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Updated: May 27, 2026
07:49
Molecular Analysis of Endothelial-mesenchymal Transition Induced by Transforming Growth Factor-β Signaling
Published on: August 3, 2018
TNF-α increases bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell migration to ischemic tissues
Qiong Xiao1, Shi-kun Wang, Hua Tian
1Institute of Anatomy & Histology and Embryology, Medical School of Shandong University, Jinan 250012, Shandong, China.
Cell Biochemistry and Biophysics
|November 15, 2011
Summary
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) enhances mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) VCAM-1 expression and promotes their adhesion to endothelial cells. This suggests TNF-α can improve MSC migration to damaged tissues for potential ischemic injury repair.
Area of Science:
- Stem cell biology
- Immunology
- Regenerative medicine
Background:
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show promise for tissue repair.
- Understanding how to enhance MSC homing to injury sites is crucial for therapeutic efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) on rat MSCs.
- To assess TNF-α's influence on MSC adhesion and migration for ischemic injury repair.
Main Methods:
- MSCs were exposed to varying TNF-α concentrations, measuring adhesion molecules and surface markers.
- MSC adhesion to endothelial cells was assessed in vitro.
- MSC migration to ischemic hind limb injury in rats was quantified after TNF-α pretreatment.
Main Results:
- TNF-α increased VCAM-1 expression in MSCs in a dose-dependent manner.
- MSC pretreatment with 10 ng/ml TNF-α significantly enhanced adhesion to endothelial cells.
- Pretreated MSCs showed greater accumulation in ischemic hind limb tissue.
Conclusions:
- TNF-α does not affect MSC-specific markers but upregulates VCAM-1.
- Optimized TNF-α concentrations can improve MSC adhesion and migration to damaged tissues.
- This highlights a potential strategy for enhancing MSC-based therapies for ischemic injuries.
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