Multilineage-differentiating stress enduring (Muse) cells were found as a subpopulation of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) whose pluripotency enables them to develop into three germ layers. Recent studies have demonstrated the feasibility and effectiveness of MSC therapies for severe epidermolysis bullosa (EB). Since Muse cells have wider pluripotency than MSCs, Muse cells are considered more suitable than MSCs for regenerative medicine. Herein we investigated the potential of using Muse cells for novel cell therapies against EB. CL2020, a human Muse cell-rich product (Life Science Institute, Inc., Tokyo, Japan) was used for the study. The majority of CL2020 cells show CD45(–), CD90(+), CD105(+) and SSEA-3(+), which characterize Muse cells. RT-PCR analysis from CL2020 revealed the expression of genes encoding basal membrane zone proteins including COL7A1. Next, we injected CL2020 into adult wounded mice intravenously at 3x104 and 3x105 cells per mouse. The mice treated with CL2020 tended to show an accelerated wound healing compared with those treated with MSCs. Immunofluorescence and RT-PCR analysis demonstrated the possibility of producing human type VII collagen (COL7) in the epithelized skin. Our results show the possibility of using CL2020 (Muse cells) for novel stem cell therapies in dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.

CL2020, a human multilineage-differentiating stress enduring cells-rich product, has a potential to treat dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.