Single-Cell Transcriptomics of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Reveal Age-Related Cellular Subpopulation Depletion and Impaired Regenerative Function.
Dokumenttyp:
Journal Article
Autor(en):
Khong, Sacha M L; Lee, Ming; Kosaric, Nina; Khong, Danika M; Dong, Yixiao; Hopfner, Ursula; Aitzetmüller, Matthias M; Duscher, Dominik; Schäfer, Richard; Gurtner, Geoffrey C
Abstract:
Although bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) are widely recognized as promising therapeutic agents, the age-related impacts on cellular function remain largely uncharacterized. In this study, we found that BM-MSCs from young donors healed wounds in a xenograft model faster compared with their aged counterparts (p < .001). Given this significant healing advantage, we then used single-cell transcriptomic analysis to provide potential molecular insights into these observations. We found that the young cells contained a higher proportion of cells characterized by a higher expression of genes involved in tissue regeneration. In addition, we identified a unique, quiescent subpopulation that was exclusively present in young donor cells. Together, these findings may explain a novel mechanism for the enhanced healing capacity of young stem cells and may have implications for autologous cell therapy in the extremes of age. Stem Cells 2019; 37:240-246.