scholarly journals Microvascular tissue as a platform technology to modify the local microenvironment and influence the healing cascade

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 1313-1328
Author(s):  
Marek Dobke ◽  
Dale R Peterson ◽  
Ralph-Heiko Mattern ◽  
Douglas M Arm

Aims: Profiling of microvascular tissue allows identification of components that stimulate wound healing. Here we study those elements for biological effect and establish clinical proof-of-concept using a microvascular tissue graft (mVASC®) in chronic refractory wounds. Methods: mVASC was characterized for tissue fragments and protein composition, evaluated for angiogenic potential in preclinical models, and applied clinically to a series of nonhealing wounds with compromised vascularity of different etiologies. Results: mVASC increased endothelial cell migration in vitro and angiogenesis in mouse ingrowth and hindlimb ischemia models. Clinically, mVASC stimulated wound neovascularization, granulation and epithelialization, and complete and durable healing. Conclusion: Microvascular tissue contains elements relevant to tissue repair and can be clinically applied to enable or accelerate the closure of challenging wounds.

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rongtai Zuo ◽  
Lingchi Kong ◽  
Mengwei Wang ◽  
Wenbo Wang ◽  
Jia Xu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Damaged endothelial cells and downregulated osteogenic ability are two key pathogenic mechanisms of glucocorticoid (GC)-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Recent studies suggested that transplantation of CD34+ stem cell-derived exosomes (CD34+-Exos) can treat ischemic diseases by promoting neovascularization and that miR-26a is an important positive regulator of osteogenesis. Moreover, the biological effect of exosomes is closely related to their cargo miRNAs. However, it is not clear whether increasing the abundance of miR-26a in CD34+-Exos will inhibit the progress of GC-induced ONFH. Methods MiR-26a was overexpressed in CD34+-Exos (miR-26a-CD34+-Exos) to increase their osteogenic potential. The angiogenic potential of miR-26a-CD34+-Exos was then examined through evaluations of migration and tube-forming capacities in vitro. In addition, in order to observe the osteogenic effect of miR-26a-CD34+-Exos on bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), Alizarin red staining, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assays, and qPCR were carried out. Finally, miR-26a-CD34+-Exos were injected into a GC-induced ONFH rat model to prevent the progress of GC-induced ONFH. The biological effects of miR-26a-CD34+-Exos on the ONFH model were evaluated by micro-CT, angiography, and histological staining. Results Our data showed that miR-26a-CD34+-Exos enhanced human umbilical vein endothelial cell migration and tube-forming capacities. Furthermore, miR-26a-CD34+-Exos strengthened the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs under the influence of GCs in vitro. Finally, the miR-26a-CD34+-Exos increased the vessel density and trabecular bone integrity of the femoral head in the GC-induced ONFH rat model, which inhibited the progress of ONFH. Conclusions MiR-26a-CD34+-Exos protect the femoral head from damage caused by GCs by strengthening angiogenesis and osteogenesis. The biological effect of miR-26a-CD34+-Exos make them suitable for application in the prevention of GC-induced ONFH.


Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 2181
Author(s):  
Maria Cristina Mihai ◽  
Mirel Adrian Popa ◽  
Viorel Iulian Șuică ◽  
Felicia Antohe ◽  
Edwin K. Jackson ◽  
...  

Therapeutic use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for tissue repair has great potential. MSCs from multiple sources, including those derived from human umbilical matrix, namely Wharton’s jelly, may serve as a resource for obtaining MSCs. However, low in vivo engraftment efficacy of MSCs remains a challenging limitation. To improve clinical outcomes using MSCs, an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms and factors involved in successful engraftment is required. We recently demonstrated that 17β-estradiol (E2) improves MSCs in vitro proliferation, directed migration and engraftment in murine heart slices. Here, using a proteomics approach, we investigated the angiogenic potential of MSCs in vivo and the modulatory actions of E2 on mechanisms involved in tissue repair. Specifically, using a Matrigel® plug assay, we evaluated the effects of E2 on MSCs-induced angiogenesis in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. Moreover, using proteomics we investigated the potential pro-repair processes, pathways, and co-mechanisms possibly modified by the treatment of MSCs with E2. Using RT-qPCR, we evaluated mRNA expression of pro-angiogenic molecules, including endoglin, Tie-2, ANG, and VEGF. Hemoglobin levels, a marker for blood vessel formation, were increased in plugs treated with E2 + MSCs, suggesting increased capillary formation. This conclusion was confirmed by the histological analysis of capillary numbers in the Matrigel® plugs treated with E2 + MSC. The LC-MS screening of proteins obtained from the excised Matrigel® plugs revealed 71 proteins that were significantly altered following E2 exposure, 57 up-regulated proteins and 14 down-regulated proteins. A major result was the association of over 100 microRNA molecules (miRNAs) involved in cellular communication, vesicle transport, and metabolic and energy processes, and the high percentage of approximately 25% of genes involved in unknown biological processes. Together, these data provide evidence for increased angiogenesis by MSCs treated with the sex hormone E2. In conclusion, E2 treatment may increase the engraftment and repair potential of MSCs into tissue, and may promote MSC-induced angiogenesis after tissue injury.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (14) ◽  
pp. 7400
Author(s):  
Christoph Koepple ◽  
Zizi Zhou ◽  
Lena Huber ◽  
Matthias Schulte ◽  
Kjestine Schmidt ◽  
...  

Connexins (Cx) form gap junctions (GJ) and allow for intercellular communication. However, these proteins also modulate gene expression, growth, and cell migration. The downregulation of Cx43 impairs endothelial cell migration and angiogenetic potential. Conversely, endothelial Cx43 expression is upregulated in an in vivo angiogenesis model relying on hemodynamic forces. We studied the effects of Cx43 expression on tube formation and proliferation in HUVECs and examined its dependency on GJ communication. Expectedly, intercellular communication assessed by dye transfer was linked to Cx43 expression levels in HUVECs and was sensitive to a GJ blockade by the Cx43 mimetic peptide Gap27. The proliferation of HUVECs was not affected by Cx43 overexpression using Cx43 cDNA transfection, siRNA-mediated knockdown of Cx43, or the inhibition of GJ compared to the controls (transfection of an empty vector, scrambled siRNA, and the solvent). In contrast, endothelial tube and sprout formation in HUVECs was minimized after Cx43 knockdown and significantly enhanced after Cx43 overexpression. This was not affected by a GJ blockade (Gap27). We conclude that Cx43 expression positively modulates the angiogenic potential of endothelial cells independent of GJ communication. Since proliferation remained unaffected, we suggest that Cx43 protein may modulate endothelial cell migration, thereby supporting angiogenesis. The modulation of Cx43 expression may represent an exploitable principle for angiogenesis induction in clinical therapy.


Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Satoshi Araki ◽  
Yasuhiro Izumiya ◽  
Yuichi Kimura ◽  
Shinsuke Hanatani ◽  
Yoshiro Onoue ◽  
...  

Background: Sirt7, one of the seven members of the mammalian sirtuin family, promotes oncogenic transformation. Tumor growth and metastasis require fibrotic and angiogenic responses. Here, we investigated the role of Sirt7 in cardiovascular tissue repair process. Methods and Results: In wild type (WT) mice, Sirt7 expression increased in response to acute cardiovascular injury, including myocardial infarction (MI) and hindlimb ischemia, particularly at the active wound healing site. Homozygous Sirt7 deficient (Sirt7-/-) mice showed susceptibility to cardiac rupture after MI, delayed blood flow recovery following hindlimb ischemia and impaired wound healing after skin injury, compared to WT mice. Histological analysis showed reduced fibrosis, fibroblast differentiation and inflammatory cell infiltration in the border zone of infarction in Sirt7-/- mice. In vitro, Sirt7-/- mice-derived or Sirt7 siRNA-treated cardiac fibroblasts showed reduced TGF-β signal activation and low expression levels of fibrosis-related genes compared with WT mice-derived or control siRNA-treated cells. These changes were accompanied by reduction in TGF-β receptor I (TβRI) protein. Loss of Sirt7 activated autophagy in cardiac fibroblasts. TβRI downregulation induced by loss of Sirt7 was blocked by autophagy inhibitor, and interaction of Sirt7 with protein interacting with protein kinase C, alpha (PICK1) was involved in this process. Conclusions: Sirt7 maintains TβRI by modulating autophagy and contributes to tissue repair processes.


Author(s):  
Hoda Keshmiri Neghab ◽  
Mohammad Hasan Soheilifar ◽  
Gholamreza Esmaeeli Djavid

Abstract. Wound healing consists of a series of highly orderly overlapping processes characterized by hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Prolongation or interruption in each phase can lead to delayed wound healing or a non-healing chronic wound. Vitamin A is a crucial nutrient that is most beneficial for the health of the skin. The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of vitamin A on regeneration, angiogenesis, and inflammation characteristics in an in vitro model system during wound healing. For this purpose, mouse skin normal fibroblast (L929), human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC), and monocyte/macrophage-like cell line (RAW 264.7) were considered to evaluate proliferation, angiogenesis, and anti-inflammatory responses, respectively. Vitamin A (0.1–5 μM) increased cellular proliferation of L929 and HUVEC (p < 0.05). Similarly, it stimulated angiogenesis by promoting endothelial cell migration up to approximately 4 fold and interestingly tube formation up to 8.5 fold (p < 0.01). Furthermore, vitamin A treatment was shown to decrease the level of nitric oxide production in a dose-dependent effect (p < 0.05), exhibiting the anti-inflammatory property of vitamin A in accelerating wound healing. These results may reveal the therapeutic potential of vitamin A in diabetic wound healing by stimulating regeneration, angiogenesis, and anti-inflammation responses.


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (10) ◽  
pp. 979-988
Author(s):  
Kyu-Yeon Han ◽  
Jin-Hong Chang ◽  
Dimitri T. Azar

Background: Exosomes secreted by corneal fibroblasts contain matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 14, which is known to influence pro-MMP2 accumulation on exosomes. Accordingly, we hypothesized that the enzymatic activity of MMP14 may alter the protein content of corneal fibroblast- secreted exosomes. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of MMP14 on the composition and biological activity of corneal fibroblast-derived exosomes. Methods: Knock out of the catalytic domain (ΔExon4) of MMP14 in corneal fibroblasts was used to determine the effect of MMP14 expression on the characteristics of fibroblast-secreted exosomes. The amount of secreted proteins and their size distribution were measured using Nano Tracking Analysis. Proteins within exosomes from wild-type (WT) and ΔExon4-deficient fibroblasts were identified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) proteomics analysis. The proteolytic effects of MMP14 were evaluated in vitro via MS identification of eliminated proteins. The biological functions of MMP14-carrying exosomes were investigated via fusion to endothelial cells and flow cytometric assays. Results: Exosomes isolated from WT and ΔExon4-deficient fibroblasts exhibited similar size distributions and morphologies, although WT fibroblasts secreted a greater amount of exosomes. The protein content, however, was higher in ΔExon4-deficient fibroblast-derived exosomes than in WT fibroblast-derived exosomes. Proteomics analysis revealed that WT-derived exosomes included proteins that regulated cell migration, and ΔExon4 fibroblast-derived exosomes contained additional proteins that were cleaved by MMP14. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that MMP14 expression influences the protein composition of exosomes secreted by corneal fibroblasts, and through those biological components, MMP14 in corneal fibroblasts derived-exosomes may regulate corneal angiogenesis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (15) ◽  
pp. 7920
Author(s):  
Myroslava Mytsyk ◽  
Giulia Cerino ◽  
Gregory Reid ◽  
Laia Gili Sole ◽  
Friedrich S. Eckstein ◽  
...  

The therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSC) for treating cardiac ischemia strongly depends on their paracrine-mediated effects and their engraftment capacity in a hostile environment such as the infarcted myocardium. Adipose tissue-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells are a mixed population composed mainly of MSC and vascular cells, well known for their high angiogenic potential. A previous study showed that the angiogenic potential of SVF cells was further increased following their in vitro organization in an engineered tissue (patch) after perfusion-based bioreactor culture. This study aimed to investigate the possible changes in the cellular SVF composition, in vivo angiogenic potential, as well as engraftment capability upon in vitro culture in harsh hypoxia conditions. This mimics the possible delayed vascularization of the patch upon implantation in a low perfused myocardium. To this purpose, human SVF cells were seeded on a collagen sponge, cultured for 5 days in a perfusion-based bioreactor under normoxia or hypoxia (21% and <1% of oxygen tension, respectively) and subcutaneously implanted in nude rats for 3 and 28 days. Compared to ambient condition culture, hypoxic tension did not alter the SVF composition in vitro, showing similar numbers of MSC as well as endothelial and mural cells. Nevertheless, in vitro hypoxic culture significantly increased the release of vascular endothelial growth factor (p < 0.001) and the number of proliferating cells (p < 0.00001). Moreover, compared to ambient oxygen culture, exposure to hypoxia significantly enhanced the vessel length density in the engineered tissues following 28 days of implantation. The number of human cells and human proliferating cells in hypoxia-cultured constructs was also significantly increased after 3 and 28 days in vivo, compared to normoxia. These findings show that a possible in vivo delay in oxygen supply might not impair the vascularization potential of SVF- patches, which qualifies them for evaluation in a myocardial ischemia model.


Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Iwein Gyselinck ◽  
◽  
Laurens Liesenborghs ◽  
Ewout Landeloos ◽  
Ann Belmans ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The rapid emergence and the high disease burden of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 have created a medical need for readily available drugs that can decrease viral replication or blunt the hyperinflammatory state leading to severe COVID-19 disease. Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic, known for its immunomodulatory properties. It has shown antiviral effect specifically against SARS-CoV-2 in vitro and acts on cytokine signaling pathways that have been implicated in COVID-19. Methods DAWn-AZITHRO is a randomized, open-label, phase 2 proof-of-concept, multicenter clinical trial, evaluating the safety and efficacy of azithromycin for treating hospitalized patients with COVID-19. It is part of a series of trials testing promising interventions for COVID-19, running in parallel and grouped under the name DAWn-studies. Patients hospitalized on dedicated COVID wards are eligible for study inclusion when they are symptomatic (i.e., clinical or radiological signs) and have been diagnosed with COVID-19 within the last 72 h through PCR (nasopharyngeal swab or bronchoalveolar lavage) or chest CT scan showing typical features of COVID-19 and without alternate diagnosis. Patients are block-randomized (9 patients) with a 2:1 allocation to receive azithromycin plus standard of care versus standard of care alone. Standard of care is mostly supportive, but may comprise hydroxychloroquine, up to the treating physician’s discretion and depending on local policy and national health regulations. The treatment group receives azithromycin qd 500 mg during the first 5 consecutive days after inclusion. The trial will include 284 patients and recruits from 15 centers across Belgium. The primary outcome is time from admission (day 0) to life discharge or to sustained clinical improvement, defined as an improvement of two points on the WHO 7-category ordinal scale sustained for at least 3 days. Discussion The trial investigates the urgent and still unmet global need for drugs that may impact the disease course of COVID-19. It will either provide support or else justify the discouragement of the current widespread, uncontrolled use of azithromycin in patients with COVID-19. The analogous design of other parallel trials of the DAWN consortium will amplify the chance of identifying successful treatment strategies and allow comparison of treatment effects within an identical clinical context. Trial registration EU Clinical trials register EudraCT Nb 2020-001614-38. Registered on 22 April 2020


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