Comparison of TGF-β and Nitric oxide production by adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells between healthy pregnant and preeclamptic women

Background: Preeclampsia is one of the most common complications of pregnancy that occurs after the 20th weeks of pregnancy.The pathophysiology of this disease is not exactly known. Transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-β) and Nitric Oxide (NO) are thekey regulatory factors secreted by Mesenchymal stem Cells (MSCs). Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the TGF-β and NO secretion by adipose-derived MSCs in normal andpreeclamptic pregnant women. Materials and methods: The adipose tissues were collected from 10 preeclamptic patients and 10 age-matched normotensivecontrols at the time of cesarean section delivery. After isolation and expansion of MSCs, their capability of differentiation andimmunophenotyping characteristics were assessed. Next, the release of TGF-ß was evaluated making use of ELISA sandwichmethod and Griess method was used to measure the level of NO. Results: Adipose derived MSCs in both groups were differentiated into osteocytes and adipocytes. The expression of CD90, CD73,CD44, and CD105 markers and lack of expression of CD-14, CD34, CD45, and HLA-DR markers in cells isolated from adipose in bothgroups was observed using flow cytometric analysis. The levels of TGF-ß secretion in preeclamptic women were significantly higherthan those in control group, but the mean level of NO secreted by adipose derived MSCs did not significantly change in the twogroups. Conclusion: It can be concluded that significant increase in the secretion of TGF-β owing to MSCs in preeclamptic participantsshows the importance of these cells in controlling immunological balance in these patients. Therefore, MSCs-based therapy seemsto regulate TH1/Th2 balance in preeclampsia.