Conditioned Medium from Human Uterine Cervical Stem Cells Regulates Oxidative Stress and Angiogenesis of Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Retinal homeostasis is essential to avoid retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) damage resulting in photoreceptor death and blindness. Mesenchymal stem cells-based cell therapy could contribute to the maintenance of the retinal homeostasis. We have explored the effect of human uterine cervical stem cells (hUCESCs)-conditioned medium (hUCESC-CM) on RPE cells under oxidative stress condition. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> ARPE-19 cells were treated with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in the presence or absence of hUCESC-CM. qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to evaluate the expression of oxidative stress-related (HO-1, GCLC, and HSPB1) and vasculogenesis-related (VEGFA, PDGFA, and PDGFB) factors. Also, we assessed in vitro effects of hUCESC-CM on endothelial-cell (HUVEC) tube formation. <b><i>Results:</i></b> mRNA expression of HO-1, GCLC, HSPB1, VEGFA, PDGFA, and PDGFB were significantly increased in ARPE-19 cells treated with H₂O₂ + hUCESC-CM compared to cells treated with H₂O₂ only. Regarding the tube formation assay, HUVEC treated with supernatant from ARPE-19 cells treated with H₂O₂ + hUCESC-CM showed a significant increase in average vessel length, number of capillary-like junctions, and average of vessels area compared with HUVEC treated with supernatant from ARPE-19 cells treated with H₂O₂ only. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Our results show potential therapeutic effects of hUCESC-CM on RPE, such as protection from damage by oxidative stress, stimulation of detoxifying genes, and a better vascularization.