Alterations of Decidual Stromal Cells in Culture and their Effect on Human Pancreatic Islets in Vitro

• Several studies have shown improved outcome of islet transplantation after co-culture or co-transplantation with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). Since there is no standardized MSC source or protocol, studies revealing the mechanism behind these promising results are fundamental for further advances and for the implementation of this treatment in clinical practice. In this study, we investigated the features of decidual stromal cells (DSCs), a type of MSCs isolated from the decidual layer of human placentas, their alterations in culture and their effect on human beta-cells in vitro.Human DSCs were isolated after planned caesarian sections and characterized during culture up to passage 10. Inflammatory biomarkers were analyzed in culture medium and in lysates of DSCs and human islets. After 48 hours of co-culture, assessment of islet function by high glucose and forskolin perifusion and gene expression analysis of DSCs and islets were performed. Additionally, islets were co-cultured with pro-inflammatory cytokines to evaluate the cytoprotective ability of DSCs in different co-culture systems.DSCs were easily isolated and of maternal origin. The cells retained the typical MSC surface marker expression up to 10 passages and were to some extent able to differentiate into three mesenchymal lineages. Gene expression analysis, after culture, showed the highest number of altered genes between passage 2 and 5. DSCs had variable effect on human islet function after co-culture, where the impact appeared dependent on islet quality of the donor. DSCs increased human islet cell death when combined with cytokine stress.DSCs are an eligible MSC source, easily isolated and expanded in culture. We report on changes in gene expression during culture and an ambiguous effect on human islet function.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Cell- och molekylärbiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Cell and Molecular Biology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Decidual stromal cells

Type 1 diabetes

Islets of Langerhans

Gene expression

Medical Cell Biology

Medicinsk cellbiologi

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

ovr (subject category)