Fas ligand regulates the immunomodulatory properties of dental pulp stem cells

J Dent Res. 2012 Oct;91(10):948-54. doi: 10.1177/0022034512458690. Epub 2012 Aug 17.

Abstract

Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) possess immunoregulatory properties, but the underlying mechanism is not fully understood. Here we showed that DPSCs were capable of inducing activated T-cell apoptosis in vitro and ameliorating inflammatory-related tissue injuries when systemically infused into a murine colitis model. Mechanistically, DPSC-induced immunoregulation was associated with the expression of Fas ligand (FasL), a transmembrane protein that plays an important role in inducing the Fas apoptotic pathway. Knockdown of FasL expression by siRNA in DPSCs reduced their capacity to induce T-cell apoptosis in vitro and abolished their therapeutic effects in mice with colitis. However, the expression level of FasL did not affect either DPSC proliferation rate or multipotent differentiation potential. In summary, FasL governs the immunoregulatory property of DPSCs in the context of inducing T-cell apoptosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / immunology*
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Colitis / immunology
  • Colitis / therapy
  • Dental Pulp / cytology*
  • Fas Ligand Protein / biosynthesis
  • Fas Ligand Protein / immunology*
  • Female
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Humans
  • Immunomodulation / physiology
  • Immunotherapy
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Nude
  • Multipotent Stem Cells / immunology*
  • Multipotent Stem Cells / metabolism
  • RNA Interference
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*

Substances

  • Fas Ligand Protein