The effects of human umbilical cord-derived multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells transplantation in mice of different strains with an experimental model of parkinsonism
Authors:   Institute of Genetic and Regenerative Medicine, M. D. Strazhesko National Scientific Center of Cardiology, Clinical and Regenerative Medicine, National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Labunets Iryna ,   D. F. Chebotarev State Institute of Gerontology, National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine, Panteleymonova Tetyana , Kyryk Vitalii , Toporova Olena , Litoschenko Zoya ,   Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
Published: November 2023

One of the promising directions in cell therapy for Parkinson's disease or parkinsonism is the transplantation of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells from various sources, including human umbilical cord (hUC-MMSCs), the effectiveness of which may depend on the recipient's genotype. Objective. To compare the impact of transplanted MMSC-P on behavior, T-lymphocytes, and macrophages in the brain and lymphoid organs of mice from different lines with a toxic model of parkinsonism. Materials and methods. Adult (6-7 months old) male mice of FVB/N (genotype H-2q) and 129/Sv (genotype H-2b) strains were administered the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) at a dose of 30 mg/kg (control group), and after 7 days, hUC-MMSCs (500,000 cells) were transplanted into the tail vein. Behavioral reactions were assessed in open field, rigidity, and rotarod tests. The relative content of T-lymphocytes and activated macrophages in the brain was measured by flow cytometry, and the mass of lymphoid organs was determined. Results. Under the influence of MPTP, the number of rearings, "sniffs into the nest," body length, and step length decreased, the number of boluses increased in FVB/N and 129/Sv mice, and the number of squares crossed in the open field test decreased in 129/Sv mice. In the brain of mice from both lines, the content of activated macrophages increased, and in FVB/N mice, the number of T-lymphocytes also increased. The thymus mass decreased in mice from both lines, while the spleen mass decreased only in 129/Sv mice. The transplantation of hUC-MMSCs improved predominantly motor activity in FVB/N mice, while in 129/Sv mice, emotional activity improved, and manifestations of rigidity decreased in mice from both lines. The content of T-lymphocytes and activated macrophages in the brain of mice from both lines, as well as the thymus mass, corresponded to the values of intact animals. MMSC transplantation promoted the survival of FVB/N and 129/Sv mice with the MPTP-induced parkinsonism model. Conclusions. The manifestations of behavioral disorders, changes in the content of T-lymphocytes and activated macrophages in the brain, and the mass of lymphoid organs in mice with the MPTP-induced parkinsonism model, as well as the positive effects of transplanted hUC-MMSCs in these animals, largely depend on their genotype according to the H-2 system (analogous to the HLA system in humans). The results may provide a basis for developing personalized cell therapy for this pathology using multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells.