Epigenetic changes in umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells upon stimulation and culture expansion

Prior to (pre-) clinical application, MSC can be culture expanded as well as stimulated to activate their immunomodulatory properties. In the manuscript we show that stimulation of MSC induces immunophenotypical changes and marginally affects their DNA methylation pattern. Notably, culture expansion has a major impact on the DNA methylation profile of MSC, while their immunophenotype remained stable. Pure ucMSC samples of 4 donors were analyzed. ucMSC were stimulated with 3 treatments and 2 timepoints