scholarly journals Transplantation of Rat Mesenchymal Stem Cells Overexpressing Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 2α Improves Blood Perfusion and Arteriogenesis in a Rat Hindlimb Ischemia Model

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Weifeng Lu ◽  
Xiaoli Chen ◽  
Yi Si ◽  
Shichai Hong ◽  
Zhengyu Shi ◽  
...  

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been increasingly tested in cell-based therapy to treat numerous diseases. Genetic modification to improve MSC behavior may enhance posttransplantation outcome. This study aims to test the potential therapeutic benefits of rat bone marrow MSCs overexpressing hypoxia-inducible factor 2α (rMSCsHIF-2α) in a rat hindlimb ischemia model. PBS, rMSCs, or rMSCsHIF-2α were injected into rat ischemic hindlimb. Compared with the injection of PBS or rMSCs, transplantation of rMSCsHIF-2α significantly improved blood perfusion, increased the number of vessel branches in the muscle of the ischemic hindlimb, and improved the foot mobility of the ischemic hindlimb (all P<0.05). rMSCHIF-2α transplantation also markedly increased the expression of proangiogenic factors VEGF, bFGF, and SDF1 and Notch signaling proteins including DII4, NICD, Hey1, and Hes1, whereas it reduced the expression of proapoptotic factor Bax in the muscle of the ischemic hindlimb. Overexpression of HIF-2α did not affect rMSC stemness and proliferation under normoxia but significantly increased rMSC migration and tube formation in matrigel under hypoxia (all P<0.05). RMSCsHIF-2α stimulated endothelial cell invasion under hypoxia significantly (P<0.05). Genetic modification of rMSCs via overexpression of HIF-2α improves posttransplantation outcomes in a rat hindlimb ischemia model possibly by stimulating proangiogenic growth factors and cytokines.

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (18) ◽  
pp. 4632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Musiał-Wysocka ◽  
Kot ◽  
Sułkowski ◽  
Majka

In recent years, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as a promising therapeutic modality in regenerative medicine. They hold great promise for treating civilization-wide diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, such as acute myocardial infarction and critical limb ischemia. MSCs isolated from Wharton’s jelly (WJ-MSCs) may be utilized in both cell-based therapy and vascular graft engineering to restore vascular function, thereby providing therapeutic benefits for patients. The efficacy of WJ-MSCs lies in their multipotent differentiation ability toward vascular smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells and other cell types, as well as their capacity to secrete various trophic factors, which are potent in promoting angiogenesis, inhibiting apoptosis and modulating immunoreaction. Ischemic limb disease is caused by insufficient nutrient and oxygen supplies resulting from damaged peripheral arteries. The lack of nutrients and oxygen causes severe tissue damage in the limb, thereby resulting in severe morbidities and mortality. The therapeutic effects of the conventional treatments are still not sufficient. Cell transplantations in small animal model (mice) are vital for deciphering the mechanisms of MSCs’ action in muscle regeneration. The stimulation of angiogenesis is a promising strategy for the treatment of ischemic limbs, restoring blood supply for the ischemic region. In the present study, we focus on the therapeutic properties of the human WJ-MSCs derived product, Cardio. We investigated the role of CardioCell in promoting angiogenesis and relieving hindlimb ischemia. Our results confirm the healing effect of CardioCell and strongly support the use of the WJ-MSCs in regenerative medicine.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dihan Zhu ◽  
Yang Wang ◽  
Miracle Thomas ◽  
KeAsiah McLaughlin ◽  
Babayewa Oguljahan ◽  
...  

Our previous study has revealed that exosomes from adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) promote angiogenesis in subcutaneously transplanted gels by delivery of microRNA-31 (miR-31) which targets factor inhibiting hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (FIH1) in recipient cells. Here we hypothesized that ASC exosomes alleviate ischemic diseases through miR-31/FIH1/hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) signaling pathway. Exosomes from ASCs were isolated by sequential centrifugations, and were characterized with nanoparticle tracking analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and immunoblotting analysis for exosomal markers. Results from laser imaging of ischemic mouse hindlimb revealed that exosomes enhanced the blood perfusion, and this enhancement was impaired when using miR-31-depleted exosomes. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that administration of exosomes resulted in a higher arteriole density and larger CD31+ area in ischemic hindlimb than miR-31-delpleted exosomes. Similarly, knockdown of miR-31 in exosomes reduced the effects of the exosomes on increasing ventricular fraction shortening and CD31+ area, and on decreasing infarct size. Exosomes promoted endothelial cell migration and tube formation. These changes were attenuated when miR-31 was depleted in the exosomes or when FIH1 was overexpressed in the endothelial cells. Furthermore, the results from co-immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that the effects of exosomes on elevating the binding of HIF-1α with co-activator p300 and enhancing HIF-1α activity were decreased when miR-31 was depleted in the exosomes or FIH1 was overexpressed. Our findings provide evidence that exosomes from ASCs promote angiogenesis in both mouse ischemic hindlimb and heart through transport of miR-31 which targets FIH1 and therefore triggers HIF-1α transcriptional activation.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jong Ho Choi ◽  
Yun Bin Lee ◽  
Jieun Jung ◽  
Seong Gyu Hwang ◽  
IL-Hoan Oh ◽  
...  

Although hypoxic environments have been known to regulate the migratory ability of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs), which is a critical factor for maximizing the therapeutic effect, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, we aimed to confirm the effect of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α) on the migration of BM-MSCs and to analyze the interaction between HIF-1αand integrin-mediated signals. Hypoxia-activated HIF-1αsignificantly increased BM-MSC migration. The expression of integrinα4was decreased in BM-MSCs by increased HIF-1αunder hypoxia, whereas the expression of Rho-associated kinase 1 (ROCK1) and Rac1/2/3 was increased. After downregulation of HIF-1αby YC-1, which is an inhibitor of HIF-1α, BM-MSC migration was decreased via upregulation of integrinα4and downregulation of ROCK1 and Rac1/2/3. Knockdown of integrinα4by integrinα4siRNA (siITGA4) treatment increased BM-MSC migration by upregulation of ROCK1, Rac1/2/3, and matrix metalloproteinase-2 regardless of oxygen tension. Moreover, siITGA4 treatment increased HIF-1αexpression and augmented the translocation of HIF-1αinto the nucleus under hypoxia. Taken together, the alternative expression of HIF-1αinduced by microenvironment factors, such as hypoxia and integrinα4, may regulate the migration of BM-MSCs. These findings may provide insights to the underlying mechanisms of BM-MSC migration for successful stem cell-based therapy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 4051
Author(s):  
Rami Ahmad Shahror ◽  
Chung-Che Wu ◽  
Yung-Hsiao Chiang ◽  
Kai-Yun Chen

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are emerging as an attractive approach for restorative medicine in central nervous system (CNS) diseases and injuries, such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), due to their relatively easy derivation and therapeutic effect following transplantation. However, the long-term survival of the grafted cells and therapeutic efficacy need improvement. Here, we review the recent application of MSCs in TBI treatment in preclinical models. We discuss the genetic modification approaches designed to enhance the therapeutic potency of MSCs for TBI treatment by improving their survival after transplantation, enhancing their homing abilities and overexpressing neuroprotective and neuroregenerative factors. We highlight the latest preclinical studies that have used genetically modified MSCs for TBI treatment. The recent developments in MSCs’ biology and potential TBI therapeutic targets may sufficiently improve the genetic modification strategies for MSCs, potentially bringing effective MSC-based therapies for TBI treatment in humans.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 327-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl R. Harrell ◽  
Marina Gazdic ◽  
Crissy Fellabaum ◽  
Nemanja Jovicic ◽  
Valentin Djonov ◽  
...  

Background: Amniotic Fluid Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (AF-MSCs) are adult, fibroblast- like, self-renewable, multipotent stem cells. During the last decade, the therapeutic potential of AF-MSCs, based on their huge differentiation capacity and immunomodulatory characteristics, has been extensively explored in animal models of degenerative and inflammatory diseases. Objective: In order to describe molecular mechanisms responsible for the therapeutic effects of AFMSCs, we summarized current knowledge about phenotype, differentiation potential and immunosuppressive properties of AF-MSCs. Methods: An extensive literature review was carried out in March 2018 across several databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar), from 1990 to present. Keywords used in the selection were: “amniotic fluid derived mesenchymal stem cells”, “cell-therapy”, “degenerative diseases”, “inflammatory diseases”, “regeneration”, “immunosuppression”. Studies that emphasized molecular and cellular mechanisms responsible for AF-MSC-based therapy were analyzed in this review. Results: AF-MSCs have huge differentiation and immunosuppressive potential. AF-MSCs are capable of generating cells of mesodermal origin (chondrocytes, osteocytes and adipocytes), neural cells, hepatocytes, alveolar epithelial cells, insulin-producing cells, cardiomyocytes and germ cells. AF-MSCs, in juxtacrine or paracrine manner, regulate proliferation, activation and effector function of immune cells. Due to their huge differentiation capacity and immunosuppressive characteristic, transplantation of AFMSCs showed beneficent effects in animal models of degenerative and inflammatory diseases of nervous, respiratory, urogenital, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal system. Conclusion: Considering the fact that amniotic fluid is obtained through routine prenatal diagnosis, with minimal invasive procedure and without ethical concerns, AF-MSCs represents a valuable source for cell-based therapy of organ-specific or systemic degenerative and inflammatory diseases.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei-Cheng Tseng ◽  
Pei-Ying Lee ◽  
Ming-Tsun Tsai ◽  
Fu-Pang Chang ◽  
Nien-Jung Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an emerging global healthcare issue without effective therapy yet. Autophagy recycles damaged organelles and helps maintain tissue homeostasis in acute renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Hypoxic mesenchymal stem cells (HMSCs) represent an innovative cell-based therapy in AKI. Moreover, the conditioned medium of HMSCs (HMSC-CM) rich in beneficial trophic factors may serve as a cell-free alternative therapy. Nonetheless, whether HMSCs or HMSC-CM mitigate renal I/R injury via modulating tubular autophagy remains unclear. Methods Renal I/R injury was induced by clamping of the left renal artery with right nephrectomy in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were injected with either PBS, HMSCs, or HMSC-CM immediately after the surgery and sacrificed 48 h later. Renal tubular NRK-52E cells subjected to hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) injury were co-cultured with HMSCs or treated with HMSC-CM to assess the regulatory effects of HSMCs on tubular autophagy and apoptosis. The association of tubular autophagy gene expression and renal recovery was also investigated in patients with ischemic AKI. Result HMSCs had a superior anti-oxidative effect in I/R-injured rat kidneys as compared to normoxia-cultured mesenchymal stem cells. HMSCs further attenuated renal macrophage infiltration and inflammation, reduced tubular apoptosis, enhanced tubular proliferation, and improved kidney function decline in rats with renal I/R injury. Moreover, HMSCs suppressed superoxide formation, reduced DNA damage and lipid peroxidation, and increased anti-oxidants expression in renal tubular epithelial cells during I/R injury. Co-culture of HMSCs with H/R-injured NRK-52E cells also lessened tubular cell death. Mechanistically, HMSCs downregulated the expression of pro-inflammatory interleukin-1β, proapoptotic Bax, and caspase 3. Notably, HMSCs also upregulated the expression of autophagy-related LC3B, Atg5 and Beclin 1 in renal tubular cells both in vivo and in vitro. Addition of 3-methyladenine suppressed the activity of autophagy and abrogated the renoprotective effects of HMSCs. The renoprotective effect of tubular autophagy was further validated in patients with ischemic AKI. AKI patients with higher renal LC3B expression were associated with better renal recovery. Conclusion The present study describes that the enhancing effect of MSCs, and especially of HMCSs, on tissue autophagy can be applied to suppress renal tubular apoptosis and attenuate renal impairment during renal I/R injury in the rat. Our findings provide further mechanistic support to HMSCs therapy and its investigation in clinical trials of ischemic AKI.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Virginia Egea ◽  
Kai Kessenbrock ◽  
Devon Lawson ◽  
Alexander Bartelt ◽  
Christian Weber ◽  
...  

AbstractBone marrow-derived human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are recruited to damaged or inflamed tissues where they contribute to tissue repair. This multi-step process involves chemokine-directed invasion of hMSCs and on-site release of factors that influence target cells or tumor tissues. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unclear. Previously, we described that microRNA let-7f controls hMSC differentiation. Here, we investigated the role of let-7f in chemotactic invasion and paracrine anti-tumor effects. Incubation with stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) or inflammatory cytokines upregulated let-7f expression in hMSCs. Transfection of hMSCs with let-7f mimics enhanced CXCR4-dependent invasion by augmentation of pericellular proteolysis and release of matrix metalloproteinase-9. Hypoxia-induced stabilization of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha in hMSCs promoted cell invasion via let-7f and activation of autophagy. Dependent on its endogenous level, let-7f facilitated hMSC motility and invasion through regulation of the autophagic flux in these cells. In addition, secreted let-7f encapsulated in exosomes was increased upon upregulation of endogenous let-7f by treatment of the cells with SDF-1α, hypoxia, or induction of autophagy. In recipient 4T1 tumor cells, hMSC-derived exosomal let-7f attenuated proliferation and invasion. Moreover, implantation of 3D spheroids composed of hMSCs and 4T1 cells into a breast cancer mouse model demonstrated that hMSCs overexpressing let-7f inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Our findings provide evidence that let-7f is pivotal in the regulation of hMSC invasion in response to inflammation and hypoxia, suggesting that exosomal let-7f exhibits paracrine anti-tumor effects.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianxin Yan ◽  
Jiaji Liang ◽  
Yingxuan Cao ◽  
Mariya M. El Akkawi ◽  
Xuan Liao ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exert positive effects in chronic wounds. However, critical parameters, such as the most effective administration routes, remain unclear. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to compare the effects of topical and systemic transplantation MSCs on diabetic ischemic wound healing and explored the underlying mechanisms. Method A diabetic ischemic wound model was created on the dorsal foot of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rat. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) were administered via two routes: topical injection and intravenous (IV) infusion. Wound healing outcomes and blood glucose level were assessed dynamically. Meanwhile, blood flow recovery was evaluated in ischemic gastrocnemius muscles. The homing and transdifferentiation of mKate2-labeled BM-MSCs were assessed by fluorescence imaging and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. Result Both topical and systemic treatments had a positive effect on the diabetic ischemic wound showing a significant reduction in wound area at day 14. Histological results showed an increase in the length of epithelial edges, collagen content, microvessel density in the wound bed, and a higher expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Meanwhile, systemic administration can ameliorate hyperglycemia and improve the blood perfusion of the ischemic hindlimb. BM-MSCs administered systemically were found distributed in wounded tissue and transdifferentiated into endothelial cells. Furthermore, BM-MSCs stimulated angiogenesis at wound sites by downregulating phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and activation of AKT signaling pathway. Conclusions The results demonstrated that both transplantation delivery method (topical and systemic) of BM-MSCs accelerated wound healing remarkably under pathological conditions. Nevertheless, systemic administration has the potential to ameliorate hyperglycemia and repair the damaged tissue.


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