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Effect of efferocytosis of apoptotic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on C57BL/6 peritoneal macrophages function

Maryam Ghahremani Piraghaj1, Sara Soudi2, Hossein Ghanbarian3

  • 1Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Life Sciences
|October 6, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Phagocytic clearance of apoptotic Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (AD-MSCs) promotes macrophage M2 polarization. This process enhances anti-inflammatory functions and regulatory capacity in macrophages.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Stem Cell Research

Background:

  • Phagocytosis of apoptotic cells, known as efferocytosis, influences macrophage polarization.
  • Macrophages can adopt M2 phenotypes, characterized by anti-inflammatory and regulatory functions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether efferocytosis of apoptotic Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (AD-MSCs) induces M2 polarization in macrophages.
  • To assess the impact of AD-MSC efferocytosis on macrophage cytokine production, phagocytic capacity, and arginase activity.

Main Methods:

  • Macrophages were incubated with apoptotic AD-MSCs.
  • Interleukin-10 (IL-10), transforming growth factor-alpha (TNFα), and nitric oxide (NO) production were measured after 48 hours.
  • Phagocytosis ability and arginase activity were subsequently analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Apoptotic AD-MSCs significantly reduced TNFα and NO production by macrophages.
  • A notable increase in IL-10 levels was observed in macrophages after efferocytosis.
  • Enhanced phagocytosis ability and increased arginase activity were detected in macrophages.

Conclusions:

  • Efferocytosis of AD-MSCs effectively shifts macrophage phenotype towards a regulatory and anti-inflammatory profile.
  • This interaction highlights a mechanism by which MSCs modulate the immune microenvironment.
Keywords:
Apoptotic cellsEfferocytosisMacrophagesMesenchymal stem cells

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