VEGFR1/CXCR4-positive progenitor cells modulate local inflammation and augment tissue perfusion by a SDF-1-dependent mechanism

Recruitment and retention of circulating progenitor cells at the site of injured or ischemic tissues facilitates adult neo-vascularization. We hypothesized that cell therapy could modulate local neo-vascularization through the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) axis and by paracrine effects on local endothelial cells. We isolated from rat bone marrow a subset of multipotent adult progenitor cell-derived progenitor cells (MDPC). In vitro, MDPCs secreted multiple cytokines related to inflammation and angiogenesis, including monocyte chemotactic protein-1, SDF-1, basic fibroblast growth factor, and VEGF, and expressed the chemokine receptors CXCR4 and VEGFR1. To investigate in vivo properties, we transplanted MDPCs into the ischemic hind limbs of rats. Elevated levels of the chemokine SDF-1 and colocalization of CD11b⁺ cells marked the initial phase of tissue remodeling after cell transplantation. Prolonged engraftment was observed in the adventitial–medial border region of arterioles of ischemic muscles. However, engrafted cells did not differentiate into endothelial or smooth muscle cells. Limb perfusion normalized 4 weeks after cell injection. Inhibition of SDF-1 reduced the engraftment of transplanted cells and decreased endothelial cell proliferation. These findings suggest a two-stage model whereby transplanted MDPCs modulate wound repair through recruitment of inflammatory cells to ischemic tissue. This is an important potential mechanism for cell transplantation, in addition to the direct modulation of local vascular cells through paracrine mechanisms.     

大鼠脂肪干细胞联合碱性成纤维生长因子治疗大鼠心肌梗死

目的 探讨脂肪干细胞（ADSC）联合碱性成纤维生长因子（bFGF）提高心肌梗死大鼠心脏功能的可能机制.方法 SD大鼠50只,先行脂肪干细胞提取手术,分离、培养、鉴定脂肪干细胞,行干细胞成脂、成骨诱导分化,建立大鼠心肌梗死模型,选择缩短分数（FS）＜40％的SD大鼠（36只）,完全随机分4组：单纯注射PBS组（n=9）、单纯注射bFGF组（n=9）、PBS＋ADSC组（n=9）以及ADSC＋bFGF组（n=9）,以bFGF胶为可注射性载体,ADSC为种子细胞,1周后进行大鼠心梗部位移植.移植4周后对心梗面积、左心室室壁厚度、心梗部位微血管密度、ADSC在心梗部位分化情况等指标进行检测,并利用心脏超声对心梗大鼠的心脏功能进行测定.应用免疫组织化学、免疫荧光等方法评价其改善心脏功能可能机制.结果 成功分离ADSC并且通过流式细胞术表明大多数分离的脂肪干细胞CD90抗体阳性、CD29抗体阳性、CD45抗体和CD34抗体阴性.脂肪干细胞能够经过诱导分化成成脂、成骨细胞.PBS＋ADSC组以及ADSC＋bFGF组在室壁厚度、梗死面积、梗死区域微血管形成能力与PBS组相比,差异均有统计学意义,且以ADSC＋bFGF组最为显著（P＜0.01）.ADSC移植到大鼠心脏4周后,可以分化为cTnT阳性细胞、SMA阳性细胞以及vWAg阳性细胞.心功能检测结果表明PBS＋ADSC组同ADSC＋bFGF组一样,具有心梗修复能力.结论 移植ADSC的同时增加bFGF能促进梗死区的心肌再生以及血管化,并能显著改善心脏功能.     

Nitric oxide releasing hydrogel enhances the therapeutic efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells for myocardial infarction

Stem cell therapy has been proved to be an effective approach to ameliorate the heart remodeling post myocardial infarction (MI). However, poor cell engraftment and survival in ischemic myocardium limits the successful use of cellular therapy for treating MI. Here, we sought to transplant adipose derived-mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) with a hydrogel (NapFF-NO), naphthalene covalently conjugated a short peptide, FFGGG, and β-galactose caged nitric oxide (NO) donor, which can release NO molecule in response to β-galactosidase. AD-MSCs, either from transgenic mice that constitutively express GFP and firefly luciferase (Fluc), or express Fluc under the control of VEGFR2 promoter, were co-transplanted with NapFF-NO hydrogel into murine MI models. Improved cell survival and enhanced cardiac function were confirmed by bioluminescence imaging (BLI) and echocardiogram respectively. Moreover, increasing VEGFR2-luc expression was also tracked in real-time in vivo, indicating NapFF-NO hydrogel stimulated VEGF secretion of AD-MSCs. To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of NapFF-NO hydrogel, cell migration assay, paracrine action of AD-MSCs, and histology analysis were carried out. Our results revealed that condition medium from AD-MSCs cultured with NapFF-NO hydrogel could promote endothelial cell migration. Additionally, AD-MSCs showed significant improvement secretion of angiogenic factors VEGF and SDF-1α in the presence of NapFF-NO hydrogel. Finally, postmortem analysis confirmed that transplanted AD-MSCs with NapFF-NO hydrogel could ameliorate heart function by promoting angiogenesis and attenuating ventricular remodeling. In conclusion, NapFF-NO hydrogel can obviously improve therapeutic efficacy of AD-MSCs for MI by increasing cell engraftment and angiogenic paracrine action.     

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC) transfected with stromal derived factor 1 (SDF-1) for therapeutic neovascularization: enhancement of cell recruitment and entrapment

Recruited bone marrow-derived circulating cells (RBCCs) play a key role in therapeutic neovascularization. Several important steps take place during this process, which include mobilization, migration, recruitment, adhesion and invasion, entrapment, differentiation, as well as paracrine functions. Recent study indicated that recruitment and entrapment of RBCCs are vital steps in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced angiogenesis. This entrapment is modulated by another important chemokine: stromal derived factor 1 (SDF-1). We reason that the enhancement of entrapment might be a novel target for therapeutic neovascularization. Therefore we hypothesize that mesenchymal stem/stromal cells that secrete VEGF in situ could be transfected with SDF-1 (MSC(SDF-1)). Their combination could augment mobilization, recruitment, survival, and above all the entrapment of RBCCs, all of which might greatly augment the angiogenesis pathway. For these reasons, we further hypothesize that MSC(SDF-1) might become a next generation cell/chemokine therapy for therapeutic neovascularization.     

Human progenitor cell recruitment via SDF-1α coacervate-laden PGS vascular grafts

Host cell recruitment is crucial for vascular graft remodeling and integration into the native blood vessel; it is especially important for cell-free strategies which rely on host remodeling. Controlled release of growth factors from vascular grafts may enhance host cell recruitment. Stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1α has been shown to induce host progenitor cell migration and recruitment; however, its potential in regenerative therapies is often limited due to its short half-life in vivo. This report describes a coacervate drug delivery system for enhancing progenitor cell recruitment into an elastomeric vascular graft by conferring protection of SDF-1α. Heparin and a synthetic polycation are used to form a coacervate, which is incorporated into poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) scaffolds. In addition to protecting SDF-1α, the coacervate facilitates uniform scaffold coating. Coacervate-laden scaffolds have high SDF-1α loading efficiency and provide sustained release under static and physiologically-relevant flow conditions with minimal initial burst release. In vitro assays showed that coacervate-laden scaffolds enhance migration and infiltration of human endothelial and mesenchymal progenitor cells by maintaining a stable SDF-1α gradient. These results suggest that SDF-1α coacervate-laden scaffolds show great promise for in situ vascular regeneration.     

Blood vessel formation in the tissue-engineered bone with the constitutively active form of HIF-1α mediated BMSCs

The successful clinical outcome of the implanted tissue-engineered bone is dependent on the establishment of a functional vascular network. A gene-enhanced tissue engineering represents a promising approach for vascularization. Our previous study indicated that hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) can up-regulate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and stromal-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) in bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). The angiogenesis is a co-ordinated process that requires the participation of multiple angiogenic factors. To further explore the angiogenic effect of HIF-1α mediated stem cells, in this study, we systematically evaluated the function of HIF-1α in enhancing BMSCs angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. A constitutively active form of HIF-1α (CA5) was inserted into a lentivirus vector and transduced into BMSCs, and its effect on vascularization and vascular remodeling was further evaluated in a rat critical-sized calvarial defects model with a gelatin sponge (GS) scaffold. The expression of the key angiogenic factors including VEGF, SDF-1, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), placental growth factor (PLGF), angiopoietin 1 (ANGPT1), and stem cell factor (SCF) at both mRNAs and proteins levels in BMSCs were significantly enhanced by HIF-1α overexpression compared to the in vitro control group. In addition, HIF-1α-over expressing BMSCs showed dramatically improved blood vessel formation in the tissue-engineered bone as analyzed by photography of specimen, micro-CT, and histology. These data confirm the important role of HIF-1α in angiogenesis in tissue-engineered bone. Improved understanding of the mechanisms of angiogenesis may offer exciting therapeutic opportunities for vascularization, vascular remodeling, and bone defect repair using tissue engineering strategies in the future.     

The influence of chitosan hydrogel on stem cell engraftment, survival and homing in the ischemic myocardial microenvironment

One challenge of cellular cardiomyoplasty for myocardial infarction (MI) is how to improve MI microenvironment to facilitate stem cell engraftment, survival and homing for myocardial repair. The application of injectable hydrogels is an effective strategy. However, it has not been thoroughly investigated on the role of the injectable scaffolds, in improving MI microenvironment, providing space and guidance for cell survival, engraftment and homing. We explored an injectable chitosan hydrogel for stem cell delivery into ischemic heart and investigated the beneficial effects and mechanisms of the hydrogel. In vitro, H(2)O(2)-treatment was used to mimic reactive oxygen species (ROS) microenvironment. The influence of ROS and protection of chitosan components on adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) was analyzed too. In vivo, MI was induced by the left anterior descending artery ligation in SD rats. PBS, chitosan hydrogel, ADSC/PBS and ADSC/chitosan hydrogel were injected into the border of infracted hearts respectively. Multi-techniques were used to assess the beneficial effects of chitosan hydrogel after transplantation. We observed that ROS generated by ischemia would impair ADSC adhesion molecules, including integrin-related adhesion molecules integrin αV and β1, focal adhesion-related molecules p-FAK and p-Src, and corresponding ligands of host myocardium ICAM1 and VCAM1. Chitosan hydrogel could rescue these molecules through ROS scavenging and recruit key chemokine for stem cell homing, such as SDF-1. The results suggest that chitosan hydrogel could improve MI microenvironment, enhance stem cell engraftment, survival and homing in ischemic heart through ROS scavenging and chemokine recruitment, contributing to myocardial repair.     

Cathelicidin Related Antimicrobial Peptide (CRAMP) Enhances Bone Marrow Cell Retention and Attenuates Cardiac Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of Myocardial Infarction

Background

Acute myocardial infarction (MI) and the ensuing ischemic heart disease are approaching epidemic state. Unfortunately, no definitive therapies are available and human regenerative therapies have conflicting results. Limited stem cell retention following intracoronary administration has reduced the clinical efficacy of this novel therapy. Cathelicidin related antimicrobial peptides (CRAMPs) enhance chemotactic responsiveness of BMSPCs to low SDF-1 gradients, suggesting a potential role in BMSPCs engraftment. Here, we assessed the therapeutic efficacy of CRAMPs in the context of BMSPCs recruitment and retention via intracardiac delivery of CRAMP-treated BMSPCs or CRAMP-releasing hydrogels (HG) post-AMI.

Methods

For cell transplantation experiments, mice were randomized into 3 groups: MI followed by injection of PBS, BMMNCs alone, and BMMNCs pre-incubated with CRAMP. During the in vivo HG studies, BM GFP chimera mice were randomized into 4 groups: MI followed by injection of HG alone, HG?+?SDF-1, HG?+?CRAMP, HG?+?SDF-1?+?CRAMP. Changes in cardiac function at 5 weeks after MI were assessed using echocardiography. Angiogenesis was assessed using isolectin staining for capillary density.

Results

Mice treated with BMMNCs pre-incubated with CRAMP had smaller scars, enhanced cardiac recovery and less adverse remodeling. Histologically, this group had higher capillary density. Similarly, sustained CRAMP release from hydrogels enhanced the therapeutic effect of SDF-1, leading to enhanced functional recovery, smaller scar size and higher capillary density.

Conclusion

Cathelicidins enhance BMMNC retention and recruitment after intramyocardial administration post-AMI resulting in improvements in heart physiology and recovery. Therapies employing these strategies may represent an attractive method for improving outcomes of regenerative therapies in human studies.

     

The SDF-1-CXCR4 signaling pathway: a molecular hub modulating neo-angiogenesis

Pro-angiogenic bone marrow (BM) cells include subsets of hematopoietic cells that provide vascular support and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which under certain permissive conditions could differentiate into functional vascular cells. Recent evidence demonstrates that the chemokine stromal-cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1, also known as CXCL12) has a major role in the recruitment and retention of CXCR4(+) BM cells to the neo-angiogenic niches supporting revascularization of ischemic tissue and tumor growth. However, the precise mechanism by which activation of CXCR4 modulates neo-angiogenesis is not clear. SDF-1 not only promotes revascularization by engaging with CXCR4 expressed on the vascular cells but also supports mobilization of pro-angiogenic CXCR4(+)VEGFR1(+) hematopoietic cells, thereby accelerating revascularization of ischemic organs. Here, we attempt to define the multiple functions of the SDF-1-CXCR4 signaling pathway in the regulation of neo-vascularization during acute ischemia and tumor growth. In particular, we introduce the concept that, by modulating plasma SDF-1 levels, the CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100 acutely promotes, while chronic AMD3100 treatment inhibits, mobilization of pro-angiogenic cells. We will also discuss strategies to modulate the mobilization of essential subsets of BM cells that participate in neo-angiogenesis, setting up the stage for enhancing revascularization or targeting tumor vessels by exploiting CXCR4 agonists and antagonists, respectively.     

The effect of stromal cell-derived factor-1α/heparin coating of biodegradable vascular grafts on the recruitment of both endothelial and smooth muscle progenitor cells for accelerated regeneration

Small-diameter synthetic vascular grafts have high failure rate and tissue-engineered blood vessels are limited by the scalability. Here we engineered bioactive materials for in situ vascular tissue engineering, which recruits two types of endogenous progenitor cells for the regeneration of blood vessels. Heparin was conjugated to microfibrous vascular grafts to suppress thrombogenic responses, and stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) was immobilized onto heparin to recruit endogenous progenitor cells. Heparin-bound SDF-1α was more stable than adsorbed SDF-1α under both static and flow conditions. Microfibrous grafts were implanted in rats by anastomosis to test the functional performance. Heparin coating improved the short-term patency, and immobilized SDF-1α further improved the long-term patency. SDF-1α effectively recruited endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) to the luminal surface of the grafts, which differentiated into endothelial cells (ECs) and accelerated endothelialization. More interestingly, SDF-1α increased the recruitment of smooth muscle progenitor cells (SMPCs) to the grafts, and SMPCs differentiated into smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in?vivo and in?vitro. Consistently, SDF-1α-immobilized grafts had significantly higher elastic modulus. This work demonstrates the feasibility of simultaneously recruiting progenitor cells of ECs and SMCs for in situ blood vessel regeneration. This in situ tissue engineering approach will have broad applications in regenerative medicine.     

Differential effects of TGF-β1 and FGF-2 on SDF-1α expression in human periodontal ligament cells derived from deciduous teeth in vitro

Stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1α has been reported to play a crucial role in stem cell homing and recruitment to injured sites. However, no information is available about its role in periodontal tissues. The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 on SDF-1α expression in immortalized periodontal ligament (PDL) cells derived from deciduous teeth (SH9 cells). Real-time PCR and western blot analyses showed that SDF-1α mRNA expression in SH9 cells was markedly inhibited by FGF-2 treatment for 48 h. SU5402, which directly interacts with the catalytic domain of the FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1) and suppresses its phosphorylation, inhibited the FGF-2-related decrease in SDF-1α expression. These results suggest that FGF-2 signaling via the FGFR1 pathway inhibits SDF-1α expression. Conversely, SDF-1α expression in SH9 cells was increased by TGF-β1 treatment for 12 h. Western blot analysis showed that this treatment induced Smad2/3 phosphorylation. A time-course experiment showed that SDF-1α expression levels reached a maximum 12 h after the TGF-β1 treatment and returned to basal levels by 48 h. Real-time PCR analysis showed that Smad7 mRNA expression peaked by 6 h after TGF-β1 treatment. Since Smad7 siRNA downregulated Smad7 expression by approximately 2.5-fold compared with the negative control siRNA, the induction of SDF-1α expression was prolonged. Furthermore, treatment of SH9 cells with TGF-β1 for 12 h induced transwell migration of UE7T-13 cells, which are mesenchymal stem cells derived from human bone marrow. Therefore, SDF-1α may play an important role in stem and progenitor cell recruitment and homing to injured sites in the periodontal ligament, and regulation of SDF-1α expression may be a useful tool in cell-based therapy for periodontal tissue regeneration.     

血红素氧合酶-1修饰的骨髓间充质干细胞心肌移植对梗死后心肌细胞凋亡及左心室功能的影响

目的： 探讨血红素氧合酶-1(HO-1)修饰的骨髓间充质干细胞(MSCs)对心肌梗死后心肌细胞凋亡及左心室功能的影响。方法: 取大鼠骨髓,体外分离扩增培养MSCs,HO-1腺病毒转染。结扎左前降支1 h后,分别将HO-1-MSCs、MSCs多点注射到大鼠心脏梗死区周边,对照组注射等量PBS。移植后第4 d,Western blotting检测梗死区周边HO-1蛋白、促凋亡蛋白Bax的表达;ELISA检测梗死区周边组织细胞因子血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)、b-成纤维生长因子(bFGF)的表达,第7 d超声心动图检测各组大鼠心功能变化。4周后,取梗死区周边心肌行Masson染色和免疫组化CD34因子染色。结果: Adv-HO-1转染MSCs后获稳定表达;HO-1蛋白在HO-1-MSCs组的表达明显高于MSCs组和对照组(P<0.01);促凋亡蛋白Bax的表达明显低于其它2组(P<0.01);细胞因子VEGF、bFGF的表达不同程度地高于其它2组(P<0.01)。HO-1-MSCs组左室收缩功能各项指标明显优于其它2组(P<0.01)。移植4周后,HO-1-MSCs组梗死区周边毛细血管密度明显高于MSCs组和对照组(P<0.01),HO-1-MSCs组心室壁变厚,心室腔明显缩小,胶原蛋白沉积减少。结论: HO-1修饰的MSCs分泌细胞因子协同HO-1蛋白抑制心肌细胞凋亡,促血管新生,抑制心室重构,改善心功能。     

Membrane estrogen receptor alpha is an important modulator of bone marrow C-Kit+ cells mediated cardiac repair after myocardial infarction

It has been validated that c-kit positive (c-kit⁺) cells in infarcted myocardium are from bone marrow (BM). Given the recent study that in the heart, estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) is involved in adaptive mechanisms by supporting cardiomyocytes survival via post-infarct cardiac c-kit⁺ cells, we tested a novel hypothesis that membrane ERα (mERа) supports survival of BM c-kit⁺ cells and enhance protective paracrine function for cardiac repair. Our data showed that myocardial infarction (MI) leads to an increase in c-kit⁺ first in bone marrow and then specifically within the infarcted myocardium. Also up-regulated mERа in post-infarct BM c-kit⁺ cells was found in day 3 post MI. In vitro co-culture system, mERа⁺ enhances the beneficial effects of BM c-kit⁺ cells by increasing their viability and reducing apoptosis. Post-infarct c-kit⁺ mERа⁺ cells population expresses predominant ERα and holds self-renewal as well as cardiac differentiation potentials after MI. In vivo, BM c-kit⁺ cells reduced infarct size, fibrosis and improved cardiac function. In conclusion, BM c-kit⁺ mERа⁺ exerted significantly cardiac protection after MI. A potential important implication of this study is that the manipulation of BM c-kit⁺ stem cells with ERа-dependent fashion may be helpful in recovering functional performance after cardiac tissue injury.     

Down-modulation of monocyte transendothelial migration and endothelial adhesion molecule expression by fibroblast growth factor: reversal by the anti-angiogenic agent SU6668

Basic and acidic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF and aFGF, respectively) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) exert angiogenic actions and have a role in wound healing, inflammation, and tumor growth. Monocytes and endothelial cells are involved in these processes, but the effect of FGF and VEGF on monocyte-endothelial cell interactions has not been defined. We observed that monocyte adhesion to resting or cytokine (tumor necrosis factor-alpha or interleukin-1 alpha)-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was markedly inhibited (40 to 65%) by culture (1 to 6 days) of HUVECs with aFGF or bFGF. Monocyte transendothelial migration induced by C5a and chemokines (MCP-1, SDF-1 alpha, RANTES, MIP-1 alpha) was also suppressed (by 50 to 75%) on bFGF-stimulated HUVECs. VEGF did not have these effects at the concentrations used (10 to 20 ng/ml), although like bFGF, it promoted HUVEC proliferation. Culture of HUVECs with bFGF and aFGF significantly down-regulated intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and E-selectin expression on resting or tumor necrosis factor-alpha-stimulated HUVECs, but had no influence on platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM)-1 and VE-cadherin expression. bFGF also inhibited MCP-1 production by HUVECs. The inhibitory effects of bFGF on monocyte transendothelial migration and adhesion molecule expression were reversed by SU6668, an anti-angiogenic agent and bFGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Our results suggest that bFGF and aFGF may suppress endothelial-dependent monocyte recruitment and thus have an anti-inflammatory action during angiogenesis in chronic inflammation but inhibit the immunoinflammatory tumor defense mechanism. However, SU6668 is an effective agent to prevent this down-regulatory action of bFGF on monocyte-endothelial cell interactions.     

Vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor induce expression of CXCR4 on human endothelial cells: In vivo neovascularization induced by stromal-derived factor-1alpha

The contribution of chemokines toward angiogenesis is currently a focus of intensive investigation. Certain members of the CXC chemokine family can induce bovine capillary endothelial cell migration in vitro and corneal angiogenesis in vivo, and apparently act via binding to their receptors CXCR1 and CXCR2. We used an RNAse protection assay that permitted the simultaneous detection of mRNA for various CXC chemokine receptors in resting human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and detected low levels of only CXCR4 mRNA. Stimulation of HUVECs with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) up-regulated levels of only CXCR4 mRNA. CXCR4 specifically binds the chemokine stromal-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha). Competitive binding studies using 125I-labeled SDF-1alpha with Scatchard analysis indicated that VEGF or bFGF induced an average number of approximately 16,600 CXCR4 molecules per endothelial cell, with a Kd = 1.23 x 10(-9) mol/L. These receptors were functional as HUVECs and human aorta endothelial cells (HAECs) migrated toward SDF-1alpha. Although SDF-1alpha-induced chemotaxis was inhibited by the addition of a neutralizing monoclonal CXCR4 antibody, endothelial chemotaxis toward VEGF was not altered; therefore, the angiogenic effect of VEGF is independent of SDF-1alpha. Furthermore, subcutaneous SDF-1alpha injections into mice induced formation of local small blood vessels that was accompanied by leukocytic infiltrates. To test whether these effects were dependent on circulating leukocytes, we successfully obtained SDF-1alpha-induced neovascularization from cross sections of leukocyte-free rat aorta. Taken together, our data indicate that SDF-1alpha acts as a potent chemoattractant for endothelial cells of different origins bearing CXCR4 and is a participant in angiogenesis that is regulated at the receptor level by VEGF and bFGF.     

The role of endothelium in the regulation of hematopoietic stem cell migration

Mobilization of hematopoietic progenitor cells appears to be a multifactorial process which is at least partially regulated at the level of bone marrow microvascular endothelium (BMEC). In order to study the regulation of progenitor cell migration by endothelium in vitro, methods have been developed to isolate BMEC from bone marrow aspirates. In addition, immortalized BMEC cell lines have been generated. Using an in vitro model of migration across bone marrow endothelium, we demonstrate that only a small number of more mature, committed progenitors migrate spontaneously. In this model, adhesion molecules of the beta2-integrin family and the corresponding endothelial ligands are involved. The low spontaneous migratory capacity suggests that, in addition to adhesion molecules which mediate direct cellular contacts, paracrine cytokines and chemokines may play a role in progenitor migration across endothelium. Growth-factor-stimulated hematopoietic cells can produce cytokines which act on endothelial cells (e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF), modifying their motility, growth, permeability, and fenestration. Therefore, VEGF might be involved in the mobilization and homing of hematopoietic progenitor cells. Furthermore, transendothelial migration of progenitors in vitro is substantially enhanced by the chemokine stromal-cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), which is produced by bone marrow stromal cells. More primitive progenitors, which do not migrate spontaneously, also respond to this chemokine. We conclude that transendothelial progenitor cell migration is regulated by adhesion molecules, paracrine cytokines, and chemokines. Mobilizing hematopoietic growth factors stimulate proliferation of hematopoietic cells, which may indirectly result in changes of the local cytokine and chemokine milieu, adhesion molecule expression, and eventually the mobilization of hematopoietic progenitor cells.     

Fibroblast growth factor 2 inhibits the expression of stromal cell-derived factor 1α in periodontal ligament cells derived from human permanent teeth in vitro

Although cells derived from periodontal ligament (PDL) tissue are reported to have stem cell-like activity and are speculated to play a crucial role for tissue healing and regeneration after injury or orthodontic treatment, mechanisms regulating their recruitment and activation remain unknown. Recently, stromal cell-derived factor 1α (SDF-1α) has been reported to be important for stem cell homing and recruitment to injured sites. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2) affects the expression of SDF-1α in PDL cells derived from human permanent teeth in vitro. Using real-time PCR, the expression of SDF-1α mRNA in PDL cells was inhibited by treatment with 10 ng/ml FGF-2. When PDL cells were treated with SU5402 (an inhibitor of FGF receptor 1) in combination with FGF-2, the FGF-2-reduced expression of SDF-1α was inhibited. In the presence of the JNK inhibitor SP600125, SDF-1α mRNA in PDL cells was not suppressed by the FGF-2 treatment. Western blot analysis also showed that SDF-1α production was suppressed by treatment with FGF-2, but it recovered with treatment by FGF-2 + SU5402. These findings suggest that SDF-1α from PDL cells plays an important role in the regeneration and homeostasis of periodontal tissues via the recruitment of stem cells.     

Akt is a key modulator of endothelial progenitor cell trafficking in ischemic muscle

Trafficking of transplanted endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) to ischemic tissue is enhanced by stromal-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). However, it has not been studied how these cytokines modulate the local milieu to entrap EPCs. This study was performed to elucidate a molecular pathway of trafficking EPCs through Akt and to test its application as an adjuvant modality to increase EPC homing. In a mouse hind limb ischemia model, systemically administered 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine-labeled mouse EPCs showed three stages of homing to ischemic limb: adhesion to endothelial cells (ECs), incorporation to capillary, and transendothelial migration into extravascular space. As an underlying mechanism to control adhesion of EPCs to ECs, we found that Akt was activated in ECs of ischemic muscle by ischemia-induced VEGF and SDF-1. In vitro and in vivo experiments using adenoviral vector for constitutively active or dominant-negative Akt genes showed that activated Akt enhanced intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) expression on ECs. Akt activation in ECs also enhanced EPC incorporation to ECs and transendothelial migration in vitro experiments. Activated Akt was sufficient for induction of EPC homing even in normal hind limb, where VEGF or SDF-1 was not increased. Finally, local Akt gene transfer to ischemic limb significantly enhanced homing of systemically administered EPCs, new vessel formation, blood flow recovery, and tissue healing. Akt plays a key role in EPC homing to ischemic limb by controlling ICAM-1 and transendothelial migration. Modulation of Akt in the target tissue may be an adjunctive measure to enhance homing of systemically administered stem cells, suggesting a possibility of cell-and-gene hybrid therapy. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.     

体外心肌梗死微环境下大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞向内皮样细胞的分化

背景：间充质干细胞来源于中胚层,具有多向分化的能力。有研究显示骨髓间充质干细胞有向内皮细胞分化的能力,从而有助于心肌梗死后心脏新生血管的形成和心肌修复。 目的：观察骨髓间充质干细胞体外成内皮样细胞分化的特点,以及体外模拟心肌梗死微环境对骨髓间充质干细胞向内皮样细胞分化的影响。 方法：骨髓取自SD大鼠股骨和胫骨,骨髓分离培养骨髓间充质干细胞,体外扩增,对其形态学、增殖能力及多向分化能力进行鉴定;建立大鼠心肌梗死模型,制备8 h、3 d、1周、2周、4周梗死后不同时间点心肌组织的匀浆,分别加入到由血管内皮生长因子、碱性成纤维细胞生长因子β、胰岛素样生长因子1组成的内皮细胞诱导体系中,共同诱导2周后,观察不同时间的心肌组织匀浆对骨髓间充质干细胞增殖和成内皮分化的影响,检测vWF特异性抗原及表达的阳性率。 结果与结论：通过对培养细胞的形态学及功能鉴定,证明其为骨髓间充质干细胞,并具有成骨、成脂肪细胞、成内皮样细胞分化的能力。加入生长因子诱导体系诱导后的细胞部分表达vWF,梗死心肌匀浆与生长因子共同作用,能促进骨髓间充质干细胞向内皮细胞分化,vWF阳性率提高(P < 0.05)。RT-PCR显示加入梗死1周心肌组织匀浆诱导的骨髓间充质干细胞其vWF阳性表达率最高。提示骨髓间充质干细胞是一种具有多向分化能力的有别于造血干细胞的另一种骨髓干细胞。骨髓间充质干细胞具有向内皮分化的能力,且加入梗死心肌组织匀浆的诱导体系在体外可促进骨髓间充质干细胞向内皮细胞的分化。应用骨髓间充质干细胞治疗的最佳时机在1周为宜。