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Stimulatory effect of HGF‐overexpressing adipose tissue‐derived mesenchymal stem cells on thymus regeneration in a rat thymus involution model
Author(s) -
Jung WooSung,
Han SeiMyoung,
Kim SungMin,
Kim MiEun,
Lee JunSik,
Seo KyoungWon,
Youn HwaYoung,
Lee HeeWoo
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
cell biology international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.932
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1095-8355
pISSN - 1065-6995
DOI - 10.1002/cbin.10306
Subject(s) - involution (esoterism) , hepatocyte growth factor , thymocyte , mesenchymal stem cell , thymic involution , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , stem cell , adipose tissue , medicine , endocrinology , t cell , immunology , immune system , receptor , biochemistry , consciousness , neuroscience
The thymus is the central lymphoid organ providing a unique and essential microenvironment for T‐cell precursor development into mature functionally competent T‐lymphocytes. Thus, it is important to develop the strategies for enhancing thymic regeneration from involution induced by a variety of clinical treatments and conditions. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) promotes proliferation in a variety of cell types. We have used stem cell‐based HGF gene therapy to enhance regeneration from acute thymic involution. HGF‐overexpressing human adipose tissue‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (HGF‐hATMSCs) were generated by liposomal transfection with the pMEX expression vector, constructed by inserting the HGF gene. Significantly increased HGF expression in these cells was confirmed by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. HGF produced by HGF‐hATMSCs enhanced the proliferation of a mouse thymic epithelial cell line and the expression of interleukin‐7 in vitro. We also examined the effect of HGF‐hATMSCs on thymic regeneration in rats with acute thymic involution. Significant increases in thymus size and weight, as well as the number of thymocytes (especially, early thymocyte progenitors), were seen in the HGF‐hATMSCs‐treated rats compared to saline‐treated control animals. A stimulatory effect of HGF‐hATMSCs on thymic regeneration has therefore been shown, highlighting the clinical value of HGF‐hATMSCs for treating thymic involution.