Multipotent Menstrual Blood Stromal Stem Cells: Isolation, Characterization, and Differentiation

The stromal stem cell fraction of many tissues and organs has demonstrated to exhibit stem cell properties such as the capability of self-renewal and multipotency, allowing for multilineage differentiation. In this study, we characterize a population of stromal stem cells derived from menstrual blood (MenSCs). We demonstrate that MenSCs are easily expandable to clinical relevance and express multipotent markers such as Oct-4, SSEA-4, and c-kit at the molecular and cellular level. Moreover, we demonstrate the multipotency of MenSCs by directionally differentiating MenSCs into chondrogenic, adipogenic, osteogenic, neurogenic, and cardiogenic cell lineages. These studies demonstrate the plasticity of MenSCs for potential research in regenerative medicine. </jats:p

The Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders Using Umbilical Cord Blood and Menstrual Blood-Derived Stem Cells

Stem cell transplantation is a potentially important means of treatment for a number of disorders. Two different stem cell populations of interest are mononuclear umbilical cord blood cells and menstrual blood-derived stem cells. These cells are relatively easy to obtain, appear to be pluripotent, and are immunologically immature. These cells, particularly umbilical cord blood cells, have been studied as either single or multiple injections in a number of animal models of neurodegenerative disorders with some degree of success, including stroke, Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Sanfilippo syndrome type B. Evidence of anti-inflammatory effects and secretion of specific cytokines and growth factors that promote cell survival, rather than cell replacement, have been detected in both transplanted cells. </jats:p

Dynamic Changes in Erectile Function and Histological Architecture After Intracorporal Injection of Human Placental Stem Cells in a Pelvic Neurovascular Injury Rat Model

Abstract Introduction The human placenta provides a bountiful and noncontroversial source of stem cells which have the potential for regeneration of injured tissue. These cells may restore erectile function after neurovascular tissue injury such as that seen in radical pelvic surgeries and pelvic trauma. Aim To determine the effect of human placenta–derived stem cells on erectile function recovery and histological changes at various time points in a cavernous nerve injury rat model and to study the fate of injected stem cells throughout the regenerative process. Methods Human placental stem cells (PSCs) were dual labeled with monomeric Katushka far red fluorescent protein (mKATE)-renLUC using a lentivirus vector. A pelvic neurovascular injury–induced erectile dysfunction model was established in male, athymic rats by crushing the cavernous nerves and ligating the internal pudendal neurovascular bundles, bilaterally. At the time of defect creation, nonlabeled PSCs were injected into the corpus cavernosum at a concentration of 2.5 × 106 cells/0.2 mL. The phosphate-buffered saline–treated group served as the negative control group, and age-matched rats (age-matched controls) were used as the control group. Erectile function, histomorphological analyses, and Western blot were assessed at 1, 6, and 12 weeks after model creation. The distribution of implanted, dual-labeled PSCs was monitored using an in vivo imaging system (IVIS). Implanted cells were further tracked by detection of mKATE fluorescence in histological sections. Main Outcome Measure The main outcome measure includes intracavernous pressure/mean arterial pressure ratio, neural, endothelial, smooth muscle cell regeneration, mKATE fluorescence, and IVIS imaging. Results The ratio of intracavernous pressure to mean arterial pressure significantly increased in PSC-injected rats compared with phosphate-buffered saline controls (P &amp;lt; 0.05) at the 6- and 12-week time points, reaching 72% and 68% of the age-matched control group, respectively. Immunofluorescence staining and Western blot analysis showed significant increases in markers of neurons (84.3%), endothelial cells (70.2%), and smooth muscle cells (70.3%) by 6 weeks in treatment groups compared with negative controls. These results were maintained through 12 weeks. IVIS analysis showed luminescence of implanted PSCs in the injected corpora immediately after injection and migration of cells to the sites of injury, including the incision site and periprostatic vasculature by day 1. mKATE fluorescence data revealed the presence of PSCs in the penile corpora and major pelvic ganglion at 1 and 3 days postoperatively. At 7 days, immunofluorescence of penile PSCs had disappeared and was diminished in the major pelvic ganglion. Clinical Implications Placenta-derived stem cells may represent a future “off-the-shelf” treatment to mitigate against development of erectile dysfunction after radical prostatectomy or other forms of pelvic injury. Strength &amp; Limitations Single dose injection of PSCs after injury resulted in maximal functional recovery and tissue regeneration at 6 weeks, and the results were maintained through 12 weeks. Strategies to optimize adult stem cell therapy might achieve more effective outcomes for human clinical trials. Conclusion Human PSC therapy effectively restores the erectile tissue and function in this animal model. Thus, PSC therapy may provide an attractive modality to lessen the incidence of erectile dysfunction after pelvic neurovascular injury. Further improvement in tissue regeneration and functional recovery may be possible using multiple injections or systemic introduction of stem cells. </jats:sec