Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells

We are studying the basic fundaments of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSC) from various species, including horses and humans, in order to better understand their "mode of action" in regenerative medicine.

Specifically, we study the MSC secretome, defined as the collection of secreted bioactive factors, which represents a new source to identify molecules with therapeutic potential. We are exploring the potential of the MSC secretome to promote wound healing and fight infections. For this work, we establish and use in vitro 2D cell cultures, ex vivo 3D explant models, and in vivo rodent and large animal models.

Selected publications:

1) Mesenchymal stromal cell-secreted CCL2 promotes antibacterial defense mechanisms through increased antimicrobial peptide expression in keratinocytes
Marx C, Gardner S, Harman RM, Wagner B, Van de Walle GR.
Stem Cells Transl Med. 2021 Sep 16. doi: 10.1002/sctm.21-0058. Epub ahead of print.

2) The mesenchymal stromal cell secretome impairs methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus biofilms via cysteine protease activity in the equine model.
Marx C, Gardner S, Harman RM, Van de Walle GR.
Stem Cells Transl Med. 2020 Jul;9(7):746-757. doi: 10.1002/sctm.19-0333. Epub 2020 Mar 26. PMID: 32216094

3) Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and tenascin-C secreted by equine mesenchymal stromal cells stimulate dermal fibroblast migration in vitro and contribute to wound healing in vivo.
Harman RM, He MK, Zhang S, Van de Walle GR.
Cytotherapy. 2018 Aug;20(8):1061-1076. doi: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2018.06.005.

4) The secretome of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells protects SH-SY5Y cells from arsenic-induced toxicity, independent of a neuron-like differentiation mechanism.
Curtis TM, Hannett JM, Harman RM, Puoplo NA, Van de Walle GR.
Neurotoxicology. 2018 Jul;67:54-64. doi: 10.1016/j.neuro.2018.04.009.

5) Antimicrobial peptides secreted by equine mesenchymal stromal cells inhibit the growth of bacteria commonly found in skin wounds.
Harman RM, Yang S, He MK, Van de Walle GR.
Stem Cell Res Ther. 2017 Jul 4;8(1):157. doi: 10.1186/s13287-017-0610-6.

6) Secreted factors from equine mesenchymal stromal cells diminish the effects of TGF-β1 on equine dermal fibroblasts and alter the phenotype of dermal fibroblasts isolated from cutaneous fibroproliferative wounds.
Harman RM, Bihun IV, Van de Walle GR.
Wound Repair Regen. 2017 Apr;25(2):234-247. doi: 10.1111/wrr.12515.

7) Microencapsulated equine mesenchymal stromal cells promote cutaneous wound healing in vitro.
Bussche L, Harman RM, Syracuse BA, Plante EL, Lu YC, Curtis TM, Ma M, Van de Walle GR.
Stem Cell Res Ther. 2015 Apr 11;6:66. doi: 10.1186/s13287-015-0037-x.