Immunomodulatory effect of human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells on lymphocytes

Changhui Zhou, Bo Yang, Yi Tian, Hongliang Jiao, Wendi Zheng, Jian Wang, Fangxia Guan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

129 Scopus citations

Abstract

Studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have low immunogenicity and immune regulation. Human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly provides a new source for MSCs that are highly proliferative and have multi-differentiation potential. To investigate immunomodulatory effects of human Wharton's jelly cells (WJCs) on lymphocytes, we successfully isolated MSCs from human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly. WJCs expressed MSC markers but low levels of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-ABC and no HLA-DR. These results indicate that WJCs have low immunogenicity. Both WJCs and their culture supernatant could inhibit the proliferation of phytohemagglutinin-stimulated human peripheral blood lymphocytes and mouse splenocytes. Additionally, WJCs suppressed secretion of transforming growth factor-β1 and interferon-γ by human peripheral blood lymphocytes. We conclude that the immunomodulatory effect of WJCs may be related to direct cell contact and inhibition of cytokine secretion by human peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)33-38
Number of pages6
JournalCellular Immunology
Volume272
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Immunomodulatory
  • Interferon-γ
  • Lymphocytes
  • Mesenchymal stem cells
  • Transforming growth factor-β1
  • Wharton's jelly

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology

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