Human gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells modulate the fate of macrophages and alleviate atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is the major cause of cardiovascular diseases. Current evidence indicates that macrophages and inflammation are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Human gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells(GMSCs) have displayed anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects on autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. However, whether GMSCs can modulate macrophages and eventually prevent and treat atherosclerosis is far from clear. Here, we show that GMSCs markedly inhibited the foam cell formation and the inflammatory macrophages activation, converting inflammatory macrophages to anti-inflammatory macrophages in vitro. Additionally, infusion of GMSC to AopE−/− mice significantly reduced the frequency of inflammatory monocytes and decreased the size of plaque and lipid deposition. Thus, our study has revealed an unexpected role of GMSCs in modulating the function of macrophages and alleviating atherosclerosis. Transplantation of GMSCs to atherosclerotic patients might be a new therapeutic strategy to improve atherosclerosis.