biostudies-literatureMazfufah NFUniversity of Indonesia76https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12838044biostudies-literatureUnknown14(1)<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are recognized for their therapeutic potential due to their ability to secrete bioactive molecules. Among these secreted factors, bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) is known as a secreted factor that plays a crucial role in bone healing and regeneration. However, MSCs naturally secrete only small amounts of BMP-2. To improve the bone healing capacity of MSCs, it is essential to enhance the secretion of BMP-2 in MSCs. One approach that can be used to achieve this goal is by genetically engineering MSCs. Incorporating signal peptides (SPs) into the inserted gene sequence can significantly improve protein secretion efficiency. In this proof-of-concept study, we explored the role of SPs in optimizing BMP-2 secretion in umbilical corBiomedicinesGenetic Engineering of Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Enhance BMP-2 Secretion via Signal Peptide Optimization.PMC12838044PKS-40/UN2.RST/HKP.05.00/2025Mazfufah NFNurhayati RWWidyaningtyas STPratama MDJang GOceandy DDilogo IHfalseGenetic Engineering of Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Enhance BMP-2 Secretion via Signal Peptide Optimization.<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are recognized for their therapeutic potential due to their ability to secrete bioactive molecules. Among these secreted factors, bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) is known as a secreted factor that plays a crucial role in bone healing and regeneration. However, MSCs naturally secrete only small amounts of BMP-2. To improve the bone healing capacity of MSCs, it is essential to enhance the secretion of BMP-2 in MSCs. One approach that can be used to achieve this goal is by genetically engineering MSCs. Incorporating signal peptides (SPs) into the inserted gene sequence can significantly improve protein secretion efficiency. In this proof-of-concept study, we explored the role of SPs in optimizing BMP-2 secretion in umbilical cor2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Dec2026-06-15T03:14:26.785Z2026-06-15T03:08:55.704ZS-EPMC128380444159561210.3390/biomedicines14010076