title: Changes in Caspase-3, B Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma-2, Interleukin-6, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Gene Expression after Human Umbilical Cord Blood Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Transfusion in Pulmonary Hypertension Rat Models.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Failure of vascular smooth muscle apoptosis and inflammatory response in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a current research focus. The goals of this study were to determine changes in select gene expressions in monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PAH rat models after human umbilical cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs) transfusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  The rats were separated into 3 groups i.e., control group (C group), M group (MCT 60 mg/kg), and U group (hUCB-MSCs transfusion) a week after MCT injection.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TUNEL assay showed that the U group had significantly lowered positive apoptotic cells in the lung tissues, as compared with the M group. mRNA of caspase-3, B cell leukemia/lymphoma (Bcl)-2, interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the lung tissues were greatly reduced at week 4 in the U group. Immunohistochemical staining of the lung tissues also demonstrated a similar pattern, with the exception of IL-6. The protein expression of caspase-3, Bcl-2 VEGF, IL-6, TNF-α and brain natriuretic peptide in the heart tissues were significantly lower in the U group, as compared with the M group at week 2. Furthermore, the protein expression of VEGF, IL-6 and BNP in the heart tissues were significantly lower in the U group at week 4. Collagen content in the heart tissues was significantly lower in the U group, as compared with M group at weeks 2 and 4, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  hUCB-MSCs could prevent inflammation, apoptosis and remodeling in MCT-induced PAH rat models.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kwan Chang
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Chul
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyeryon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Min-Sun
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Research Institute, MEDIPOST, Co., Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Soo Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Ewha Womans University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Mi
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Hong
keywords: Apoptosis; Hypertension, pulmonary; Inflammation; Stem cell; Vascular remodeling