title: Induction of therapeutic neoangiogenesis using in vitro-generated endothelial colony-forming cells: an autologous transplantation model in rat.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Accumulating evidence shows the potential of bone marrow-derived endothelial colony-forming cells (bmECFCs) as promising tools for vascular repair. However, knowledge about their in vitro expansion, characterization, and functional behavior is still controversial. We demonstrate the in vitro generation of rat bmECFCs and analyze their ability to promote tissue reperfusion in a chronic hind-limb ischemia model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Either in vitro-generated and characterized autologous bmECFCs or placebo was injected into ischemic hind limbs of Sprague-Dawley rats. Tissue perfusion was quantified by laser Doppler, in perfusion units (PU), at days 0, 15, and 30.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Rat bmECFCs acquire a typical phenotype (CD34(+)VEGFR2(+)CD133(+)CXCR4(+)CD45(-)), culture, and functional behavior (Dil-ac-LDL+) in vitro. Injection of autologous bmECFCs improves tissue perfusion in ischemic hind limbs (183.5 ± 3.29 PU(bmECFCs/day 30)versus 131 ± 3.9 PU(controls/day 30), P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that rat bmECFCs promote ischemic tissue reperfusion and their proangiogenic properties are a potential mechanism for this effect.
authors: Stem Cells Bank, Atena Hospital, Timisoara, Romania. ljiga@umft.ro
authors: Janina
authors: J
authors: Jiga
authors: Bogdan
authors: B
authors: Hoinoiu
authors: Teodora
authors: T
authors: Stoichitoiu
authors: Vlad
authors: V
authors: Dornean
authors: Alexandru
authors: A
authors: Nistor
authors: Sorin
authors: S
authors: Barac
authors: Gratian
authors: G
authors: Miclaus
authors: Mihai
authors: M
authors: Ionac
authors: Virgil
authors: V
authors: Paunescu
authors: Sorin
authors: S
authors: Ursoniu
authors: Lucian P
authors: LP
authors: Jiga
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000637:transplantation*; D005121:Extremities / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D007511:Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler