Involvement of Hepcidin Gene Expression in the Antibacterial Effect of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells
| Author | Safieh Danesh Mobarhan | en |
| Author | Malek Masoud Ansar | en |
| Author | Malek Moien Ansar | en |
| Author | Parisa Afzal Haghjoo | en |
| Author | Ali Mojtahedi | en |
| Orcid | Malek Masoud Ansar [0000-0001-8207-852X] | en |
| Orcid | Ali Mojtahedi [0000-0002-5385-9367] | en |
| Issued Date | 2026-07-31 | en |
| Abstract | Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit antimicrobial effects through the secretion of antimicrobial peptides such as hepcidin. Human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) are an abundant and accessible MSC source with documented immunomodulatory and potential antibacterial properties; however, the specific contribution of hepcidin to their antimicrobial activity remains unclear. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial effects of hADSCs against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and to investigate the modulation of hepcidin gene expression in response to exposure to bacteria. Methods: Previously characterized hADSCs were used. The identity of E. coli ATCC 25922 was confirmed using standard biochemical assays. Antibacterial activity was assessed using two experimental approaches: (1) direct co-culture of hADSCs with bacteria and (2) exposure of bacteria to hADSC-derived conditioned medium (CM). The optimal heparin concentration was determined and used in interference assays to investigate the involvement of hepcidin. Hepcidin (HAMP) gene expression in hADSCs was quantified by real-time PCR 6 hours after bacterial exposure. Results: After stimulation with E. coli, hepcidin gene expression in hADSCs increased 3.16-fold compared with unstimulated controls, whereas heparin treatment reduced expression to near-baseline levels. Both direct co-culture and CM significantly inhibited E. coli growth (P < 0.001), indicating strong antibacterial activity. Heparin partially attenuated these antibacterial effects; however, it did not result in a statistically significant increase in bacterial proliferation, suggesting that additional factors are involved. Conclusions: hADSCs demonstrate potent antibacterial activity against E. coli. The observed upregulation of hepcidin gene expression following bacterial exposure suggests that hepcidin may contribute to this effect; however, a direct causal relationship cannot be established based solely on mRNA expression. The complexity of the antimicrobial mechanism, potentially involving other antimicrobial peptides and soluble mediators, is further supported by the partial inhibitory effect of heparin. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of hADSCs as candidates for cell-based antimicrobial strategies. | en |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm-171515 | en |
| URI | https://brieflands.com/journals/jjm/articles/171515 | en |
| Keyword | <i>Escherichia coli</i> | en |
| Keyword | Antibacterial Agents | en |
| Keyword | Hepcidin | en |
| Keyword | Human Adipose-derived Stem Cells | en |
| Publisher | Brieflands | en |
| Title | Involvement of Hepcidin Gene Expression in the Antibacterial Effect of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells | en |
| Type | Research Article | en |
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