Mechanically Stretched Mesenchymal Stem Cells Can Reduce the Effects of LPS-Induced Injury on the Pulmonary Microvascular Endothelium Barrier

• Main Authors: Jin-ze Li, Shan-shan Meng, Xiu-Ping Xu, Yong-bo Huang, Pu Mao, Yi-min Li, Yi Yang, Hai-bo Qiu, Chun Pan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hindawi Limited 2020-01-01
• Series: Stem Cells International
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/8861407

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may improve the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, few studies have investigated the effects of mechanically stretched -MSCs (MS-MSCs) in in vitro models of ARDS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential therapeutic effects of MS-MSCs on pulmonary microvascular endothelium barrier injuries induced by LPS. We introduced a cocultured model of pulmonary microvascular endothelial cell (EC) and MSC medium obtained from MSCs with or without mechanical stretch. We found that Wright-Giemsa staining revealed that MSC morphology changed significantly and cell plasma shrank separately after mechanical stretch. Cell proliferation of the MS-MSC groups was much lower than the untreated MSC group; expression of cell surface markers did not change significantly. Compared to the medium from untreated MSCs, inflammatory factors elevated statistically in the medium from MS-MSCs. Moreover, the paracellular permeability of endothelial cells treated with LPS was restored with a medium from MS-MSCs, while LPS-induced EC apoptosis decreased. In addition, protective effects on the remodeling of intercellular junctions were observed when compared to LPS-treated endothelial cells. These data demonstrated that the MS-MSC groups had potential therapeutic effects on the LPS-treated ECs; these results might be useful in the treatment of ARDS.