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Updated: May 4, 2026
Isolation and Characterization of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells from Human Umbilical Cord and Fetal Placenta
Published on: April 3, 2017
A study of the immune properties of human umbilical cord lining epithelial cells
Yi-Jun Cai1, Lin Huang1, Tak-Yeung Leung2
1Division of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR.
Insights
Human umbilical cord lining epithelial cells (CLECs) show low immunogenicity and possess immunosuppressive properties. These findings support their potential use in allogeneic cell therapy for wound healing with reduced inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Dermatology
Background:
- Previous studies highlighted stem cell-like properties and epidermal reconstitution capabilities of human umbilical cord lining epithelial cells (CLECs).
- The immunogenicity of CLECs remained undefined, necessitating further investigation for potential clinical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the immunogenic and immunoregulatory properties of CLECs in vitro.
- To characterize CLEC expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, co-stimulatory molecules, and cytokines.
Main Methods:
- Mixed lymphocyte culture experiments to evaluate immunoregulatory function.
- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and flow cytometry to analyze molecular expression.
- FlowCytomix assays for quantifying cytokine and growth factor production.
Main Results:
- CLECs suppressed peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation, indicating immunomodulatory effects.
- CLECs expressed non-classic MHC class I (HLA-G, HLA-E) but not MHC class II (HLA-DR) and lacked co-stimulatory molecules (CD40, CD80, CD86).
- CLECs produced a cytokine profile (lower IL-1β, TGF-β1; higher IL-4, HGF) conducive to wound healing with reduced inflammation compared to adult keratinocytes.
Conclusions:
- CLECs exhibit low immunogenicity and significant immunosuppressive function, partly due to HLA-G/HLA-E expression and absence of HLA-DR and co-stimulatory molecules.
- The cytokine and growth factor profile of CLECs favors wound healing and minimizes inflammatory responses.
- These immunomodulatory and regenerative properties support the potential clinical utility of CLECs in allogeneic cell therapy.
Background Aims:
Our previous study has demonstrated the stem cell-like properties of human umbilical cord lining epithelial cells (CLECs) and their capability for epidermal reconstitution in organotypic skin culture; however, the immunogenicity of these cells has not been clearly defined. We assessed several aspects of the immune properties of CLECs in vitro.
Methods:
We examined CLECs for their immunoregulatory function in a mixed lymphocyte culture experiment. We characterized the expression patterns of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC), co-stimulatory molecules and the pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors in CLECs by means of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, flow cytometry and FlowCytomix multiple analyte detection assays.
Results:
CLECs were found not to induce but to suppress the proliferation response of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells in a mixed lymphocyte culture assay. They did not express the MHC class II antigen HLA-DR but the non-classic MHC class I antigens HLA-G and HLA-E and lacked the expression of the co-stimulatory molecules CD40, CD80 and CD86. In addition, they produced less interleukin-1β and transforming growth factor-β1 but more interleukin-4 and hepatocyte growth factor than did adult keratinocytes, a pattern in favor of wound healing with less inflammation response.
Conclusions:
Our data suggest that CLECs have an immunosuppressive function in addition to their low immunogenicity. This could be at least partially explained by their expression of HLA-G and HLA-E molecules associated with immune tolerance and absence of HLA-DR and co-stimulatory molecules. The demonstration that CLECs produce a favorable pattern of cytokines and growth factors for wound healing provides further support for their potential clinical application in allogeneic cell therapy.
