Platelet Microparticles Accelerate Proliferation and Growth of Mesenchymal Stem Cells through Longevity-Related Genes

Area of Science:

• Stem Cell Biology
• Regenerative Medicine
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) possess self-renewal and differentiation capabilities.
• In vitro expansion of MSCs leads to limited lifespan and altered cellular features, restricting their therapeutic applications.
• Platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs) are rich in proteins, microRNAs, and growth factors, offering potential to modulate MSC behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of PMPs on the expression of key aging and longevity genes (hTERT, c-MYC, p16, p53, p21) in UC-MSCs.
• To assess the impact of PMPs on the population doubling time (PDT) of UC-MSCs.
• To evaluate PMPs as a potential strategy for extending MSC lifespan.

Main Methods:

• Umbilical cord MSCs (UC-MSCs) were cultured to 30% confluency and treated with PMPs (50 µg/mL).
• Population doubling time (PDT) was measured for both PMP-treated and control groups.
• Quantitative real-time PCR was employed to examine the expression levels of hTERT, c-MYC, p16, p53, and p21 at multiple time points (5 days, 30 days, and post-freeze-thaw).

Main Results:

• PMP-treated UC-MSCs exhibited a significantly shorter PDT compared to the control group (P<0.050).
• PMPs significantly upregulated the expression of hTERT and c-MYC.
• PMPs significantly downregulated the expression of aging-related genes p16, p21, and p53, particularly evident after five days of treatment (P<0.050).

Conclusions:

• PMPs demonstrate potential as a safe and effective agent for prolonging the lifespan of UC-MSCs.
• The observed modulation of aging and longevity gene expression by PMPs supports their role in enhancing MSC longevity.
• Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and explore the underlying mechanisms for therapeutic applications.