Factors Released from Embryonic Stem Cells Stimulate c-kit-FLK-1(+ve) Progenitor Cells and Enhance Neovascularization

• Published in: Antioxidants & redox signaling Vol. 13; no. 12; p. 1857
• Main Authors: Fatma, Sumbul, Selby, Donald E, Singla, Reetu D, Singla, Dinender K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 15.12.2010
• Subjects: Animals; Apoptosis - drug effects; Caspase 3 - metabolism; Culture Media, Conditioned - metabolism; Culture Media, Conditioned - pharmacology; Echocardiography; Embryonic Stem Cells - metabolism; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; In Situ Nick-End Labeling; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I - metabolism; Male; Mice; Myocardial Infarction - metabolism; Neovascularization, Physiologic - drug effects; Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 - metabolism; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit - metabolism; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A - metabolism; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 - metabolism
• ISSN: 1557-7716
• DOI: 10.1089/ars.2010.3104

We examined whether factors released from embryonic stem (ES) cells inhibit cardiac and vascular cell apoptosis and stimulate endogenous progenitor cells that enhance neovascularization with improved cardiac function. We generated and transplanted ES-conditioned medium (CM) in the infarcted heart to examine effects on cardiac and vascular apoptosis, activation of endogenous c-kit and FLK-1(+ve) cells, and their role in cardiac neovascularization. TUNEL, caspase-3 activity, immunohistochemistry, H&E, and Masson's trichrome stains were used to determine the effect of transplanted ES-CM on cardiac apoptosis and neovascularization. TUNEL staining and caspase-3 activity confirm significantly (p < 0.05) reduced apoptosis in MI+ES-CM compared with MI+ cell culture medium. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated increased (p < 0.05, 53%) c-kit(+ve) and FLK-1(+ve) positive cells, as well as increased (p < 0.05, 67%) differentiated CD31-positive cells in ES-CM groups compared with respective controls. Furthermore, significantly (p < 0.05) increased coronary artery vessels were observed in ES-CM transplanted hearts compared with control. Heart function was significantly improved following ES-CM transplantation. Next, we observed significantly increased (p < 0.05) levels of c-kit activation proteins (HGF and IGF-1), anti-apoptosis factors (IGF-1 and total antioxidants), and neovascularization protein (VEGF). In conclusion, we suggest that ES-CM following transplantation in the infarcted heart inhibits apoptosis, activates cardiac endogenous c-kit and FLK-1(+ve) cells, and differentiates them into endothelial cells (ECs) that enhances neovascularization with improved cardiac function.