Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells promote angiogenesis of ischemic lower limbs

Xiaoling LI; Lvyun ZHU; Guangyao SONG

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Under certain conditions, stem cel s can be induced to differentiate into vascular endothelial cel s, which can promote the angiogenesis of ischemic lower limbs and the establishment of effective circulation and improve distal blood supply of the ischemic limbs.

OBJECTIVE:

To review the biological characteristics and pro-angiogenesis mechanism of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cel s and to investigate the current status of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cel s in the repair of neuropathy and chronic wounds.

METHODS:

PubMed, VIP and Wanfang databases were searched for relevant articles published from 2000 to 2015 using the keywords of“stem cel s transplantation, umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cel , diabetic angiopathies”in English and Chinese, respectively. RESULTS AND

CONCLUSION:

Compared with peripheral blood stem cel s and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s, umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cel s are characterized as more widespread sources, easy col ection, stronger amplification ability, no immunogenicity, and no ethical controversy, which have become ideal target and seed cel s for pro-angiogenesis and gene therapy in ischemic diseases. Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cel s can differentiate into vascular endothelial cel s and fibroblasts involved in wound healing. In addition, these cel s can promote the production and expression of neurotrophic factors, promote nerve regeneration in ischemic tissues, and participate in tissue repair and accelerate healing of ulcers by paracrine and autocrine cytokines, anti-inflammation and immunomodulation. Therefore, umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cel s have a broad prospect in the improvement of diabetic lower limb ischemia, repair of diabetic peripheral neuropathy and promotion of chronic ulcer healing. Compared with stem cel transplantation alone, umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cel s transplantation combined with gene therapy can further enhance cel survival and pro-angiogenesis.