Therapeutic potential of BMSC-conditioned medium in an in vitro model of renal fibrosis using the RPTEC/TERT1 cell line

• Published in: BMB reports 2024, 57(2), , pp.116-121
• Main Authors: Kim, Yunji, Kang, Dayeon, Choi, Ga-eun, Kim, Sang Dae, Yang, Sun-ja, Kim, Hyosang, You, Dalsan, Kim, Choung Soo, Suh, Nayoung
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 화학
• ISSN: 1976-6696; 1976-670X
• DOI: 10.5483/BMBRep.2023-0239

We investigated the therapeutic potential of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium (BMSC-CM) on immortalized renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (RPTEC/TERT1) in a fibrotic environment. To replicate the increased stiffness characteristic of kidneys in chronic kidney disease, we utilized polyacrylamide gel platforms. A stiff matrix was shown to increase α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) levels, indicating fibrogenic activation in RPTEC/TERT1 cells. Interestingly, treatment with BMSC-CM resulted in significant reductions in the levels of fibrotic markers (α-SMA and vimentin) and increases in the levels of the epithelial marker E-cadherin and aquaporin 7, particularly under stiff conditions. Furthermore, BMSC-CM modified microRNA (miRNA) expression and reduced oxidative stress levels in these cells. Our findings suggest that BMSC-CM can modulate cellular morphology, miRNA expression, and oxidative stress in RPTEC/TERT1 cells, highlighting its therapeutic potential in fibrotic kidney disease.