» Articles » PMID: 34829752

Bone Marrow Microenvironment in Light-Chain Amyloidosis: In Vitro Expansion and Characterization of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

Abstract

Immunoglobulin light-chain amyloidosis (AL) is caused by misfolded light chains produced by a small B cell clone. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been reported to affect plasma cell behavior. We aimed to characterize bone marrow (BM)-MSCs from AL patients, considering functional aspects, such as proliferation, differentiation, and immunomodulatory capacities. MSCs were in vitro expanded from the BM of 57 AL patients and 14 healthy donors (HDs). MSC surface markers were analyzed by flow cytometry, osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation capacities were in vitro evaluated, and co-culture experiments were performed in order to investigate MSC immunomodulatory properties towards the ALMC-2 cell line and HD peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). AL-MSCs were comparable to HD-MSCs for morphology, immune-phenotype, and differentiation capacities. AL-MSCs showed a reduced proliferation rate, entering senescence at earlier passages than HD-MSCs. The AL-MSC modulatory effect on the plasma-cell line or circulating plasma cells was comparable to that of HD-MSCs. To our knowledge, this is the first study providing a comprehensive characterization of AL-MSCs. It remains to be defined if the observed abnormalities are the consequence of or are involved in the disease pathogenesis. BM microenvironment components in AL may represent the targets for the prevention/treatment of the disease in personalized therapies.

Citing Articles

Effects of mesenchymal stem cells from different sources on the biological functions of multiple myeloma cells.

Li Y, Liu Y, Yang X, Yang B, Cheng J, Chen J Stem Cell Res Ther. 2025; 16(1):89.

PMID: 40001171 PMC: 11863895. DOI: 10.1186/s13287-025-04222-8.

References
1.
Normanno N, De Luca A, Bianco C, Strizzi L, Mancino M, Maiello M . Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling in cancer. Gene. 2005; 366(1):2-16. DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2005.10.018. View

2.
Gertz M, Comenzo R, Falk R, Fermand J, Hazenberg B, Hawkins P . Definition of organ involvement and treatment response in immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis (AL): a consensus opinion from the 10th International Symposium on Amyloid and Amyloidosis, Tours, France, 18-22 April 2004. Am J Hematol. 2005; 79(4):319-28. DOI: 10.1002/ajh.20381. View

3.
Yu J, Ustach C, Kim H . Platelet-derived growth factor signaling and human cancer. J Biochem Mol Biol. 2003; 36(1):49-59. DOI: 10.5483/bmbrep.2003.36.1.049. View

4.
Muller L, Tunger A, Wobus M, von Bonin M, Towers R, Bornhauser M . Immunomodulatory Properties of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: An Update. Front Cell Dev Biol. 2021; 9:637725. PMC: 7900158. DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.637725. View

5.
Kourelis T, Kumar S, Gertz M, Lacy M, Buadi F, Hayman S . Coexistent multiple myeloma or increased bone marrow plasma cells define equally high-risk populations in patients with immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis. J Clin Oncol. 2013; 31(34):4319-24. PMC: 4881366. DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2013.50.8499. View