The potential therapeutic effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on pulmonary hypertension

AimTo evaluate the reparative effects of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) on the pulmonary vascular endothelium.MethodshUCMSCs were isolated from the umbilical cords of healthy neonates and characterized via flow cytometry for mesenchymal stem cell surface markers and their capacity for tri-lineage differentiation. A pulmonary hypertension (PH) mouse model was established through intraperitoneal administration of monocrotaline. hUCMSCs were delivered by tail vein injection. Right ventricular functional parameters were assessed on d 10, 20, 30 post-treatment. Lung tissues were harvested for HE staining and IF analysis. Furthermore, RNA was extracted from lung tissues for transcriptome sequencing.ResultsThe isolated mesenchymal stem cells conformed to the criteria established by the International Society for Cellular Therapy. At all three time points, the model mice showed significantly higher right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), right ventricular hypertrophy index (RVHI), and the ratio of right ventricle to left ventricle plus septum (RV/LV+S) compared to controls. HE staining demonstrated pronounced thickening of the pulmonary vascular walls. IF staining revealed reduced expression of CD31 alongside, and increased α-SMA expression within the same tissue sections. These pathological alterations were ameliorated following administration of hUCMSCs. Transcriptome sequencing identified several potential therapeutic pathways.ConclusionhUCMSCs provide a sustained reparative effect on the pulmonary vascular endothelium in the context of PH.