Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42069635›Full record

ArticleStem cell research & therapy2026

3D spheroids of umbilical cord-derived MSCs protect retinal pigment epithelium against oxidative and inflammatory injury by activating autophagy.

Qian Xu, Mengyao Li, Dong Li, Xiaoyu Dai, Yifei Zhang, Yi Qu

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Article in Stem cell research & therapy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Qian Xu *Department of Ophthalmology, Department of Geriatrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, No. 107, Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan, 250012, China.
Mengyao Li *Department of Ophthalmology, Department of Geriatrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, No. 107, Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan, 250012, China.
Dong LiLaboratory of Cryomedicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
Xiaoyu DaiJinan Perfect Biological Technology Co. Ltd., Jinan, China.
Yifei ZhangDepartment of Ophthalmology, Department of Geriatrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, No. 107, Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan, 250012, China.
Yi QuDepartment of Ophthalmology, Department of Geriatrics, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, No. 107, Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan, 250012, China. yiqucn@sdu.edu.cn.

Funding

Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation #ZR2025QC1712
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is characterized by progressive retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) dysfunction driven by oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, in which NLRP3 inflammasome activation plays a critical role. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit therapeutic potential, but their efficacy is limited by poor survival and reduced paracrine activity in hostile microenvironments. Here, we investigated whether three-dimensional (3D) spheroid culture enhances the protective effects of umbilical cord-derived MSCs (UC-MSCs) on RPE cells by promoting autophagy and suppressing inflammasome activation.

methodsHuman UC-MSCs were cultured as 3D spheroids or conventional 2D monolayers and applied in sodium iodate (NaIO

results3D MSCs formed compact spheroids exhibiting enhanced paracrine potential and significantly outperformed 2D MSCs in protecting RPE cells against NaIO

conclusions3D spheroid culture substantially augments the therapeutic efficacy of UC-MSCs by boosting autophagy and suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome signaling, resulting in enhanced protection of RPE cells from oxidative and inflammatory injury. These findings provide preclinical evidence supporting 3D MSCs as a promising therapeutic strategy for AMD.

Indexed as

AutophagyInflammationMesenchymal Stem CellsOxidative StressRetinal Pigment EpitheliumSpheroids, CellularUmbilical CordAnimalsHumansInflammasomesIodatesMiceNLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 ProteinInflammasomesIodatesNLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Proteinsodium iodateAge-related macular degenerationAutophagyNLRP3 inflammasomeRetinal pigment epitheliumUmbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Identifiers

PMID42069635
PMCPMC13312640

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.