Mesenchymal Stem Cells Recruit Macrophages to Alleviate Experimental Colitis Through TGFβ1

• Main Authors: Weixin Liu, Shen Zhang, Shouzhi Gu, Lixuan Sang, Cong Dai
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cell Physiol Biochem Press GmbH & Co KG 2015-01-01
• Series: Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry
• Subjects: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs); Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS); TGFβ receptor signaling; Ulcerative colitis; Macrophages
• Online Access: http://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/369743
• ISSN: 1015-8987; 1421-9778

Background/Aims: Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been shown to alleviate dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) -induced colitis through modulation of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) receptor signaling. However, the exact molecular mechanisms are not known. Methods: Here, we transplanted primary mouse MSCs or injected TGFβ1 into mice with DSS-induced colitis. Cells were purified by flow cytometry. Gene expression was analyzed by RT-qPCR. Results: We found that MSCs significantly alleviated the DSS-induced colitis, and the major sources for TGFβ1 were macrophages that were recruited by MSCs. Specific ablation of macrophages completely abolished the anti-inflammatory effects of MSCs. On the other hand, TGFβ1 administration, without the presence of MSCs, was sufficient to reduce the severity of DSS-induced colitis. Conclusions: Taken together, our data suggest that MSCs transplantation may recruit macrophages to produce TGFβ1, which mitigates the pathology of colitis. Thus, MSCs transplantation appears to be a promising therapy for severe enteritis.