title: Bone marrow cell-mediated cardiovascular repair: potential of combined therapies.
abstract: Recent evidence indicates that bone-marrow cells (BMCs) can contribute to the healing process of the injured cardiovascular system via the chemokine receptor CXCR4/SDF-1, thymosin beta(4) and integrin alpha(4)beta(1) molecular pathways. During tissue ischemia overwhelming numbers of detrimental oxygen radicals are generated, and therefore treatment with antioxidants and L-arginine, the precursor of nitric oxide (NO), could induce beneficial effects beyond those achieved by BMC transplantation alone. Recent studies have reported that BMCs have enhanced neovascularization capacity in cotreatment with alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and L-arginine. Moreover, BMC therapy can be combined with gene therapy. Clinical trials employing BMCs in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases have been completed with mixed or positive results, and several trials are ongoing. Here, we discuss the clinical potential of BMC transplantation alone and in combined therapy that aims to restore organ vascularization and function. We also consider the mechanisms of mobilization, differentiation and incorporation of BMCs.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Pathology, Division of Clinical Pathology and Excellence Research Center on Cardiovascular Diseases, 1st School of Medicine, II University of Naples, Italy. claunap@tin.it
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Napoli
authors.forename: Ciro
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maione
authors.forename: Concetta
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schiano
authors.forename: Carmela
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fiorito
authors.forename: Louis J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Ignarro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D012038:Regeneration; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D014945:Wound Healing