MiR-200c-3p maintains stemness and proliferative potential in adipose-derived stem cells by counteracting senescence mechanisms

PLoS One. 2021 Sep 17;16(9):e0257070. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257070. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) are promising therapeutic tools in regenerative medicine because they possess self-renewal, differentiation and immunomodulatory capacities. After isolation, ASCs are passaged multiple times in vitro passages to obtain a sufficient amount of cells for clinical applications. During this time-consuming procedure, ASCs become senescent and less proliferative, compromising their clinical efficacy. Here, we sought to investigate how in vitro passages impact ASC proliferation/senescence and expression of immune regulatory proteins. MicroRNAs are pivotal regulators of ASC physiology. Particularly, miR-200c is known to maintain pluripotency and targets the immune checkpoint Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). We therefore investigated its involvement in these critical characteristics of ASCs during in vitro passages. We found that when transiently expressed, miR-200c-3p promotes proliferation, maintains stemness, and contrasts senescence in late passaged ASCs. Additionally, this miRNA modulates PD-L1 and Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase (IDO1) expression, thus most likely interfering with the immunoregulatory capacity of ASCs. Based on our results, we suggest that expression of miR-200c-3p may prime ASC towards a self-renewing phenotype by improving their in vitro expansion. Contrarily, its inhibition is associated with senescence, reduced proliferation and induction of immune regulators. Our data underline the potential use of miR-200c-3p as a switch for ASCs reprogramming and their clinical application.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / cytology*
  • B7-H1 Antigen / metabolism
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cellular Senescence*
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Humans
  • Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase / metabolism
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism

Substances

  • B7-H1 Antigen
  • Biomarkers
  • CD274 protein, human
  • IDO1 protein, human
  • Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase
  • MIRN200 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53

Grants and funding

Initials of the authors who received each award: CM, CN, FM Grant numbers awarded to each author: CN and CM, PRIN 2017 (n. F8ZB89). FM, Ateneo 2020 grant (n. RM1201729DF399F4). URL of each funder website: not applicable The full name of each funder: Cinzia Marchese, Claudio Napoli, Francesca Megiorni The funders have read, edited and approved the manuscript before submission.