[Transfusion of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells promotes progression of atherosclerotic plaque in rabbits].
The present study was purposed to evaluate the safety of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based therapy impacting on atherosclerosis. Allogeneic MSCs were obtained from rabbit bone marrow aspirates and expanded in vitro. New Zealand white rabbits were divided into three groups: 24 rabbits with hypercholesterolemia receiving intravenous injection of either 5 x 10(7) MSCs (n = 12) or saline (n = 12) after 5 weeks on a high lipid diet and additional rabbits (n = 6) fed with standard rabbit diet were served as controls. Body weight and blood lipids were measured at weeks 0, 5, 9 and 13 during the study. All rabbits were sacrificed at week 13. Atherosclerotic lesion size and vasa vasorum were evaluated by using pathological analysis and immunocytochemical technique. The results showed that the aortic sinus lesion size significantly increased in rabbits infused with MSCs as compared with controls receiving saline (23.35 +/- 3.51% and 11.39 +/- 3.08% respectively). The lesion size in whole aortas of MSC-treated rabbits was 76.64 +/- 12.70% versus 57.61 +/- 9.00% in saline-treated animals (p < 0.05). Moreover, vasa vasorum networks in MSC-treated aortas were more numerous and had increased capillary density. It is concluded that the allogeneic MSC transfusion may result in an increase in atherosclerotic lesion size. In cell therapy with MSCs or cell populations containing MSCs a strategy to attenuate the high potential of MSCs involved in atherogenesis of atherosclerosis should be taken in account.
Liu
Peng-Xia
PX
National Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Disease Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, China.
Zhang
Lei
L
Liao
Wen-Bin
WB
DU
Wei-Ting
WT
Gu
Dong-Sheng
DS
Liu
Meng
M
Lu
Shi-Hong
SH
Han
Zhong-Chao
ZC
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008297:Male; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000209:etiology*; D011817:Rabbits