Objective: To test the therapeutic activity of perivascular transplantation of encapsulated human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in an immunocompetent mouse model of limb ischemia.
Approach and results: CD1 mice underwent unilateral limb ischemia, followed by randomized treatment with vehicle, alginate microbeads (MBs), MB-encapsulated MSCs (MB-MSCs), or MB-MSCs engineered with glucagon-like peptide-1. Treatments were applied directly in the perivascular space around the femoral artery. Laser Doppler and fluorescent microsphere assessment of blood flow showed a marked improvement of perfusion in the MB-MSCs and MB-MSCs engineered with glucagon-like peptide-1 groups, which was associated with increased foot salvage particularly in MB-MSCs engineered with glucagon-like peptide-1-treated mice. Histological analysis revealed increased capillary and arteriole density in limb muscles of the 2 MSC groups. Furthermore, MB-MSCs engineered with glucagon-like peptide-1 and, to a lesser extent, MB-MSC treatment increased functional arterial collaterals alongside the femoral artery occlusion. Analysis of expressional changes in ischemic muscles showed that MB-MSC transplantation activates a proangiogenic signaling pathway centered on vascular endothelial growth factor A. In contrast, intramuscular MB-MSCs caused inflammatory reaction, but no improvement of reparative vascularization. Importantly, nonencapsulated MSCs were ineffective either by intramuscular or perivascular route.
Conclusions: Perivascular delivery of encapsulated MSCs helps postischemic reperfusion. This novel biological bypass method might be useful in patients not amenable to conventional revascularization approaches.
Keywords: collateral circulation; peripheral artery disease; stem cells.