Stem Cell Reports (Sep 2014)

Epigenetic Rejuvenation of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Derived from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

  • Joana Frobel,
  • Hatim Hemeda,
  • Michael Lenz,
  • Giulio Abagnale,
  • Sylvia Joussen,
  • Bernd Denecke,
  • Tomo Šarić,
  • Martin Zenke,
  • Wolfgang Wagner

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stemcr.2014.07.003
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 3, no. 3
pp. 414 – 422

Abstract

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Standardization of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) remains a major obstacle in regenerative medicine. Starting material and culture expansion affect cell preparations and render comparison between studies difficult. In contrast, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) assimilate toward a ground state and may therefore give rise to more standardized cell preparations. We reprogrammed MSCs into iPSCs, which were subsequently redifferentiated toward MSCs. These iPS-MSCs revealed similar morphology, immunophenotype, in vitro differentiation potential, and gene expression profiles as primary MSCs. However, iPS-MSCs were impaired in suppressing T cell proliferation. DNA methylation (DNAm) profiles of iPSCs maintained donor-specific characteristics, whereas tissue-specific, senescence-associated, and age-related DNAm patterns were erased during reprogramming. iPS-MSCs reacquired senescence-associated DNAm during culture expansion, but they remained rejuvenated with regard to age-related DNAm. Overall, iPS-MSCs are similar to MSCs, but they reveal incomplete reacquisition of immunomodulatory function and MSC-specific DNAm patterns—particularly of DNAm patterns associated with tissue type and aging.