Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 17, 2025
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Regulation of Macrophage Phagocytosis; Quantitation and Imaging
Published on: July 16, 2021
Effect of gingival mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes on inflammatory macrophages in a high-lipid
Yalong Zhang1, Zhiguo Wang2, Bohong Shi3
1Department of Stomatology, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, No. 16 Jiangsu Road, Qingdao 266003, Shandong, China; School of Stomatology of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to examine the effect of gingival mesenchymal stem cells derived exosomes (GMSC-Exos) on lipopolysaccharide/interferon-gamma (LPS/INF-γ)-induced inflammatory macrophages in a high-lipid microenvironment.
Materials And Methods:
Exosomes were obtained by culturing gingival mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs) in alpha-MEM with exosome-free fetal bovine serum for 48 h. The control group was produced in vitro by inducing human acute monocytic leukemia cells (THP-1 cells) into naïve macrophages (M0). Inflammatory macrophages (M1) were made by activating M0 macrophages with LPS/IFN-γ. These M1 macrophages were treated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) to create the high-lipid group, of which some macrophages were further treated with GMSC-Exos for 24 h to form the GMSC-Exos group. Supernatants were collected, and total RNA were extracted for downstream analysis. The expression of surface markers in macrophages were analyzed by flow cytometry. The lipid accumulation level was assessed by oil red O staining.
Results:
Exosomes were successfully isolated from GMSC medium. The GMSC-Exos group showed lower Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNF-α), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and cluster of differentiation 86 (CD86) expression levels than the high-lipid group, and the highest levels of Interleukin-10 (IL-10) among all groups. The GMSC-Exos group showed significant reductions in TNF-α levels than the high-lipid group, and significant escalations in IL-10 levels than the other two groups. Oil red o Staining showed that lipid accumulation in macrophages was inhibited in the GMSC-Exos group.
Conclusions:
GMSC-Exos reduce the release level and expression of inflammatory factors, inhibit lipid accumulation, and promote the polarization of pro-inflammatory macrophages into anti-inflammatory phenotype in a high-lipid microenvironment.
Insights
Gingival mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (GMSC-Exos) reduce inflammatory markers and lipid accumulation in macrophages. These exosomes promote a shift from pro-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory macrophage phenotypes in high-lipid conditions.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Macrophages play a critical role in inflammatory responses.
- High-lipid environments can induce pro-inflammatory macrophage phenotypes.
- Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes show therapeutic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of GMSC-Exos on inflammatory macrophages in a high-lipid environment.
- To assess the impact of GMSC-Exos on inflammatory markers and lipid accumulation.
Main Methods:
- Gingival mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs) were cultured to isolate exosomes (GMSC-Exos).
- Human acute monocytic leukemia (THP-1) cells were differentiated into macrophages.
- Macrophages were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide/interferon-gamma (LPS/IFN-γ) and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) to create a high-lipid inflammatory model.
- GMSC-Exos were applied to the macrophages, and outcomes were analyzed via flow cytometry and oil red O staining.
Main Results:
- GMSC-Exos treatment significantly reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) and the M1 marker CD86.
- GMSC-Exos treatment increased the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10.
- Oil red O staining demonstrated inhibited lipid accumulation in macrophages treated with GMSC-Exos.
Conclusions:
- GMSC-Exos effectively mitigate inflammation in macrophages within a high-lipid milieu.
- GMSC-Exos inhibit lipid accumulation and modulate macrophage polarization towards an anti-inflammatory phenotype.
- GMSC-Exos represent a promising therapeutic strategy for lipid-associated inflammatory conditions.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:19Mesenchymal Stem Cells
01:38Inflammation