[The effect of co-transplantation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and islet on maturation and function of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells in recipient mice].

AIM

To investigate the effect of transplantation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), or co-transplantation of islet and MSCs, on maturation and function of bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs) in recipient mice.

METHODS

Bone marrow MSCs were isolated from BALB/c mice and co-cultured with bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMCs) from C57BL/6 mice at indicated ratios. The co-cultures were treated with recombinant mice granulocyte-macro-phage colony-stimulating factor (rmGM-CSF) and recombinant mice IL-4 (rmIL-4) for 7 days to induce the differentiation of DCs, with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) favoring the maturation of DCs. The differentiation markers and antigen uptake capability of DCs were analyzed by FCM. Production of Interleukin-12 in the supernatants of the DC cultures was quantified by ELISA. BALB/c-derived MSCs and islet were co-transplanted to the capsule of kidney in allogeneic C57BL/c mice. The recipient mice were assayed for their tissue morphology, blood glucose level, and the in vitro differentiation ability of their BMC into mature and functional DCs.

RESULTS

The transplantation of MSCs prevented BMC from differentiating into mature DCs, as shown by down-regulated surface markers of DCs including CD11c, CD83, CD86 and I-Ab; (P<0.05), impaired antigen uptake and decreased IL-12 secretion (P<0.01). Co-transplantation of MSCs and islet inhibited immune rejection in the allogeneic recipient mice.

CONCLUSION

Transplantation of MSCs inhibits maturation and function of monocyte-derived dendritic cells in the recipient mice, resulting in immune tolerance for the allogeneic islet.