Differentiation potential and functional properties of a CD34‑CD133+ subpopulation of endothelial progenitor cells

Hyperbaric air mobilizes stem cells in humans; a new perspective on the hormetic dose curve

Introduction

Hyperbaric air (HBA) was first used pharmaceutically in 1662 to treat lung disease. Extensive use in Europe and North America followed throughout the 19th century to treat pulmonary and neurological disorders. HBA reached its zenith in the early 20th century when cyanotic, moribund "Spanish flu pandemic" patients turned normal color and regained consciousness within minutes after HBA treatment. Since that time the 78% Nitrogen fraction in HBA has been completely displaced by 100% oxygen to create the modern pharmaceutical hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), a powerful treatment that is FDA approved for multiple indications. Current belief purports oxygen as the active element mobilizing stem progenitor cells (SPCs) in HBOT, but hyperbaric air, which increases tensions of both oxygen and nitrogen, has been untested until now. In this study we test HBA for SPC mobilization, cytokine and chemokine expression, and complete blood count.

Methods

Ten 34-35-year-old healthy volunteers were exposed to 1.27ATA (4 psig/965 mmHg) room air for 90 min, M-F, for 10 exposures over 2-weeks. Venous blood samples were taken: (1) prior to the first exposure (served as the control for each subject), (2) directly after the first exposure (to measure the acute effect), (3) immediately prior to the ninth exposure (to measure the chronic effect), and (4) 3 days after the completion of tenth/final exposure (to assess durability). SPCs were gated by blinded scientists using Flow Cytometry.

Results

SPCs (CD45dim/CD34+/CD133-) were mobilized by nearly two-fold following 9 exposures (p = 0.02) increasing to three-fold 72-h post completion of the final (10th) exposure (p = 0.008) confirming durability.

Discussion

This research demonstrates that SPCs are mobilized, and cytokines are modulated by hyperbaric air. HBA likely is a therapeutic treatment. Previously published research using HBA placebos should be re-evaluated to reflect a dose treatment finding rather than finding a placebo effect. Our findings of SPC mobilization by HBA support further investigation into hyperbaric air as a pharmaceutical/therapy.

The peripheral blood mononuclear cells versus purified CD34+ cells transplantation in patients with angiitis-induced critical limb ischemia trial: 5-year outcomes and return to work analysis-a randomized single-blinded non-inferiority trial

Backgrounds

Patients with AICLI constitute a considerable proportion of NO-CLI patients and cannot be treated with surgical or endovascular treatment. Although cell therapy has shown satisfactory results in treating AICLI, research comparing the efficacy of treatment with the 2 kinds of cell products is rare. The aim of this study was to report the 5-year outcomes of a randomized single-blinded noninferiority trial (Number: NCT 02089828) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) and purified CD34⁺ cells (PCCs) transplantation for treating angiitis-induced critical limb ischemia (AICLI).

Methods

A randomized single-blinded non-inferiority trial (Number: NCT 02089828) was performed. Fifty patients were randomized 1:1 to the PBMNCs and PCCs groups. Efficacy outcomes, safety outcomes and patients’ work conditions were analyzed. The primary efficacy outcomes included major amputation and total amputation over 60 months.

Results

During the 60-month follow-up, 1 patient was lost to follow-up, 1 died, and 2 underwent major amputation. The major amputation-free survival rate (MAFS) was 92.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 82.0%-100.0%) in the PBMNCs group and 91.7% (95% CI 81.3%-100.0%) in the PCCs group (P = 0.980). Compared with the PCCs group, the PBMNCs group had a significantly higher 5-year new lesion-free survival rate (100.0% vs. 83.3% [95% CI 69.7–99.7%], P = 0.039). All patients lost their ability to work before transplantation, and the 5-year cumulative return to work (RTW) rates were 88.0% in the PBMNCs group and 76.0% in the PCCs group (P = 0.085).

Conclusion

The long-term follow-up outcomes of this trial not only demonstrated similar efficacy and safety for the 2 types of autoimplants but also showed a satisfactory cumulative RTW rate in AICLI patients who underwent cell transplantation.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT 02089828. Registered 14 March 2014, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT02089828.

Regulation of endothelial progenitor cell functions during hyperglycemia: new therapeutic targets in diabetic wound healing

Diabetes is primarily characterized by hyperglycemia, and its high incidence is often very costly to patients, their families, and national economies. Unsurprisingly, the number and function of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) decrease in patients resulting in diabetic wound non-healing. As precursors of endothelial cells (ECs), these cells were discovered in 1997 and found to play an essential role in wound healing. Their function, number, and role in wound healing has been widely investigated. Hitherto, a lot of complex molecular mechanisms have been discovered. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms of how hyperglycemia affects the function and number of EPCs and how the affected cells impact wound healing. We aim to provide a complete summary of the relationship between diabetic hyperglycosemia, EPCs, and wound healing, as well as a better comprehensive platform for subsequent related research.

Identification and characterization of a subpopulation of CD133+ cancer stem-like cells derived from SK-UT-1 cells

BACKGROUND

Uterine leiomyosarcoma (ULMS) is a malignant tumor found in the smooth muscle lining the walls of the uterus. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for metastasis, drug resistance, and relapse of cancer, resulting in treatment failure. However, little is known about CSCs and their associated-markers in ULMS. We aimed to characterize and identify a subpopulation of CD133⁺ cancer stem-like cells derived from SK-UT-1 cell line.

METHODS

SK-UT-1 cells were sphere-forming cultured in vitro. We also sorted the CD133⁺ cells derived from SK-UT-1 cell line by immunomagnetic beads. CD133⁺ subpopulation and apoptotic cells were detected by flow cytometry. Self-renewal and anchorage-independent growth capabilities were examined using sphere and colony formation assays. The tumorigenicity of the fourth-passage spheres and parental SK-UT-1 cells was used by mouse xenograft model in vivo. Cell proliferation ability and sensitivity to doxorubicin (DXR) were assessed by CCK-8 assay. Cell migration and invasion were tested by wound healing assay or Transwell migration and invasion assays. Expressions of CSC-related marker were analyzed by Western blotting.

RESULTS

The fourth-passage spheres were defined as a CD133⁺ cell population, which was accompanied by increase of sphere and colony forming rate, migration and invasion abilities, as well as drug-resistant properties in vitro. Moreover, the fourth-passage spheres showed a stronger tumorigenic potential in vivo. CD133⁺ cell population sorted from SK-UT-1 line showed an increased ability in sphere and colony formation, proliferation, migration, invasion, resistance to apoptosis after treatment with doxorubicin (DXR) compared with CD133^- cell population. The expression levels of CSCs-related markers (e.g., CD44, ALDH1,BMI1, and Nanog), were significantly elevated in CD133⁺ cells compared with those in CD133^- cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, our findings indicated that CD133 may be a significant marker for cancer stem-like cells, and it may be a potential therapeutic target for human ULMS.