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Home / Equine Research Bank / Stem Cell Res Ther / Antimicrobial peptides secreted by equine mesenchymal stroma...
Stem cell research & therapy2017; 8(1); 157; doi: 10.1186/s13287-017-0610-6

Antimicrobial peptides secreted by equine mesenchymal stromal cells inhibit the growth of bacteria commonly found in skin wounds.

Abstract: The prevalence of chronic skin wounds in humans is high, and treatment is often complicated by the presence of pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, safe and innovative treatments to reduce the bacterial load in cutaneous wounds are needed. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are known to provide paracrine signals that act on resident skin cells to promote wound healing, but their potential antibacterial activities are not well described. The present study was designed to examine the antibacterial properties of MSC from horses, as this animal model offers a readily translatable model for MSC therapies in humans. Specifically, we aimed to (i) evaluate the in vitro effects of equine MSC on the growth of representative gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial species commonly found in skin wounds and (ii) define the mechanisms by which MSC inhibit bacterial growth. MSC were isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy horses. Gram-negative E. coli and gram-positive S. aureus were cultured in the presence of MSC and MSC conditioned medium (CM), containing all factors secreted by MSC. Bacterial growth was measured by plating bacteria and counting viable colonies or by reading the absorbance of bacterial cultures. Bacterial membrane damage was detected by incorporation of N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine (NPN). Antimicrobial peptide (AMP) gene and protein expression by equine MSC were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. Blocking of AMP activity of MSC CM was achieved using AMP-specific antibodies. We found that equine MSC and MSC CM inhibit the growth of E. coli and S. aureus, and that MSC CM depolarizes the cell membranes of these bacteria. In addition, we found that equine MSC CM contains AMPs, and blocking these AMPs with antibodies reduces the effects of MSC CM on bacteria. Our results demonstrate that equine MSC inhibit bacterial growth and secrete factors that compromise the membrane integrity of bacteria commonly found in skin wounds. We also identified four specific AMPs produced by equine MSC. The secretion of AMPs may contribute to the value of MSC as a therapy for cutaneous wounds in both horses and humans.
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Publication Date: 2017-07-04 PubMed ID: 28676123PubMed Central: PMC5496374DOI: 10.1186/s13287-017-0610-6Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The study focuses on the antibacterial properties of equine Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSC) as an innovative treatment for skin wounds in humans.

Objective and Methods

  • The primary objective of the research was to study the antibacterial properties of MSC in horses and understand if those properties could be translated to possible therapies in humans. Specifically, the researchers targeted gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial species that typically exist in skin wounds.
  • Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSC) were isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy horses. Bacterial growth was then measured using gram-negative E. coli and gram-positive S. aureus, cultured in the presence of MSC and MSC conditioned medium (MSC CM) – a solution containing all elements secreted by MSC.
  • Bacterial growth was measured by two methods – by plating the bacteria and counting viable colonies and by measuring the absorbance of bacterial cultures.
  • MSC’s impact on bacterial cell membrane integrity was detected using N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine (NPN). Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis were used to identify antimicrobial peptide (AMP) gene and protein expression in equine MSC.
  • The researchers also blocked the AMP activity using AMP-specific antibodies to study the effects on bacteria.

Findings

  • The study found that both equine MSC and MSC CM inhibit the growth of E. coli and S. aureus, indicating potential antimicrobial properties.
  • Interestingly, it was discovered that factors present in MSC conditioned medium (MSC CM) compromise or depolarize the cell membranes of these bacteria. This implies that MSC secretes elements influencing bacterial cell membrane integrity.
  • Evidence of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) was found in MSC CM. When the AMP action in MSC CM was blocked using specific AMP antibodies, the antibacterial effects were reduced, thereby indicating a significant role of AMPs in hindering bacterial growth.
  • Four specific AMPs were identified as the products of equine MSC.

Conclusions and implications

  • This research demonstrates that equine MSC not only inhibits bacterial growth but also secretes factors that compromise the cell membranes of bacteria commonly associated with skin wounds.
  • The secretion of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) may enhance the potential applications of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSC) in treating skin wounds in horses, and subsequently, it might be translated into human therapies.

Cite This Article

APA
Harman RM, Yang S, He MK, Van de Walle GR. (2017). Antimicrobial peptides secreted by equine mesenchymal stromal cells inhibit the growth of bacteria commonly found in skin wounds. Stem Cell Res Ther, 8(1), 157. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-017-0610-6

Publication

Stem cell research & therapy
ISSN: 1757-6512
NlmUniqueID: 101527581
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 8
Issue: 1
Pages: 157

Researcher Affiliations

Harman, Rebecca M
  • Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA.
Yang, Steven
  • Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA.
He, Megan K
  • Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA.
Van de Walle, Gerlinde R
  • Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA. grv23@cornell.edu.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli Infections / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli Infections / pathology
  • Horses
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Staphylococcal Skin Infections / metabolism
  • Staphylococcal Skin Infections / pathology
  • Staphylococcus aureus / metabolism
  • Wound Infection / metabolism
  • Wound Infection / microbiology
  • Wound Infection / pathology

Grant Funding

  • T35 OD010941 / NIH HHS

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