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Liu Z, Wu C, Zou X, Shen W, Yang J, Zhang X, Hu X, Wang H, Liao Y, Jing T. Exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells inhibit neointimal hyperplasia by activating the Erk1/2 signalling pathway in rats. Stem Cell Res Ther 2020; 11:220. [PMID: 32513275 PMCID: PMC7278178 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-020-01676-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Restenosis is a serious problem in patients who have undergone percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. Endothelial injury resulting from surgery can lead to endothelial dysfunction and neointimal formation by inducing aberrant proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells. Exosomes secreted by mesenchymal stem cells have been a hot topic in cardioprotective research. However, to date, exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-Exo) have rarely been reported in association with restenosis after artery injury. The aim of this study was to investigate whether MSC-Exo inhibit neointimal hyperplasia in a rat model of carotid artery balloon-induced injury and, if so, to explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods Characterization of MSC-Exo immunophenotypes was performed by electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis and western blot assays. To investigate whether MSC-Exo inhibited neointimal hyperplasia, rats were intravenously injected with normal saline or MSC-Exo after carotid artery balloon-induced injury. Haematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to examine the intimal and media areas. Evans blue dye staining was performed to examine re-endothelialization. Moreover, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were performed to examine the expression of CD31, vWF and α-SMA. To further investigate the involvement of MSC-Exo-induced re-endothelialization, the underlying mechanisms were studied by cell counting kit-8, cell scratch, immunofluorescence and western blot assays. Results Our data showed that MSC-Exo were ingested by endothelial cells and that systemic injection of MSC-Exo suppressed neointimal hyperplasia after artery injury. The Evans blue staining results showed that MSC-Exo could accelerate re-endothelialization compared to the saline group. The immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry results showed that MSC-Exo upregulated the expression of CD31 and vWF but downregulated the expression of α-SMA. Furthermore, MSC-Exo mechanistically facilitated proliferation and migration by activating the Erk1/2 signalling pathway. The western blot results showed that MSC-Exo upregulated the expression of PCNA, Cyclin D1, Vimentin, MMP2 and MMP9 compared to that in the control group. Interestingly, an Erk1/2 inhibitor reversed the expression of the above proteins. Conclusion Our data suggest that MSC-Exo can inhibit neointimal hyperplasia after carotid artery injury by accelerating re-endothelialization, which is accompanied by activation of the Erk1/2 signalling pathway. Importantly, our study provides a novel cell-free approach for the treatment of restenosis diseases after intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihui Liu
- Department of Cardiology, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China.,State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, The Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, The Institute of Sericulture and Systems Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.,Department of Thoracic Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Xinliang Zou
- Department of Cardiology, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China
| | - Weiming Shen
- Laboratory of Integrative Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiacai Yang
- The Institute of Burn Research, South-West Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaorong Zhang
- The Institute of Burn Research, South-West Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaohong Hu
- The Institute of Burn Research, South-West Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Haidong Wang
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Yi Liao
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
| | - Tao Jing
- Department of Cardiology, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, 400038, China.
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Lee SH, Ra JC, Oh HJ, Kim MJ, Setyawan EMN, Choi YB, Yang JW, Kang SK, Han SH, Kim GA, Lee BC. Clinical Assessment of Intravenous Endothelial Progenitor Cell Transplantation in Dogs. Cell Transplant 2019; 28:943-954. [PMID: 31018670 PMCID: PMC6719494 DOI: 10.1177/0963689718821686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have been applied for cell therapy because of their roles in angiogenesis and neovascularization in ischemic tissue. However, adverse responses caused by EPC therapy have not been fully investigated. In this study, a human peripheral blood sample was collected from a healthy donor and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were separated using Ficoll-Hypaque. There were four experimental groups: 10 ml saline infusion group (injection rate; 3 ml/min), 10 ml saline bolus group (injection rate; 60 ml/min), 10 ml EPCs infusion group (2 x 105 cells/ml, injection rate; 3 ml/min), 10 ml EPCs bolus group (2 × 105 cells/ml, injection rate; 60 ml/min). Clinical assessment included physical examination and laboratory examination for intravenous human EPC transplantation in dogs. The results revealed no remarkable findings in vital signs among the dogs used. In blood analysis, platelet counts in saline infusion groups were significantly higher than in the EPC groups within normal ranges, and no significant differences were observed except K+, Cl- and blood urea nitrogen/urea. In ELISA assay, no significant difference was observed in serum tumor necrosis factor alpha. The serum concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor was significantly higher in EPC groups than in saline groups, and interleukin 10 was significantly up-regulated in the EPC infusion group compared with other groups. In conclusion, we demonstrated that no clinical abnormalities were detected after intravenous transplantation of human EPCs in dogs. The transplanted xenogenic EPCs might be involved in anti-inflammatory and angiogenic functions in dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seok Hee Lee
- 1 Department of Theriogenology and Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeong Chan Ra
- 2 Biostar Stem Cell Research Institute, R Bio Co., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Ju Oh
- 1 Department of Theriogenology and Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea
| | - Min Jung Kim
- 1 Department of Theriogenology and Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea
| | - Erif Maha Nugraha Setyawan
- 1 Department of Theriogenology and Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoo Bin Choi
- 1 Department of Theriogenology and Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Won Yang
- 2 Biostar Stem Cell Research Institute, R Bio Co., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Keun Kang
- 2 Biostar Stem Cell Research Institute, R Bio Co., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Hyup Han
- 2 Biostar Stem Cell Research Institute, R Bio Co., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Geon A Kim
- 2 Biostar Stem Cell Research Institute, R Bio Co., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Byeong Chun Lee
- 1 Department of Theriogenology and Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea
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Exosomes of Endothelial Progenitor Cells Inhibit Neointima Formation After Carotid Artery Injury. J Surg Res 2018; 232:398-407. [PMID: 30463748 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2018.06.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2017] [Revised: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Exosomes released from endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a protective role in various disease models. Both endothelial cell (EC) damage and smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation are involved in the pathological process of restenosis after angioplasty and stenting. Few studies have focused on the therapeutic role of exosomes in EC damage and SMC proliferation. In this study, we sought to investigate the effect of exosomes released by human fetal aorta-derived EPCs on the rat carotid artery balloon injury model in vivo. We also sought to determine the effect of exosomes on both ECs and SMCs in vitro. METHODS Exosomes (Exo group) or saline (Con group) were injected in rat carotid balloon injury model animals. The rats were sacrificed after 2, 4, 14, and 28 d, and injured carotid specimens were collected for Evans blue staining, hematoxylin-eosin staining, and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS When the Con group and the Exo group were compared, the reendothelialized areas were not significantly different after 2 or 4 d, as shown by Evans blue staining. The hematoxylin-eosin results showed that the intimal to medial area ratio was slightly but not significantly higher in the Exo group after 2 and 4 d. The immunohistochemistry results showed that the proliferation of SMCs was slightly higher in the Exo group after 2 and 4 d, but the difference was not significant. The reendothelialization area of the Con group was significantly smaller than that of the Exo group at day 14. Both the intimal to medial area ratio and SMC proliferation in the Exo group were significantly smaller than those of the Con group at 14 or 28 d. In the in vitro study, exosome treatment significantly enhanced the proliferation and migration of both ECs and SMCs. CONCLUSIONS Exosomes derived from EPCs could inhibit neointimal hyperplasia after carotid artery injury in rats. The protective effect of exosomes may manifest through the promotion of EC repair rather than direct suppression of proliferation and migration of smooth muscles cells.
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Zhao WN, Xu SQ, Liang JF, Peng L, Liu HL, Wang Z, Fang Q, Wang M, Yin WQ, Zhang WJ, Lou JN. Endothelial progenitor cells from human fetal aorta cure diabetic foot in a rat model. Metabolism 2016; 65:1755-1767. [PMID: 27832863 DOI: 10.1016/j.metabol.2016.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2016] [Revised: 09/03/2016] [Accepted: 09/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Recent evidence has suggested that circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) can repair the arterial endothelium during vascular injury. However, a reliable source of human EPCs is needed for therapeutic applications. In this study, we isolated human fetal aorta (HFA)-derived EPCs and analyzed the capacity of EPCs to differentiate into endothelial cells. In addition, because microvascular dysfunction is considered to be the major cause of diabetic foot (DF), we investigated whether transplantation of HFA-derived EPCs could treat DF in a rat model. METHODS EPCs were isolated from clinically aborted fetal aorta. RT-PCR, fluorescence-activated cell sorting, immunofluorescence, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to examine the expressions of CD133, CD34, CD31, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 (VEGFR2), von Willebrand Factor (vWF), and Endothelial Leukocyte Adhesion Molecule-1 (ELAM-1). Morphology and Dil-uptake were used to assess function of the EPCs. We then established a DF model by injecting microcarriers into the hind-limb arteries of Goto-Kakizaki rats and then transplanting the cultured EPCs into the ischemic hind limbs. Thermal infrared imaging, oxygen saturation apparatus, and laser Doppler perfusion imaging were used to monitor the progression of the disease. Immunohistochemistry was performed to examine the microvascular tissue formed by HFA-derived EPCs. RESULTS We found that CD133, CD34, and VEGFR2 were expressed by HFA-derived EPCs. After VEGF induction, CD133 expression was significantly decreased, but expression levels of vWF and ELAM-1 were markedly increased. Furthermore, tube formation and Dil-uptake were improved after VEGF induction. These observations suggest that EPCs could differentiate into endothelial cells. In the DF model, temperature, blood flow, and oxygen saturation were reduced but recovered to a nearly normal level following injection of the EPCs in the hind limb. Ischemic symptoms also improved. Injected EPCs were preferentially and durably engrafted into the blood vessels. In addition, anti-human CD31+-AMA+-vWF+ microvasculars were detected after transplantation of EPCs. CONCLUSION Early fetal aorta-derived EPCs possess strong self-renewal ability and can differentiate into endothelial cells. We demonstrated for the first time that transplanting HFA-derived EPCs could ameliorate DF prognosis in a rat model. These findings suggest that the transplantation of HFA-derived EPCs could serve as an innovative therapeutic strategy for managing DF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Ni Zhao
- Peking University China-Japan Friendship School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Shi-Qing Xu
- Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Feng Liang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking University International Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Liang Peng
- Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hong-Lin Liu
- Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zai Wang
- Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Qing Fang
- Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Wang
- Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China; Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wei-Qin Yin
- Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China; Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wen-Jian Zhang
- Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Jin-Ning Lou
- Peking University China-Japan Friendship School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing, China; Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China.
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