[The migration of CXCR4(+); BMSCs and the ox-LDL-induced injury in endothelial cells]
Gang Yu1, Hongli Xia, Mincai Li
1School of Basic Medicine, Xianning Central Hospital, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning, China. yugang428@yahoo.com.cn
Insights
Endothelial cells secrete stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1), which promotes the migration of CXCR4-positive stem cells. This interaction is mediated by the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis, potentially playing a role in atherosclerosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Molecular Medicine
Background:
- Endothelial cells play a crucial role in vascular health and disease.
- Stem cell migration is a key process in tissue repair and pathological conditions like atherosclerosis.
- Stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) and its receptor CXCR4 are involved in cell trafficking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of SDF-1 secreted by endothelial cells on the migration of CXCR4-positive stem cells.
- To elucidate the role of the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis in stem cell behavior within the context of endothelial cell stimulation.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of CXCR4-positive bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) from mice.
- Stimulation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL).
- Assessment of cell proliferation (MTT assay), SDF-1 expression (RT-PCR, ELISA), and BMSC migration (Transwell assay).
Main Results:
- Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) stimulation increased SDF-1α mRNA and protein expression in HUVECs.
- Supernatant from stimulated HUVECs significantly promoted the migration of CXCR4-positive BMSCs.
- Neutralizing CXCR4 antibodies reduced the migratory activity of BMSCs, confirming the SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway's involvement.
Conclusions:
- CXCR4-positive BMSCs exhibit migratory responses towards endothelial cells via the SDF-1/CXCR4 axis.
- This interaction suggests a potential mechanism for stem cell recruitment in the process of atherosclerosis.
- The findings highlight the SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway as a target for understanding and potentially treating atherosclerosis.
Objective:
To study whether the stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) secreted by endothelial cells affects the CXCR4(+); stem cell migration.
Methods:
CXCR4(+); bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were isolated from mouse bone marrow. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were stimulated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), and the cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay, the expressions of SDF-1α mRNA and protein were detected by RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. The migration of CXCR4(+); BMSCs was analyzed by Transwell(R); chamber assay.
Results:
The stimulation of ox-LDL affected the proliferation and increased significantly the expression levels of SDF-1α mRNA and protein in HUVECs, and the medium supernatant promoted the migratory response of CXCR4(+); BMSCs. When the neutralizing CXCR4 antibody eliminated the secreted SDF-1α, the migratory activity markedly decreased.
Conclusion:
CXCR4(+); BMSCs might migrate to endothelial cells by SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis in the atherosclerosis process.
