Rab7 inhibitor enhances stem cell differentiation into keratinocyte-like cells with anti-inflammatory properties

Management of difficult-to-heal skin wounds presents a significant clinical challenge, particularly when associated with inflammatory skin disorders. The differentiation of stem cells into keratinocyte-like cells has been explored as a potential regenerative therapy. Ras-related protein (Rab) 7, a k...

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Main Authors: Raghad Alghazali, Mouna Tabebi, Moustafa Elmasry, Ahmed El-Serafi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Immunology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1503007/full
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author Raghad Alghazali
Mouna Tabebi
Mouna Tabebi
Moustafa Elmasry
Moustafa Elmasry
Ahmed El-Serafi
Ahmed El-Serafi
author_facet Raghad Alghazali
Mouna Tabebi
Mouna Tabebi
Moustafa Elmasry
Moustafa Elmasry
Ahmed El-Serafi
Ahmed El-Serafi
author_sort Raghad Alghazali
collection DOAJ
description Management of difficult-to-heal skin wounds presents a significant clinical challenge, particularly when associated with inflammatory skin disorders. The differentiation of stem cells into keratinocyte-like cells has been explored as a potential regenerative therapy. Ras-related protein (Rab) 7, a key regulator of membrane trafficking, influences the activity of several growth factors. In this study, the competitive Rab7 inhibitor, CID-1067700, was investigated for the differentiation of adipose-derived stem cell into keratinocyte-like cells. This treatment upregulated several epidermal markers, including P63, cytokeratin 5 and 14 and filaggrin, while downregulated the stem cell marker, vimentin. Microarray data showed upregulation of the anti-inflammatory gene HMOX-1, coupled with the downregulation of various inflammation-related pathways, such as TNF, chemokine, AGE-RAGE and IL-17 signalling cascades, as well as cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathways. Gene set enrichment analysis predicted Ehmt2, an epigenetic regulator, to be the top activated upstream regulator, enhancing the transcriptional activity. Protein array analysis showed reduced secretion of several inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1α, IL-8, IL-17A, and IL-32, while enhancing the secretion of the epidermal growth factor. Our findings provide preliminary evidence that CID-1067700, as an additive to the differentiation media, not only enhances stem cell differentiation into keratinocyte-like cells, but also improves their anti-inflammatory properties. These combined regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties may offer significant therapeutic potential for patients with chronic skin wounds, particularly those with underlying inflammatory conditions.
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spelling doaj-art-e71c9600278745a49a68509fef5698132025-08-20T02:34:12ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Immunology1664-32242025-05-011610.3389/fimmu.2025.15030071503007Rab7 inhibitor enhances stem cell differentiation into keratinocyte-like cells with anti-inflammatory propertiesRaghad Alghazali0Mouna Tabebi1Mouna Tabebi2Moustafa Elmasry3Moustafa Elmasry4Ahmed El-Serafi5Ahmed El-Serafi6The Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), Linköping University, Linköping, SwedenThe Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), Linköping University, Linköping, SwedenClinical Genomics Linköping, Linköping University, Linköping, SwedenThe Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), Linköping University, Linköping, SwedenDepartment of Hand Surgery and Plastic Surgery and Burns, University Hospital, Linköping, SwedenThe Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (BKV), Linköping University, Linköping, SwedenDepartment of Hand Surgery and Plastic Surgery and Burns, University Hospital, Linköping, SwedenManagement of difficult-to-heal skin wounds presents a significant clinical challenge, particularly when associated with inflammatory skin disorders. The differentiation of stem cells into keratinocyte-like cells has been explored as a potential regenerative therapy. Ras-related protein (Rab) 7, a key regulator of membrane trafficking, influences the activity of several growth factors. In this study, the competitive Rab7 inhibitor, CID-1067700, was investigated for the differentiation of adipose-derived stem cell into keratinocyte-like cells. This treatment upregulated several epidermal markers, including P63, cytokeratin 5 and 14 and filaggrin, while downregulated the stem cell marker, vimentin. Microarray data showed upregulation of the anti-inflammatory gene HMOX-1, coupled with the downregulation of various inflammation-related pathways, such as TNF, chemokine, AGE-RAGE and IL-17 signalling cascades, as well as cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathways. Gene set enrichment analysis predicted Ehmt2, an epigenetic regulator, to be the top activated upstream regulator, enhancing the transcriptional activity. Protein array analysis showed reduced secretion of several inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1α, IL-8, IL-17A, and IL-32, while enhancing the secretion of the epidermal growth factor. Our findings provide preliminary evidence that CID-1067700, as an additive to the differentiation media, not only enhances stem cell differentiation into keratinocyte-like cells, but also improves their anti-inflammatory properties. These combined regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties may offer significant therapeutic potential for patients with chronic skin wounds, particularly those with underlying inflammatory conditions.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1503007/fullregenerative medicinewound healingstem CellsCID-1067700Rab7differentiation
spellingShingle Raghad Alghazali
Mouna Tabebi
Mouna Tabebi
Moustafa Elmasry
Moustafa Elmasry
Ahmed El-Serafi
Ahmed El-Serafi
Rab7 inhibitor enhances stem cell differentiation into keratinocyte-like cells with anti-inflammatory properties
Frontiers in Immunology
regenerative medicine
wound healing
stem Cells
CID-1067700
Rab7
differentiation
title Rab7 inhibitor enhances stem cell differentiation into keratinocyte-like cells with anti-inflammatory properties
title_full Rab7 inhibitor enhances stem cell differentiation into keratinocyte-like cells with anti-inflammatory properties
title_fullStr Rab7 inhibitor enhances stem cell differentiation into keratinocyte-like cells with anti-inflammatory properties
title_full_unstemmed Rab7 inhibitor enhances stem cell differentiation into keratinocyte-like cells with anti-inflammatory properties
title_short Rab7 inhibitor enhances stem cell differentiation into keratinocyte-like cells with anti-inflammatory properties
title_sort rab7 inhibitor enhances stem cell differentiation into keratinocyte like cells with anti inflammatory properties
topic regenerative medicine
wound healing
stem Cells
CID-1067700
Rab7
differentiation
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1503007/full
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