Secreted protein combination GAPDH/S100A8/S100A9 from human expanded potential stem cells counteracts mesenchymal...

Human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) remain the most clinically advanced adult stem cell source; however, their therapeutic potential is limited by rapid replicative senescence during ex vivo expansion. Replicative senescence in hMSCs is characterized by cell cycle arrest, acquisition of senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) activity, and secretion of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors.

We investigated whether conditioned medium derived from human extended pluripotent stem cells (hEPSCs), which possess both embryonic and extra-embryonic developmental potential beyond that of conventional embryonic stem cells (hESCs), could attenuate replicative senescence in human Wharton's Jelly-derived MSCs (WJMSCs). Using sequential ultrafiltration (10 kDa and 3 kDa) followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, we identified several proteins from hEPSC-conditioned medium. We then tested the combination of S100A9/GAPDH/S100A8 proteins for their effects on doxorubicin (DOXO)-induced and replicative senescence.

hEPSC-conditioned medium markedly attenuated replicative senescence in hMSCs. Notably, the combination of S100A9/GAPDH/S100A8 proteins not only mitigated doxorubicin-induced senescence but also counteracted replicative senescence, as evidenced by a significant reduction in SA-β-Gal-positive cells and downregulated mRNA expression of senescence-associated genes, including p16, p21, and the SASP factor IL-6. Furthermore, EdU incorporation assays revealed significantly enhanced proliferative capacity following treatment.

Collectively, our findings establish a defined protein combination (S100A9/GAPDH/S100A8) that counteracts both replicative and stress-induced senescence, offering a novel, cell-free strategy to enhance the clinical utility of WJMSCs.