Enhanced migration and CXCR4 over-expression in fibroblasts with telomerase reconstitution

Telomerase reconstitution shows great potential for cell treatment and tissue engineering. Although the effects of telomerase on cell lifespan are well documented, the effects of telomerase on cellular biological characteristics, such as cellular migration, are relatively unknown. In this study, we tried to investigate if telomerase is involved in the regulation of fibroblast migration and the mechanism behind it. We found that when stimulated with a chemokine, CXCL12, the rate of migration was significantly higher in fibroblasts with telomerase reconstitution than that in fibroblasts without. Furthermore, the CXCL12 receptor, CXCR4, and multiple down-stream factors (Rho family members), were upregulated in the telomerase reconstituted fibroblasts. We concluded for the first time that telomerase reconstitution increased fibroblast migration through activation of CXCL12/CXCR4 axis and Rho family. The finding that fibroblasts with telomerase reconstitution have enhanced migration may have broad implications for cell therapy.