Identification of senescent cells in multipotent mesenchymal stromal cell cultures: current methods and future directions

Publication date: Available online 25 May 2019Source: CytotherapyAuthor(s): WEICHAO Zhai, DERRICK YONG, JEHAN JOMAA EL-JAWHARI, RICHARD CUTHBERT, DENNIS MCGONAGLE, MAY WIN NAING, ELENA JONESAbstractRegardless of their tissue of origin, multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are commonly expanded in vitro for several population doublings to achieve a sufficient number of cells for therapy. Prolonged MSC expansion has been shown to result in phenotypical, morphological and gene expression changes in MSCs, which ultimately lead to the state of senescence. The presence of senescent cells in therapeutic MSC batches is undesirable because it reduces their viability, differentiation potential and trophic capabilities. Additionally, senescent cells acquire senescence-activated secretory phenotype, which may not only induce apoptosis in the neighboring host cells following MSC transplantation, but also trigger local inflammatory reactions. This review outlines the current and promising new methodologies for the identification of senescent cells in MSC cultures, with a particular emphasis on non-destructive and label-free methodologies. Technologies allowing identification of individual senescent cells, based on new surface markers, offer potential advantage for targeted senescent cell removal using new-generation senolytic agents, and subsequent production of therapeutic MSC batches fully devoid of senescent cells. Methods or a combination of methods that are non-destructive and...
Source: Cytotherapy - Category: Cytology Source Type: research