Published online Apr 26, 2024. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v16.i4.434
Peer-review started: December 30, 2023
First decision: January 23, 2024
Revised: February 5, 2024
Accepted: March 18, 2024
Article in press: March 18, 2024
Published online: April 26, 2024
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have significant therapeutic potential. The biological properties of MSCs seem to be affected by serial passage and stress factors.
Despite their regenerative and immunomodulatory properties, the therapeutic applications of MSCs are sub-optimal and short-lived. The effects of stress factors on MSCs at various serial passages on their biological characteristics have not been recognized yet.
This study aimed to investigate the effects of stress factors (high glucose and severe hypoxia) on the biological characteristics of MSCs at different passages, in order to optimize the therapeutic applications of MSCs.
Proliferation, senescence and apoptosis of MSCs exposed to severe hypoxia and high glucose were evaluated measuring WST-1, senescence-associated beta-galactosidase, and annexin V, respectively.
Severe hypoxia and high glucose affected the biological responses of human adipose tissue-derived MSCs and these responses varied according to the serial passages. At high passages, a reverse relationship between senescence and apoptosis was observed, suggesting that senescence in MSCs may represent a protective mechanism against stress.
This study showed that the passage number of MSCs could represent a significant factor to be taken into consideration when choosing the optimal MSCs for specific therapeutic applications.
The practice of limiting MSCs used in regenerative therapies into the earlier passages should be reviewed to expand and optimize the therapeutic potential of MSCs.