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Updated: Nov 11, 2025
Isolation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells and their Cultivation on the Porous Bone Matrix
Published on: February 9, 2015
Mesenchymal stem cells cultured in serum-free medium ameliorate experimental peritoneal fibrosis
Kohei Nagasaki1, Ayumu Nakashima2,3, Ryo Tamura1
1Department of Nephrology, Hiroshima University Hospital, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima, Hiroshima, 734-8551, Japan.
Background:
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) provide potential treatments for peritoneal fibrosis. However, MSCs cultured in media containing serum bring risks of infection and other problems. In this study, we compared the effect of human MSCs in serum-free medium (SF-MSCs) on peritoneal fibrosis with that of MSCs cultured in medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum (10%MSCs).
Methods:
Peritoneal fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneally injecting 0.1% chlorhexidine gluconate (CG). SF-MSCs or 10%MSCs were intraperitoneally administered 30 min after the CG injection. Ten days after the CG and MSC injections, we performed histological analyses and peritoneal equilibrium testing. In the in vitro experiments, we used transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-stimulated human peritoneal mesothelial cells incubated in conditioned medium from MSCs to examine whether the SF-MSCs showed enhanced ability to produce antifibrotic humoral factors.
Results:
Histological staining showed that the SF-MSCs significantly suppressed CG-induced cell accumulation and thickening compared with that of the 10%MSCs. Additionally, the SF-MSCs significantly inhibited mesenchymal cell expression, extracellular matrix protein deposition and inflammatory cell infiltration. Peritoneal equilibration testing showed that compared with administering 10%MSCs, administering SF-MSCs significantly reduced the functional impairments of the peritoneal membrane. The in vitro experiments showed that although the conditioned medium from MSCs suppressed TGF-β1 signaling, the suppression did not significantly differ between the SF-MSCs and 10%MSCs.
Conclusions:
Serum-free culture conditions can enhance the antifibrotic abilities of MSCs by suppressing inflammation. Administering ex vivo expanded SF-MSCs may be a potential therapy for preventing peritoneal fibrotic progression.
Insights
Serum-free cultured mesenchymal stem cells (SF-MSCs) show enhanced antifibrotic effects in peritoneal fibrosis models. These SF-MSCs significantly reduce fibrosis and inflammation compared to serum-cultured MSCs, offering a promising therapeutic strategy.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Cell Therapy
- Fibrosis Research
Background:
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are investigated for peritoneal fibrosis treatment.
- Serum-containing media for MSC culture pose infection and other risks.
- This study compares serum-free MSCs (SF-MSCs) with serum-cultured MSCs (10%MSCs) for peritoneal fibrosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of SF-MSCs in treating peritoneal fibrosis.
- To compare the antifibrotic potential of SF-MSCs versus MSCs cultured in serum.
- To investigate the underlying mechanisms of SF-MSC antifibrotic activity.
Main Methods:
- Peritoneal fibrosis was induced using chlorhexidine gluconate (CG) in a rat model.
- SF-MSCs and 10%MSCs were administered intraperitoneally post-induction.
- Histological analysis, peritoneal equilibrium testing, and in vitro TGF-β1 assays were performed.
Main Results:
- SF-MSCs significantly suppressed CG-induced peritoneal fibrosis, including cell accumulation and thickening.
- SF-MSCs reduced mesenchymal cell markers, extracellular matrix deposition, and inflammatory cell infiltration.
- Peritoneal equilibration tests showed SF-MSCs improved peritoneal membrane function more than 10%MSCs.
Conclusions:
- Serum-free culture enhances MSC antifibrotic properties by suppressing inflammation.
- Ex vivo expanded SF-MSCs represent a potential therapy for preventing peritoneal fibrotic progression.
- SF-MSCs offer a safer and more effective alternative to serum-cultured MSCs for peritoneal fibrosis.
