Fig. 4

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapeutic effect on preeclampsia (PE). The therapeutic effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on PE has been investigated, mainly including anti-inflammation, pro-angiogenesis and anti-oxidance. MSCs possess abundant sources such as bone marrow, adipose tissue, muscle, neonatal tissue and skin. First, MSCs can secrete a series of paracrine factors, including PEG2, TGF-β, IFN-γ and M-CSF, target various immune cells such as T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, dendritic cells and natural killer cells. Then, the cytokine profile, maturation, polarization and activation of target cells will be regulated, suppressing the inflammation occurring in PE. Second, the MSC-derived exosomes have raised great attention due to its ability to transport angiogenesis factors, lipids and microRNAs. As the regulatory factors transfering biologically active membrane and cytosolic components to target cells, the dysfunctional intercellular communication can be improved. In PE, the application of MSC-derived exosomes alleviates the degenerative angiogenesis through regulating the levels of ERK, AKT, angiopoietin, PKA, VEGFR-2, VEGF and β-catenin. Third, MSCs possess the anti-oxidant capability though transferring functional mitochondria to the target cells in affected tissues of PE patients. As a result, the mitochondrial ROS can be reduced, mitochondrial membrane potential and oxidative phosphorylation levels in recipient cells will be restored. Also, aerobic respiration will be rescued and the apopotosis of endothelial cells will be inhibited to alleviate oxitant stress raised by PE. (Abbreviation: AKT, RAC(Rho family)-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase; ERK, extracellular-signal regulated kinase; IDO, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase; IFN-γ, interferon gamma; IgG, immunoglobulin G; L-10, interleukin 10; M-CSF, macrophage colony-stimulating factor; miR, microRNA; PEG2, prostaglandin E2; PKA, cyclic-AMP cascade protein kinase A; ROS, reactive oxygen species; Th, T helper cell; TGF-β, transforming growth factor beta; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor; VEGFR-2, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2)