Evaluation of genetic response of mesenchymal stem cells to nanosecond pulsed electric fields by whole transcriptome sequencing

World J Stem Cells · 2024 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 6861

Study snapshot

PublicationWorld J Stem Cells · 2024

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) modulated by various exogenous signals have been applied extensively in regenerative medicine research. Notably, nanosecond pulsed electric fields (nsPEFs), characterized by short duration and high strength, significantly influence cell phenotypes and regulate MSCs differentiation via multiple pathways. Consequently, we used transcriptomics to study changes in messenger RNA (mRNA), long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), microRNA (miRNA), and circular RNA expression during nsPEFs application. Aim: To explore gene expression profiles and potential transcriptional regulatory mechanisms in MSCs pretreated with nsPEFs. Methods: The impact of nsPEFs on the MSCs transcriptome was investigated through whole transcriptome sequencing. MSCs were pretreated with 5-pulse nsPEFs (100 ns at 10 kV/cm, 1 Hz), followed by total RNA isolation. Each transcript was normalized by fragments per kilobase per million. Fold change and difference significance were applied to screen the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses were performed to elucidate gene functions, complemented by quantitative polymerase chain reaction verification. Results: In total, 263 DEGs were discovered, with 92 upregulated and 171 downregulated. DEGs were predominantly enriched in epithelial cell proliferation, osteoblast differentiation, mesenchymal cell differentiation, nuclear division, and wound healing. Regarding cellular components, DEGs are primarily involved in condensed chromosome, chromosomal region, actin cytoskeleton, and kinetochore. From aspect of molecular functions, DEGs are mainly involved in glycosaminoglycan binding, integrin binding, nuclear steroid receptor activity, cytoskeletal motor activity, and steroid binding. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction confirmed targeted transcript regulation. Conclusion: Our systematic investigation of the wide-ranging transcriptional pattern modulated by nsPEFs revealed the differential expression of 263 mRNAs, 2 miRNAs, and 65 lncRNAs. Our study demonstrates that nsPEFs may affect stem cells through several signaling pathways, which are involved in vesicular transport, calcium ion transport, cytoskeleton, and cell differentiation.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typein_vitro

Effect directionmixed

PopulationMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)

Sample sizeNot supplied

Exposure5 pulses; 100 ns pulse duration at 1 Hz

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 94% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

MSCs pretreated with nanosecond pulsed electric fields showed 263 differentially expressed genes, including 92 upregulated and 171 downregulated genes, along with differential expression of 2 miRNAs and 65 lncRNAs. Enrichment analyses indicated involvement of processes including epithelial cell proliferation, osteoblast differentiation, mesenchymal cell differentiation, wound healing, vesicular transport, calcium ion transport, cytoskeleton, and cell differentiation; qPCR confirmed targeted transcript regulation.

Outcomes measured

Whole transcriptome changes (mRNA, lncRNA, miRNA, circular RNA)
Differentially expressed genes
Gene Ontology enrichment
KEGG pathway enrichment
qPCR validation of targeted transcripts

Limitations

In vitro study
Sample size not reported in the abstract
Exposure parameters are limited to a specific nsPEF condition (5 pulses, 100 ns, 10 kV/cm, 1 Hz)
Abstract does not report functional or clinical outcomes

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "other",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "5 pulses; 100 ns pulse duration at 1 Hz"
  },
  "population": "Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Whole transcriptome changes (mRNA, lncRNA, miRNA, circular RNA)",
    "Differentially expressed genes",
    "Gene Ontology enrichment",
    "KEGG pathway enrichment",
    "qPCR validation of targeted transcripts"
  ],
  "main_findings": "MSCs pretreated with nanosecond pulsed electric fields showed 263 differentially expressed genes, including 92 upregulated and 171 downregulated genes, along with differential expression of 2 miRNAs and 65 lncRNAs. Enrichment analyses indicated involvement of processes including epithelial cell proliferation, osteoblast differentiation, mesenchymal cell differentiation, wound healing, vesicular transport, calcium ion transport, cytoskeleton, and cell differentiation; qPCR confirmed targeted transcript regulation.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro study",
    "Sample size not reported in the abstract",
    "Exposure parameters are limited to a specific nsPEF condition (5 pulses, 100 ns, 10 kV/cm, 1 Hz)",
    "Abstract does not report functional or clinical outcomes"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.94,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "mesenchymal stem cells",
    "nanosecond pulsed electric fields",
    "nsPEFs",
    "transcriptomics",
    "whole transcriptome sequencing",
    "gene expression",
    "lncRNA",
    "miRNA",
    "cell differentiation",
    "in vitro"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v16.i3.305
PubMed: 38577234

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