Immunoregulatory Effects of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles on T Lymphocytes

Cell Transplant. 2015;24(12):2615-27. doi: 10.3727/096368915X687543. Epub 2015 Feb 18.

Abstract

The immunomodulatory activity of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is largely mediated by paracrine factors. We have recently shown that the immunosuppressive effects of MSCs on B lymphocytes in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) culture can be reproduced by extracellular vesicles (EVs) isolated from MSC culture supernatants. Here we investigated the effect of bone marrow-derived MSC-EVs on T cells on PBMC cultures stimulated with anti-CD3/CD28 beads. Stimulation increased the number of proliferating CD3(+) cells as well as of regulatory T cells (Tregs). Coculture with MSCs inhibited the proliferation of CD3(+) cells, with no significant changes in apoptosis. Addition of MSC-EVs to PBMCs did not affect proliferation of CD3(+) cells, but induced the apoptosis of CD3(+) cells and of the CD4(+) subpopulation and increased the proliferation and the apoptosis of Tregs. Moreover, MSC-EV treatment increased the Treg/Teff ratio and the immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10 concentration in culture medium. The activity of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), an established mediator of MSC immunosuppressive effects, was increased in supernatants of PBMCs cocultured with MSCs, but was not affected by the presence of MSC-EVs. MSC-EVs demonstrate immunomodulatory effects on T cells in vitro. However, these effects and the underlying mechanisms appear to be different from those exhibited by their cells of origin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Apoptosis / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Bone Marrow Cells / cytology
  • Bone Marrow Cells / immunology
  • CD3 Complex / immunology
  • Carrier Proteins / immunology
  • Cell Proliferation / physiology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Extracellular Vesicles / immunology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase / metabolism
  • Interleukin-10 / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / immunology*
  • Recombinant Proteins / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • CD28-binding protein, human
  • CD3 Complex
  • Carrier Proteins
  • IL10 protein, human
  • Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Interleukin-10