Systemically transplanted mesenchymal stem cells induce vascular-like structure formation in a rat model of vaginal injury

PLoS One. 2019 Jun 13;14(6):e0218081. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218081. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

The beneficial effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on wound healing is mostly attributed to a trophic effect that promotes angiogenesis. Whether MSCs can contribute to the formation of new blood vessels by direct differentiation is still controversial. Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is a group of disorders that negatively affect the quality of women's lives. Traditional vaginal surgical repair provides disappointing anatomical outcome. Stem cell transplantation may be used to supplement surgery and improve its outcome. Here we aimed to examine the engraftment, survival, differentiation and angiogenic effect of transplanted MSCs in a vaginal injury rat model. MSCs were obtained from the bone marrow of Sprague Drawley (SD) rats, expanded and characterized in vitro. The MSCs expressed CD90 and CD29, did not express CD45, CD34, CD11b and CD31 and could differentiate into osteogenic, chondrogenic and adipogenic lineages. Cells were labeled with either PKH-26 or GFP and transplanted systemically or locally to female SD rats, just after a standardized vaginal incision was made. Engraftment after local transplantation was less efficient at all-time points compared to systemic administration. In the systemically transplanted animal group, MSCs migrated to the injury site and were present in the healed vagina for at least 30 days. Both systemic and local MSCs transplantation promoted host angiogenesis. Systemically transplanted MSCs created new vascular-like structures by direct differentiation into endothelium. These findings pave the way to further studies of the potential role of MSCs transplantation in improving surgical outcome in women with PFD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Vessels / growth & development
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Endothelium, Vascular / cytology
  • Female
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology
  • Pelvic Floor Disorders / therapy
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Vagina / injuries*

Grants and funding

This study was funded by a generous donation from Judy and Sidney Swartz and from Dan and Morrine Marantz towards the development of stem cells for women’s health. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.