Leveraging Cell Migration Dynamics to Discriminate Between Senescent and Presenescent Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

The suboptimal clinical performance of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) has raised concerns about their therapeutic potential. One major contributing factor to this issue is the heterogeneous nature of hMSCs. Senescent cell accumulation during stem cell expansion is a key driver of MSC heterogeneity. Current methodologies to eradicate senescent hMSCs have either shown limited success or lack clinical relevance. This study leverages the inherent capacity of hMSCs to migrate toward damaged tissues as a means to discern senescent from presenescent stem cells. Given the established deficiency of senescent cells to migrate through physiologically relevant environments, we hypothesized that a microfluidic device, designed to emulate key facets of in vivo cell motility, could serve as a platform for identifying presenescent cells.

We employed a Y-shaped microchannel assay, which allows fine-tuning of fluid flow rates and the degree of confinement.

Highly migratory hMSCs detected by the device not only demonstrate increased speed, smaller size, and higher proliferative capacity but also manifest reduced DNA damage and senescence compared to non-migratory cells. Additionally, this assay detects presenescent cells in experiments with mixed early and late passage cells. The introduction of fluid flow through the device can further increase the fraction of highly motile stem cells, improving the assay's effectiveness to remove senescent hMSCs.

Collectively, this assay facilitates the detection and isolation of a highly potent stem cell subpopulation. Given the positive correlation between the migratory potential of administered MSCs and the long-term clinical outcome, delivering homogeneous, highly motile presenescent hMSCs may benefit patient outcomes.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12195-024-00807-0.