In vitro migration capacity of human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells reflects their expression of receptors for chemokines and growth factors

The homing properties of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AdMSCs) have stimulated intravenous applications for their use in stem cell therapy. However, the soluble factors and corresponding cellular receptors responsible for inducing chemotaxis of AdMSCs have not yet been reported. In the present study, the migration capacity of human AdMSCs (hAdMSCs) toward various cytokines or growth factors (GFs) and the expression of their receptors were determined. In a conventional migration assay, PDGF-AB, TGF-beta 1, and TNF-alpha showed the most effective chemoattractant activity. When AdMSCs were pre-incubated with various chemokines or GF, and then allowed to migrate toward medium containing 10% FBS, those preincubated with TNF-alpha showed the highest migratory activity. Next, hAdMSCs were either preincubated or not with TNF-alpha, and allowed to migrate in response to various GFs or chemoldnes. Prestimulation with TNF-alpha increased the migration activity of hAdMSCs compared to unstimulated hAdMSCs. When analyzed by FACS and RT-PCR methods, hAdMSCs were found to express C-C chemokine receptor type 1 (CCR1), CCR7, C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4), CXCR5, CXCR6, EGF receptor, fibroblast growth factor receptor 1, TGF-beta receptor 2, TNF receptor superfamily member 1A, PDGF receptor A and PDGF receptor B at both the protein and the mRNA levels. These results indicate that the migration capacity of hAdMSCs is controlled by various GFs and chemokines. Prior in vitro modulation of the homing capacity of hAdMSCs could stimulate their movement into injured sites in vivo when administered intravenously, thereby improving their therapeutic potential.