Short Wave Enhances Mesenchymal Stem Cell Recruitment through Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 Signaling in Fracture Healing
Abstract Background As a type of high-frequency electrotherapy, a short wave can promote the fracture healing process; yet, its underlying therapeutic mechanisms still remain unclear. Purpose To observe the effect of short wave on mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) homing and its mechanisms associated with fracture healing. Materials and Methods For in vivo study, the effect of Short-Wave therapy in relation to fracture healing was examined in stabilized femur fractures model of 40 SD rats. Radiography was used to analyze the morphology and micro-architecture of the callus. Additionally, fluorescence assays were used to analyze the GFP-labeled MSC homing after treatment in 20 nude mice with a femoral fracture. For in vitro study, osteoblast from newborn rats simulated fracture site was first irradiated by the Short-Wave; siRNA targeting HIF-1 was used to investigate the role of HIF-1. Osteoblast culture medium was then collected as chemotaxis content of MSC, and the migration of MSC from rats was evaluated using wound healing assay and trans-well chamber test. The expression of HIF-1 and its related factors were quantified by q RT-PCR, ELISA, and Western blot. Results Our in vivo experiment indicated that Short-Wave therapy could promote MSC migration, increase local and serum HIF-1 and SDF-1 levels, induce changes in callus formation, and improve callus microarchitecture and mechanical properties, thus speeding up the healing process of the fracture site. Moreover, the in vitro results further indicated that Short-Waves therapy upregulated HIF-1 and SDF-1 expression in osteoblast and in the medium, as well as the expression of CXCR-4, β-catenin, F-actin and phosphorylation levels of FAK in MSC. On the other hand, the inhibition of HIF-1α was significantly restrained by the inhibition of HIF-1α in osteoblast, and it partially inhibited the migration of MSC. Conclusions These results suggested that short wave could increase HIF-1 in callus, which is one of the crucial mechanisms of chemotaxis MSC homing in fracture healing.