Mesenchymal stromal cells-derived matrix Gla protein contribute to the alleviation of experimental colitis

Cell Death Dis. 2018 Jun 7;9(6):691. doi: 10.1038/s41419-018-0734-3.

Abstract

Crohn's disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that is difficult to treat. However, previous preclinical and clinical studies have shown that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are a promising therapeutic approach, whereas the exact underlying molecular mechanisms of MSCs in treating CD remain unclear. Furthermore, the heterogeneity of MSCs, as well as the in vivo microenvironments may influence the therapeutic efficacy. In our previous study, we found that a subpopulation of mouse MSCs with a high expression of matrix Gla protein (MGP), one of the members of vitamin K-dependent protein family, possessed better immunoregulatory properties. Therefore, in this study we investigate whether the abundant MSCs-derived MGP participate in the therapeutic mechanisms for MSCs treating CD. Obvious suppression of cell proliferation and cytokine production in T cells were observed in vitro through MSCs-derived MGP. Moreover, MGP alleviated the clinical and histopathological severity of colonic inflammation in mouse experimental colitis models to a remarkable degree. Our results indicate that MGP might be a novel important mediator of MSCs-mediated immunomodulation in treating CD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Bone Marrow Cells / drug effects
  • Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / pharmacology
  • Calcium-Binding Proteins / therapeutic use*
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Colitis / chemically induced
  • Colitis / drug therapy*
  • Colitis / pathology
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / pharmacology
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / therapeutic use*
  • Immunomodulation / drug effects
  • Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Matrix Gla Protein
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Peritoneal Lavage
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / drug effects
  • Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid
  • Vitamin K / pharmacology

Substances

  • Calcium-Binding Proteins
  • Cytokines
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Vitamin K
  • Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid