Human CD133+ Progenitor Cells Promote the Healing of Diabetic Ischemic Ulcers by Paracrine Stimulation of Angiogenesis and Activation of Wnt Signaling

LS Barcelos, C Duplaa, N Kränkel, G Graiani… - Circulation …, 2009 - Am Heart Assoc
LS Barcelos, C Duplaa, N Kränkel, G Graiani, G Invernici, R Katare, M Siragusa, M Meloni
Circulation research, 2009Am Heart Assoc
We evaluated the healing potential of human fetal aorta-derived CD133+ progenitor cells
and their conditioned medium (CD133+ CCM) in a new model of ischemic diabetic ulcer.
Streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice underwent bilateral limb ischemia and wounding. One
wound was covered with collagen containing 2× 104 CD133+ or CD133− cells or vehicle.
The contralateral wound, covered with only collagen, served as control. Fetal CD133+ cells
expressed high levels of wingless (Wnt) genes, which were downregulated following …
We evaluated the healing potential of human fetal aorta-derived CD133+ progenitor cells and their conditioned medium (CD133+ CCM) in a new model of ischemic diabetic ulcer. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice underwent bilateral limb ischemia and wounding. One wound was covered with collagen containing 2×104 CD133+ or CD133 cells or vehicle. The contralateral wound, covered with only collagen, served as control. Fetal CD133+ cells expressed high levels of wingless (Wnt) genes, which were downregulated following differentiation into CD133 cells along with upregulation of Wnt antagonists secreted frizzled-related protein (sFRP)-1, -3, and -4. CD133+ cells accelerated wound closure as compared with CD133 or vehicle and promoted angiogenesis through stimulation of endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and survival by paracrine effects. CD133+ cells secreted high levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A and interleukin (IL)-8. Consistently, CD133+ CCM accelerated wound closure and reparative angiogenesis, with this action abrogated by coadministering the Wnt antagonist sFRP-1 or neutralizing antibodies against VEGF-A or IL-8. In vitro, these effects were recapitulated following exposure of high-glucose-primed human umbilical vein endothelial cells to CD133+ CCM, resulting in stimulation of migration, angiogenesis-like network formation and induction of Wnt expression. The promigratory and proangiogenic effect of CD133+ CCM was blunted by sFRP-1, as well as antibodies against VEGF-A or IL-8. CD133+ cells stimulate wound healing by paracrine mechanisms that activate Wnt signaling pathway in recipients. These preclinical findings open new perspectives for the cure of diabetic ulcers.
Am Heart Assoc