Immunomodulatory effect of IFN-γ licensed adipose-mesenchymal stromal cells in an in vitro model of inflammation generated by SARS-CoV-2 antigens

Bibliographic Details
Title: Immunomodulatory effect of IFN-γ licensed adipose-mesenchymal stromal cells in an in vitro model of inflammation generated by SARS-CoV-2 antigens
Authors: Elizabete Cristina Iseke Bispo, Enrique Roberto Argañaraz, Franscisco de Assis Rocha Neves, Juliana Lott de Carvalho, Felipe Saldanha-Araujo
Source: Scientific Reports, Vol 14, Iss 1, Pp 1-12 (2024)
Publisher Information: Nature Portfolio, 2024.
Publication Year: 2024
Collection: LCC:Medicine
LCC:Science
Subject Terms: Mesenchymal stem cells, IFN-γ, T-cells, Nucleocapsid, Spike, SARS-CoV-2, Medicine, Science
More Details: Abstract In recent years, clinical studies have shown positive results of the application of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) in severe cases of COVID-19. However, the mechanisms of immunomodulation of IFN-γ licensed MSCs in SARS-CoV-2 infection are only partially understood. In this study, we first tested the effect of IFN-γ licensing in the MSC immunomodulatory profile. Then, we established an in vitro model of inflammation by exposing Calu-3 lung cells to SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid and spike (NS) antigens, and determined the toxicity of SARS-CoV-2 NS antigen and/or IFN-γ stimulation to Calu-3. The conditioned medium (iCM) generated by Calu-3 cells exposed to IFN-γ and SARS-CoV-2 NS antigens was used to stimulate T-cells, which were then co-cultured with IFN-γ-licensed MSCs. The exposure to IFN-γ and SARS-CoV-2 NS antigens compromised the viability of Calu-3 cells and induced the expression of the inflammatory mediators ICAM-1, CXCL-10, and IFN-β by these cells. Importantly, despite initially stimulating T-cell activation, IFN-γ-licensed MSCs dramatically reduced IL-6 and IL-10 levels secreted by T-cells exposed to NS antigens and iCM. Moreover, IFN-γ-licensed MSCs were able to significantly inhibit T-cell apoptosis induced by SARS-CoV-2 NS antigens. Taken together, our data show that, in addition to reducing the level of critical cytokines in COVID-19, IFN-γ-licensed MSCs protect T-cells from SARS-CoV-2 antigen-induced apoptosis. Such observations suggest that MSCs may contribute to COVID-19 management by preventing the lymphopenia and immunodeficiency observed in critical cases of the disease.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2045-2322
Relation: https://doaj.org/toc/2045-2322
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-75776-5
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/6ae555e9c3464be1b0e4429a56a4e873
Accession Number: edsdoj.6ae555e9c3464be1b0e4429a56a4e873
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
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More Details
ISSN:20452322
DOI:10.1038/s41598-024-75776-5
Published in:Scientific Reports
Language:English