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    The VEGF‐Mediated Cytoprotective Ability of MIF‐Licensed Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in House Dust Mite‐Induced Epithelial Damage


    Dunbar, Hazel, Hawthorne, Ian J., Tunstead, Courteney, Dunlop, Molly, Volkova, Evelina, Weiss, Daniel J., Santos, Claudia C. dos, Armstrong, Michelle E., Donnelly, Seamas C. and English, Karen (2025) The VEGF‐Mediated Cytoprotective Ability of MIF‐Licensed Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in House Dust Mite‐Induced Epithelial Damage. European Journal of Immunology, 55 (1). ISSN 1521-4141

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    Abstract

    ABSTRACT Enhancing mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) therapeutic efficacy through licensing with proinflammatory cytokines is now well established. We have previously shown that macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF)‐licensed MSCs exerted significantly enhanced therapeutic efficacy in reducing inflammation in house dust mite (HDM)‐driven allergic asthma. Soluble mediators released into the MSC secretome boast cytoprotective properties equal to those associated with the cell itself. In asthma, epithelial barrier damage caused by the inhalation of allergens like HDM drives goblet cell hyperplasia. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a pivotal role in the repair and maintenance of airway epithelial integrity. Human bone marrow‐derived MSCs expressed the MIF receptors CD74, CXCR2, and CXCR4. Endogenous MIF from high MIF expressing CATT 7 bone marrow‐derived macrophages increased MSC production of VEGF through the MIF CXCR4 chemokine receptor, where preincubation with CXCR4 inhibitor mitigated this effect. CATT 7 ‐MIF licensed MSC conditioned media containing increased levels of VEGF significantly enhanced bronchial epithelial wound healing via migration and proliferation in vitro. Blocking VEGFR2 or the use of mitomycin C abrogated this effect. Furthermore, CATT 7 ‐MIF MSC CM significantly decreased goblet cell hyperplasia after the HDM challenge in vivo. This was confirmed to be VEGF‐dependent, as the use of anti‐human VEGF neutralising antibody abrogated this effect. Overall, this study highlights that MIF‐licenced MSCs show enhanced production of VEGF, which has the capacity to repair the lung epithelium.
    Item Type: Article
    Keywords: airway epithelial; house dust mite; macrophage migration inhibitory factor; mesenchymal stromal cells; vascular endothelial growth factor;
    Academic Unit: Faculty of Science and Engineering > Biology
    Faculty of Science and Engineering > Research Institutes > Human Health Institute
    Item ID: 19374
    Identification Number: 10.1002/eji.202451205
    Depositing User: Karen English
    Date Deposited: 20 Jan 2025 12:31
    Journal or Publication Title: European Journal of Immunology
    Publisher: Wiley-VCH Verlag
    Refereed: Yes
    Funders: Irish Research Council IRCLA/2017/288, Science Foundation Ireland 12/RI/234, Higher Education Authority HEA COVID grant to Maynooth University
    Related URLs:
    URI: https://mural.maynoothuniversity.ie/id/eprint/19374
    Use Licence: This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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