PD-L1 is increased in the spinal cord and infiltrating lymphocytes in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis is a mouse model of human multiple sclerosis with similar pathology and pathogenesis. Thl cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. This study determined the potential effect of programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 in the pathogenesis of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis induced by injecting myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein, complete Freund＇s adjuvant and Bordetella pertussis toxin into C57BL/6J mice. Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis mice developed disease and showed in- flammatory changes in the central nervous system by hematoxylin-eosin staining of spinal cord pathological sections, demyelination by Luxol fast-blue staining and clinical manifestations. The expression of programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 in mice was detected by immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and western blot anatysis. The expression of programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 in the spinal cord and splenocytes of mice was significantly increased compared with normal mice. Our findings suggest the involvement of programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 in the pathogenesis of ex- perimental allergic encephalomyelitis and suggest this should be studied in multiple sclerosis.

Human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells loaded on linear ordered collagen scaffold improves functional recovery after completely transected spinal cord injury in canine

Traumatic spinal cord injury(SCI) is a major challenge in the clinic. In this study, we sought to examine the synergistic effects of linear ordered collagen scaffold(LOCS) and human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells(hPMSCs) when transplanted into completely transected beagle dogs. After 36 weeks observation, we found that LOCS+hPMSCs implants promoted better hindlimb locomotor recovery than was observed in the non-treatment(control) group and LOCS group. Histological analysis showed that the regenerated tissue after treatment was well integrated with the host tissue, and dramatically reduced the volume of cystic and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans(CSPGs) expression. Furthermore, the LOCS+hPMSCs group also showed more neuron-specific βIII-tubulin(Tuj-1)-and NeuN-positive neurons in the lesion area, as well as axonal regeneration, remyelination and synapse formation in the lesion site. Additionally, dogs in the LOCS+hPMSCs group experienced enhanced sprouting of both ascending(CGRP-positive) sensory fibers and descending(5-HT-and TH-positive) motor fibers at the lesion area. All these data together suggested that the combined treatment had beneficial effects on neuronal regeneration and functional improvement in a canine complete transection model. Therefore, LOCS+hPMSCs implantation holds a great promise for bridging the nerve defect and may be clinically useful in the near future.

Characterization and immunogenicity of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells under osteoporotic conditions

Mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)are characterized by their multilineage potential and low immunogenicity.However,the properties of MSCs under pathological conditions are unclear.The current study investigated the differentiation potential and immunological characteristics of bone marrow-derived MSCs from ovariectomized-osteoporotic rats(OP-BMSCs).Although the expression of cell morphology-and stemness-related surface markers was similar between OP-BMSCs and BMSCs from healthy rats(H-BMSCs),the proliferation rate was significantly decreased compared with that of H-BMSCs.Regarding multilineage potential,osteogenesis and chondrogenesis abilities of OP-BMSCs decreased,but the adipogenesis ability was significantly enhanced compared with that of H-BMSCs.As expected,decreased osteogenesis following osteogenic induction resulted in reduced expression ofβ-catenin,osteocalcin,and runt-related transcription factor 2 in OP-BMSCs.Remarkably,the expression of the co-stimulatory proteins CD40 and CD80 was significantly higher,whereas the expression of the negative costimulatory molecule programmed cell death ligand 1 was significantly lower in the OP-BMSCs than that in H-BMSCs.Consequently,H-BMSCs inhibited the proliferation and secretion of inflammatory cytokines from anti-CD3 antibody-activated T cells,whereas OP-BMSCs did not.These results indicate that decreased osteogenesis and increased immunogenicity of OPBMSCs contribute to bone loss in osteoporosis.

Early development and functional properties of tryptase/chymase double-positive mast cells from human pluripotent stem cells

Mast cells (MCs) play a pivotal role in the hypersensitivity reaction by regulating the innate and adaptive immune responses. Humans have two types of MCs. The first type, termed MCTC, is found in the skin and other connective tissues and expresses both tryptase and chymase, while the second, termed MCT, which only expresses tryptase, is found primarily in the mucosa. MCs induced from human adult-type CD34+ cells are reported to be of the MCT type, but the development of MCs during embryonic/fetal stages is largely unknown. Using an efficient coculture system, we identified that a CD34+c-kit+ cell population, which appeared prior to the emergence of CD34+CD45+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), stimulated robust production of pure Tryptase+Chymase+ MCs (MCTCs). Single-cell analysis revealed dual development directions of CD34+c-kit+ progenitors, with one lineage developing into erythro-myeloid progenitors (EMP) and the other lineage developing into HSPC. Interestingly, MCTCs derived from early CD34+c-kit+ cells exhibited strong histamine release and immune response functions. Particularly, robust release of IL-17 suggested that these early developing tissue-type MCTCs could play a central role in tumor immunity. These findings could help elucidate the mechanisms controlling early development of MCTCs and have significant therapeutic implications.