Human Primary Mesenchymal Stem Cells Fail to Recover Full Osteogenic Differentiation Potential Following Washout of
Abdullah Shaito1,2, Mira Abou Daher3,4, Nadine El Hajj4
1Biomedical Research Center and Department of Biomedical Sciences at College of Health Sciences, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar.
Introduction:
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are promoted as safer alternatives to combustible cigarettes. However, the health burden and effects of their long-term use remain unidentified. This study evaluates the extent and reversibility of cellular damage in human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), following in vitro exposure to cigarette and e-cigarette smoke aerosols.
Methods:
Human primary MSCs were seeded and exposed to combustible or e-cigarette smoke aerosol extracts for 2 or 3 weeks. MSCs were then assessed for survival and membrane protein expression and distribution. In addition, osteogenic differentiation potential was examined after addition of a differentiation cocktail made up of dexamethasone, ascorbic acid, and β-glycerophosphate.
Results:
MSC-mediated cellular repair, described in terms of MSC proliferation and osteogenic differentiation, was compromised by both cigarette and e-cigarette aerosol extracts. MSCs exhibited partial recovery of their proliferative ability after smoke washout. Their membrane proteins were downregulated, and their distribution was altered on the plasma membrane. MSCs showed signs of early osteogenic differentiation following washout of e-cigarette, but matrix mineralization (indicative of terminal differentiation) was hampered, similarly to combustible cigarette aerosols.
Conclusions:
These results provide insights on the safety of e-cigarettes and the potential risks they pose to regenerative health, help explain impaired tissue repair mechanisms in chronic smokers, and can serve to inform future public policies on tobacco control.
Implications:
This study provides insight on the impact of electronic cigarettes on repair mechanisms mediated by stem cells. Importantly, it also examines the consequences of discontinuing combustible or electronic cigarette smoking on stem cell outcomes, notably proliferation, cell integrity, and differentiation potential. Findings from this work feed into the growing evidence on the harmful and persistent effects of electronic smoking modalities.
More Related Videos
09:30A Microcontroller Operated Device for the Generation of Liquid Extracts from Conventional Cigarette Smoke and Electronic Cigarette Aerosol
Published on: January 18, 2018
09:07Author Spotlight: Development and Characterization of an In Vitro Model to Study Chronic Cigarette Smoke Exposure and Its Impact on Airway Epithelial Cells in COPD Research
Published on: July 12, 2024
