Changes in Caspase-3, Bcl-2, Interleukine-6, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Gene Expressions after Human Umbilical Cord Blood Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Transfusion in Pulmonary Hypertension Rat Models

• Published in: Korean circulation journal pp. 79 - 92
• Main Authors: 김관창, 이재철, 이혜련, Min-Sun Cho, 최수진(메디포스트, 홍영미
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 대한심장학회 01.01.2016
• Subjects: 내과학
• ISSN: 1738-5520; 1738-5555
• DOI: 10.4070/kcj.2016.46.1.79

Background and Objective: Failure of vascular smooth muscle apoptosis and inflammatory response in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a current research focus. The goals of this study were to determine changes in select gene expressions in monocrotaline (MCT)- induced PAH rat models after human umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs) transfusion. Materials and Methods: The rats were separated into 3 groups i.e., control group (C group), M group (MCT 60 mg/kg), and U group (hUCB-MSCs transfusion) a week after MCT injection. Results: TUNEL assay showed that the U group had significantly lowered positive apoptotic cells in the lung tissues, as compared with the M group. mRNA of caspase-3, B cell leukemia/lymphoma (Bcl)-2, interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and vascularendothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the lung tissues were greatly reduced at week 4 in the U group. Immunohistochemical staining of the lung tissues also demonstrated a similar pattern, with the exception of IL-6. The protein expression of caspase-3, Bcl-2 VEGF, IL-6, TNF-α and brain natriuretic peptide in the heart tissues were significantly lower in the U group, as compared with the M group at week2. Furthermore, the protein expression of VEGF, IL-6 and BNP in the heart tissues were significantly lower in the U group at week 4. Collagen content in the heart tissues was significantly lower in the U group, as compared with M group at weeks 2 and 4, respectively. Conclusion: hUCB-MSCs could prevent inflammation, apoptosis and remodeling in MCT-induced PAH rat models KCI Citation Count: 12