Objective: To investigate the effects of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs) combined with estrogen on regulatory T cells (Tregs) in patients with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI).
Methods: hADSCs were isolated by enzymatic digestion and identified by flow cytometry. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from POI patients and healthy controls. PBMCs were cultured in the following experimental groups: the control group, hADSC group, estrogen group and combined group. The PBMCs in the hADSC group were co-cultured with hADSCs at concentrations of 1×104, 2×104, or 1×105 cells/well, and the estrogen group was co-cultured with 10-9, 10-8, or 10-7mol/L 17β-estradiol. Cell proliferation was measured with the CCK-8 assay. The percentage of CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ Tregs was measured by flow cytometry. The expression levels of Foxp3, TGF-β1 and IFN-γ were measured by real-time PCR.
Results: Treatment with hADSCs, estrogen and their combination promoted Tregs differentiation of PBMCs from POI patients and healthy controls. An increase in the percentage of CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3+ Tregs was observed when PBMCs were co-cultured with hADSCs, 17β-estradiol and their combination. Foxp3 and TGF-β1 mRNA expression was higher and IFN-γ mRNA expression was lower in the hADSCs, estrogen and combined groups than in the control group.
Conclusion: Combined treatment with hADSCs and estrogen played an immunomodulatory role by promoting Tregs proliferation, thereby potentially improving impaired ovarian function.
Keywords: 17β-estradiol; Human adipose-derived stem cells; Premature ovarian insufficiency; Regulatory T cells.
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