Detection and characterization of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in normal rat blood

Endothelial progenitor cells for fabrication of engineered vascular units and angiogenesis induction

The promotion of vascularization and angiogenesis in the grafts is a crucial phenomenon in the healing process and tissue engineering. It has been shown that stem cells, especially endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), can stimulate blood vessel formation inside the engineered hydrogels after being transplanted into the target sites. The incorporation of EPCs into the hydrogel can last the retention time, long-term survival, on-target delivery effects, migration and differentiation into mature endothelial cells. Despite these advantages, further modifications are mandatory to increase the dynamic growth and angiogenesis potential of EPCs in in vitro and in vivo conditions. Chemical modifications of distinct composites with distinct physical properties can yield better regenerative potential and angiogenesis during several pathologies. Here, we aimed to collect recent findings related to the application of EPCs in engineered vascular grafts and/or hydrogels for improving vascularization in the grafts. Data from the present article can help us in the application of EPCs as valid cell sources in the tissue engineering of several ischemic tissues.

Endothelial progenitor cells in the host defense response

Extensive injury of endothelial cells in blood vasculature, especially in the microcirculatory system, frequently occurs in hosts suffering from sepsis and the accompanied systemic inflammation. Pathological factors, including toxic components derived from invading microbes, oxidative stress associated with tissue ischemia/reperfusion, and vessel active mediators generated during the inflammatory response, are known to play important roles in mediating endothelial injury. Collapse of microcirculation and tissue edema developed from the failure of endothelial barrier function in vital organ systems, including the lung, brain, and kidney, are detrimental, which often predict fatal outcomes. The host body possesses a substantial capacity for maintaining vascular homeostasis and repairing endothelial damage. Bone marrow and vascular wall niches house endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). In response to septic challenges, EPCs in their niche environment are rapidly activated for proliferation and angiogenic differentiation. In the meantime, release of EPCs from their niches into the blood stream and homing of these vascular precursors to tissue sites of injury are markedly increased. The recruited EPCs actively participate in host defense against endothelial injury and repair of damage in blood vasculature via direct differentiation into endothelial cells for re-endothelialization as well as production of vessel active mediators to exert paracrine and autocrine effects on angiogenesis/vasculogenesis. In recent years, investigations on significance of EPCs in host defense and molecular signaling mechanisms underlying regulation of the EPC response have achieved substantial progress, which promotes exploration of vascular precursor cell-based approaches for effective prevention and treatment of sepsis-induced vascular injury as well as vital organ system failure.

Vascular precursor cells in tissue injury repair

Vascular precursor cells include stem cells and progenitor cells giving rise to all mature cell types in the wall of blood vessels. When tissue injury occurs, local hypoxia and inflammation result in the generation of vasculogenic mediators which orchestrate migration of vascular precursor cells from their niche environment to the site of tissue injury. The intricate crosstalk among signaling pathways coordinates vascular precursor cell proliferation and differentiation during neovascularization. Establishment of normal blood perfusion plays an essential role in the effective repair of the injured tissue. In recent years, studies on molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of vascular precursor cell function have achieved substantial progress, which promotes exploration of vascular precursor cell-based approaches to treat chronic wounds and ischemic diseases in vital organ systems. Verification of safety and establishment of specific guidelines for the clinical application of vascular precursor cell-based therapy remain major challenges in the field.

Cancer associated fibroblasts have phenotypic and functional characteristics similar to the fibrocytes that represent a novel MDSC subset

Circulating fibrocytes were reported to represent a novel myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) subset and they were also proposed to be involved in the tumor immune escape. This novel fibrocyte subset had a surface phenotype resembling non-monocytic MDSCs (CD14^-CD11c^hiCD123^-) and exhibited immunomodulatory roles. Most effector functions of fibrocytes (circulating fibroblast-progenitors) are accomplished as tissue fibroblasts, likewise in the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, fibroblasts at tumor tissues should be evaluated whether they display similar molecular/gene expression patterns and functional roles to the blood-borne fibrocytes. A chemically induced rat breast carcinogenesis model was utilized to obtain cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs). CAFs and normal tissue fibroblasts (NFs) were isolated from cancerous and healthy breast tissues, respectively, using a previously described enzymatic protocol. Both CAFs and NFs were analyzed for cell surface phenotypes by flow cytometry and for gene expression profiles by gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). PBMCs were cocultured with either NFs or CAFs and proliferations of PBMCs were assessed by CFSE assays. Morphological analyses were performed by immunocytochemistry stainings with vimentin. CAFs were spindle shaped cells unlike their blood-borne counterparts. They did not express CD80 and their MHC-II expression was lower than NFs. Although CAFs expressed the myeloid marker CD11b/c, its expression was lower than that on the circulating fibrocytes. CAFs did not express granulocytic/neutrophilic markers and they seemed to have developed in an environment containing T_HELPER2-like cytokines. They also showed immunosuppressive effects similar to their blood-borne counterparts. In summary, CAFs showed similar phenotypic and functional characteristics to the circulating fibrocytes that were reported to represent a unique MDSC subset.

Scientific and Regulatory Policy Committee Points-to-consider Paper*

Drug-induced vascular injury (DIVI) is a recurrent challenge in the development of novel pharmaceutical agents. Although DIVI in laboratory animal species has been well characterized for vasoactive small molecules, there is little available information regarding DIVI associated with biotherapeutics such as peptides/proteins or antibodies. Because of the uncertainty about whether DIVI in preclinical studies is predictive of effects in humans and the lack of robust biomarkers of DIVI, preclinical DIVI findings can cause considerable delays in or even halt development of promising new drugs. This review discusses standard terminology, characteristics, and mechanisms of DIVI associated with biotherapeutics. Guidance and points to consider for the toxicologist and pathologist facing preclinical cases of biotherapeutic-related DIVI are outlined, and examples of regulatory feedback for each of the mechanistic types of DIVI are included to provide insight into risk assessment.

Control of both myeloid cell infiltration and angiogenesis by CCR1 promotes liver cancer metastasis development in mice

Expression of the CC chemokine receptor 1 (CCR1) by tumor cells has been associated with protumoral activity; however, its role in nontumoral cells during tumor development remains elusive. Here, we investigated the role of CCR1 deletion on stromal and hematopoietic cells in a liver metastasis tumor model. Metastasis development was strongly impaired in CCR1-deficient mice compared to control mice and was associated with reduced liver monocyte infiltration. To decipher the role of myeloid cells, sublethally irradiated mice were reconstituted with CCR1-deficient bone marrow (BM) and showed better survival rates than the control reconstituted mice. These results point toward the involvement of CCR1 myeloid cell infiltration in the promotion of tumor burden. In addition, survival rates were extended in CCR1-deficient mice receiving either control or CCR1-deficient BM, indicating that host CCR1 expression on nonhematopoietic cells also supports tumor growth. Finally, we found defective tumor-induced neoangiogenesis (in vitro and in vivo) in CCR1-deficient mice. Overall, our results indicate that CCR1 expression by both hematopoietic and nonhematopoietic cells favors tumor aggressiveness. We propose CCR1 as a potential therapeutical target for liver metastasis therapy.

Targeting the endothelial progenitor cell surface proteome to identify novel mechanisms that mediate angiogenic efficacy in a rodent model of vascular disease

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) promote angiogenesis, and clinical trials suggest autologous EPC-based therapy may be effective in treatment of vascular diseases. Albeit promising, variability in the efficacy of EPCs associated with underlying disease states has hindered the realization of EPC-based therapy. Here we first identify and characterize EPC dysfunction in a rodent model of vascular disease (SS/Mcwi rat) that exhibits impaired angiogenesis. To identify molecular candidates that mediate the angiogenic potential of these cells, we performed a broad analysis of cell surface protein expression using chemical labeling combined with mass spectrometry. Analysis revealed EPCs derived from SS/Mcwi rats express significantly more type 2 low-affinity immunoglobulin Fc-gamma (FCGR2) and natural killer 2B4 (CD244) receptors compared with controls. Genome-wide sequencing (RNA-seq) and qt-PCR confirmed isoforms of CD244 and FCGR2a transcripts were increased in SS/Mcwi EPCs. EPCs with elevated expression of FCGR2a and CD244 receptors are predicted to increase the probability of SS/Mcwi EPCs being targeted for death, providing a mechanistic explanation for their reduced angiogenic efficacy in vivo. Pathway analysis supported this contention, as "key" molecules annotated to cell death paths were differentially expressed in the SS/Mcwi EPCs. We speculate that screening and neutralization of cell surface proteins that "tag" and impair EPC function may provide an alternative approach to utilizing incompetent EPCs in greater numbers, as circulating EPCs are depleted in patients with vascular disease. Overall, novel methods to identify putative targets for repair of EPCs using discovery-based technologies will likely provide a major advance in the field of regenerative medicine.

Nox2 and Nox4 influence neonatal c-kit(+) cardiac precursor cell status and differentiation

Redox status has emerged as critical in modulating stemness and lineage commitment in several precursor cell types. However, a role for redox genes, specifically NADPH oxidases (Nox), in cardiac precursor cells (CPCs) has not been established. We tested whether CPCs marked by type III receptor tyrosine kinase c-kit (c-kit(+)) exhibit a unique NADPH oxidase signature that confers precursor status and whether alterations in this profile are functionally linked to changes in lineage specification. Dihydroethidium (DHE) microfluorography indicated reduced basal reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation within early postnatal c-kit(+) CPCs. Real-time quantitative PCR revealed downregulation of ROS generator Nox2 and its subunit p67(phox) in c-kit(+) CPCs under basal conditions but upregulation of Nox2 and Nox4 over the course of differentiation. Adenoviral silencing of Nox2 and Nox4 increased expression of CPC markers c-kit and Flk-1 and blunted smooth and cardiac muscle differentiation, respectively, while overexpression of Nox2 and Nox4 significantly reduced c-kit expression. These changes were accompanied by altered expression of transcription factors regulating cardiac lineage commitment, Gata6 and Gata4, and cytokine transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. Similar to other precursor cell types, RT(2)Profiler PCR Arrays revealed that c-kit(+) CPCs also exhibit enhanced antioxidant capacity at the mRNA level. In conclusion, we report that c-kit(+) CPCs demonstrate reduced Nox2 expression and ROS levels and that increases in Nox2 and Nox4 influence their differentiation into mature cells. We speculate that ROS generators Nox2 and Nox4, along with the antioxidant genes identified by PCR Arrays, may be novel targets in CPCs that could prove useful in cell-based therapy of the heart.

Mobilization of endogenous stem cell populations enhances fracture healing in a murine femoral fracture model

BACKGROUND AIMS

Delivery of bone marrow-derived stem and progenitor cells to the site of injury is an effective strategy to enhance bone healing. An alternate approach is to mobilize endogenous, heterogeneous stem cells that will home to the site of injury. AMD3100 is an antagonist of the chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) that rapidly mobilizes stem cell populations into peripheral blood. Our hypothesis was that increasing circulating numbers of stem and progenitor cells using AMD3100 will improve bone fracture healing.

METHODS

A transverse femoral fracture was induced in C57BL/6 mice, after which they were subcutaneously injected for 3 d with AMD3100 or saline control. Mesenchymal stromal cells, hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and endothelial progenitor cells in the peripheral blood and bone marrow were evaluated by means of flow cytometry, automated hematology analysis and cell culture 24 h after injection and/or fracture. Healing was assessed up to 84 d after fracture by histomorphometry and micro-computed tomography.

RESULTS

AMD3100 injection resulted in higher numbers of circulating mesenchymal stromal cells, hematopoietic stem cells and endothelial progenitor cells. Micro-computed tomography data demonstrated that the fracture callus was significantly larger compared with the saline controls at day 21 and significantly smaller (remodeled) at day 84. AMD3100-treated mice have a significantly higher bone mineral density than do saline-treated counterparts at day 84.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data demonstrate that early cell mobilization had significant positive effects on healing throughout the regenerative process. Rapid mobilization of endogenous stem cells could provide an effective alternative strategy to cell transplantation for enhancing tissue regeneration.

CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling and other recruitment and homing pathways in fracture repair

Cell recruitment, migration and homing to the fracture site are essential for the inflammatory process, neovascularization, chondrogenesis, osteogenesis and ultimately bone remodeling. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are required to navigate from local sources such as the periosteum and local bone marrow, and may also be recruited from the circulation and distant bone marrow. While the local recruitment process may involve matrix binding and degradation, systemic recruitment may utilize extravasation, a process used by leukocytes to exit the vasculature. CXCL12 (stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1)), a member of the CXC family of chemokines, is thought to have an important role in cell migration at the fracture site. However, there are many molecules upregulated in the hematoma and callus that have chemotactic potential not only for inflammatory cells but also for endothelial cells and MSCs. Surprisingly, there is little direct data to support their role in cell homing during bone healing. Current therapeutics for bone regeneration utilize local or systemic stem cell transplantation. More recently, a novel strategy that involves mobilization of large numbers of endogenous stem and progenitor cells from bone marrow into the circulation has been shown to have positive effects on bone healing. A more complete understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying cell recruitment and homing subsequent to fracture will facilitate the fine-tuning of such strategies for bone.

Primary endothelial damage is the mechanism of cardiotoxicity of tubulin-binding drugs

The use of tubulin binders (TBs) in the treatment of cancer often is associated with cardiotoxicity, the mechanism of which has not been elucidated. To test the hypothesis that interstitial cells of the myocardium are the primary target of TBs, we evaluated the acute effects of a single iv administration of three reference TBs: colchicine (0.2 and 2 mg/kg), vinblastine (0.5 and 3 mg/kg), and vincristine (0.1 and 1 mg/kg) 6 and 24 h after dosing. Mitotic arrest was identified at 24 h in all high-dose groups based on an increase in the number of mitotic figures in the interstitium coupled with a decrease in the number of Ki67-positive interstitial cells. Analysis of the myocardial transcriptomic data further supported G2/M cell cycle arrest 6 h after dosing with the high-dose groups of all three compounds. Apoptotic figures and an increase in the number of cleaved caspase 3-positive cells were identified at 6 and 24 h at the highest dose of each compound predominantly in interstitial cells, whereas a few cardiomyocytes were affected as well. Transcriptomic profiling of the myocardium further suggested that some of the affected interstitial cells were endothelial cells based on the upregulation of genes typically associated with vascular damage and downregulation of endothelial cell-specific molecule 1 and apelin. Taken together, these data identify endothelial cells of the myocardium as the primary target of the cardiotoxicity of TBs and identify cell cycle arrest as the mechanism of this toxicity.