Human placental mesenchymal stem cells regulate inflammation via the NF‑κB signaling pathway

Abstract

Emerging evidence has indicated that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are involved in the modulation of inflammation. Human placenta-derived (HPL)-MSCs exist in sufficient quantities and play a role in immune regulation. However, the exact roles of HPL-MSCs in inflammation and the specific underlying mechanisms are not well defined. In the present study, HPL-MSCs were obtained from human fetal placentas, and further purified using a commercial kit. Using ELISA, reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, western blot, NO detection and other assays, the present study revealed that HPL-MSCs may improve lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophage inflammation by regulating macrophage polarization. Further mechanistic studies demonstrated that HPL-MSCs attenuated the NF-κB signaling pathway by regulating the expression of toll-like receptor 4 and the phosphorylation of IκBα and p65, which resulted in a reduction in the levels of inflammation. The present study indicated that HPL-MSCs may act as a novel target for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases.