Interferon-gamma Treatment of Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal
Stem Cells can Significantly Reduce Damage Associated with Diabetic
Peripheral Neuropathy in Mice
Authors: Yang Li-Fen , He Jun-Dong , Jiang Wei-Qi , Wang Xiao-Dan , Yang Xiao-Chun , Liang Zhi , Zhou Yi-Kun 
Published: August 2023

Background:

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy causes significant pain to patients. Umbilical
cord mesenchymal stem cells have been shown to be useful in the treatment of diabetes and its complications.
The aim of this study was to investigate whether human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells
treated with interferon-gamma can ameliorate nerve injury associated with diabetes better than human
umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells without interferon-gamma treatment.

Methods:

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells were assessed for adipogenic differentiation,
osteogenic differentiation, and proliferation ability. Vonfry and a hot disc pain tester were used to evaluate
tactile sensation and thermal pain sensation in mice. Hematoxylin-eosin and TUNEL staining were
performed to visualize sciatic nerve fiber lesions and Schwann cell apoptosis in diabetic mice. Western
blotting was used to detect expression of the apoptosis-related proteins Bax, B-cell lymphoma-2, and
caspase-3 in mouse sciatic nerve fibers and Schwann cells. Real-Time Quantitative PCR was used to detect
mRNA levels of the C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 2, C-X-C motif
chemokine ligand 9, and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 in mouse sciatic nerve fibers and Schwann
cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect levels of the inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-
1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α in serum and Schwann cells.

Results:

The adipogenic differentiation capacity, osteogenic differentiation capacity, and proliferation
ability of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells were enhanced after interferon-gamma treatment.
Real-Time Quantitative PCR revealed that interferon-gamma promoted expression of the adipogenic
markers, PPAR-γ and CEBP-α, as well as of the osteogenic markers secreted phosphoprotein 1, bone
gamma-carboxyglutamate protein, collagen type I alpha1 chain, and Runt-related transcription factor 2.
The results of hematoxylin-eosin and TUNEL staining showed that pathological nerve fiber damage and
Schwann cell apoptosis were reduced after the injection of interferon-gamma-treated human umbilical
cord mesenchymal stem cells. Expression of the apoptosis-related proteins, caspase-3 and Bax, was significantly
reduced, while expression of the anti-apoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma-2 was significantly
increased. mRNA levels of the cell chemokines, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1, C-X-C motif chemokine
ligand 2, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 9, and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10, were significantly
reduced, and levels of the inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis
factor-α, were decreased. Tactile and thermal pain sensations were improved in diabetic mice.

Conclusion:

Interferon-gamma treatment of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells enhanced osteogenic
differentiation, adipogenic differentiation, and proliferative potential. It can enhance the ability of human
umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells to alleviate damage to diabetic nerve fibers and Schwann cells, in
addition to improving the neurological function of diabetic mice.