Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate depression by regulating Jmjd3 and microglia polarization in myocardial infarction mice.

RATIONALE

Microglia regulate the inflammation of the central nervous system and play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of depression. Moreover, Jmjd3 is involved in microglia polarization. Mounting studies reported the beneficial effects of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUC-MSCs) on myocardial infarction (MI), Unfortunately, its effects on MI-induced depression and its underlying mechanisms remain unclear.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to investigate the antidepressant effects of HUC-MSCs and their impacts on microglia polarization.

METHODS

In the current study, the MI model was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. Mice were injected with HUC-MSCs or PBS through the tail vein 1week after the surgery. The sucrose preference test (SPT), tail suspension test (TST), and forced swim test (FST) were performed to evaluate depression-like behavior. Cardiac function and myocardial fibrosis were evaluated at the end of the experiments. Immunofluorescence, Western blot, ELISA, and qRT-PCR were used to detect the levels of Jmjd3 and microglia-related markers and inflammatory factors.

RESULTS

HUC-MSC treatment significantly improved cardiac function, reduced the area of myocardial fibrosis, and alleviated depression-like behaviors induced by MI. HUC-MSCs inhibited the expression of Jmjd3 and promoted the switch of microglia in the prefrontal cortex, hypothalamus, and hippocampus from M1 to M2, thereby decreased the level of pro-inflammatory factors.

CONCLUSION

HUC-MSCs have cardioprotective and potential anti-depressive effects induced by MI related to the inflammation improved by regulating Jmjd3 and microglial polarization.