BACKGROUND/AIMS

The aim of this study was to investigate the antiproliferative and apoptotic effect of gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs) on the Jurkat cells as t-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell line.

MATERIAL and METHODS

The Jurkat cells were cocultured with GMSCs or alone at 37°C 5% CO₂ humidified atmosphere with different culture periods and concentrations. The Jurkat cells were subjected to flow cytometry analysis for proliferation, apoptosis, and necrosis by staining the cells with Annexin V and 7AAD antibodies. Intracellular IL-2 secretion in the Jurkat cells was analyzed to determine the proliferative cytokine secretion. CD4þCD25þFoxP3þ cells were analyzed to determine the regulatory T cell population. TNFR1 and TNFR2 expressions were analyzed for cell death signaling pathways.

RESULTS

GMSCs significantly reduced the proliferative response of the Jurkat cells in 48 hours of culture period in 1:1, 1:2, and 1:5 (GMSC:Jurkat) ratios. The minimum inhibitory effect on the proliferative response was found to be in 1:5 ratios. GMSCs significantly increased the rate of early apoptosis and necrosis of Jurkat cells in 1:5 (GMSC:Jurkat) ratios. Intracellular IL-2 secretion of the Jurkat cells significantly reduced with GMSCs (P < .05). GMSCs tended to increase CD4þCD25þFoxP3þTcell population in the Jurkat cells in 24 and 48 hours of culture periods, but no significant difference was observed (P > .05). TNFR2 expression on the Jurkat cells significantly increased within the culture periods when cultured with GMSCs.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that GMSCs can response to acute leukemia T cells and can modulate the proliferative response by increasing the apoptosis and necrosis and TNFR2 expression and by decreasing IL-2 secretion. Further in vitro or in vivo studies can be performed to investigate the molecular mechanisms or suppressive effects of GMSCs on acute leukemia T cell cells.

Keywords: Gingiva mesenchymal stem cells, T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, apoptosis