Int J Stem Cells.  2015 Nov;8(2):200-208. 10.15283/ijsc.2015.8.2.200.

Possible Therapeutic Effect of Stem Cell in Atherosclerosis in Albino Rats. A Histological and Immunohistochemical Study

• Abdel-Kawi SH
• Hashem KS

• KMID: 2380814
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.15283/ijsc.2015.8.2.200

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of death worldwide. there are no effective approaches to regressing atherosclerosis due to not fully understood mechanisms. Recently, stem cell-based therapies have held promises to various diseases, including vascular diseases. AIM: The present study aimed at investigating the possible effect of cord blood mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy on atherosclerosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty adult male albino rats were divided into control group (I), atherogenic group (II): subjected to high cholesterol fed diet (200~300 mg/kg body weight) for 12 weeks and 1.8 million units of vitamin D / kg of diet for 6 weeks. Stem cell therapy group (III): injected with stem cells in the tail vein following confirmation of atherosclerosis. Histological, Immunohistochemical and morphometric studies were performed were conducted.
RESULTS
Atherogenic group (II) showed increased aortic thickness, intimal proliferation, smooth muscle proliferation and migration. Increased area % of collagen fibers, iNOS and vimentin immunoreactions were recorded and proved morphometrically. All findings regressed on stem cell therapy.
CONCLUSION
A definite therapeutic effect of mesenchymal stem cells was found on atherosclerosis.

Keyword

Mesenchymal stem cells; Atherosclerosis; Cord blood; eNOS; iNOS

MeSH Terms

Adult
Animals
Atherosclerosis*
Cause of Death
Cholesterol
Collagen
Diet
Fetal Blood
Humans
Male
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Muscle, Smooth
Rats*
Stem Cells*
Tail
Vascular Diseases
Veins
Vimentin
Vitamin D
Cholesterol
Collagen
Vimentin
Vitamin D

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 (A) Three layers forming wall of aorta: tunica intima (TI), tunica media (TM) formed of concentrically-arranged smooth muscle (black arrow) and tunica adventitia (TA) exhibiting vasa vasorum (white arrow) (group I, H&E, ×200). (B) Tunica intima exhibiting simple squamous endothelium (black arrow) with underlying lamina propria (white arrow) (group I, H&E, ×400). (C) Thickening of tunica intima (TI) with fat deposition (black arrow) and appearance of foam cells (white arrow). Tunica adventitia shows inflammatory reaction (arrow heads) (group II, H&E, ×200). (D) Thickening of tunica intima (TI) with fat deposition (black arrow) and appearance of foam cells (white arrow) (group II, H&E, ×400). (E) Increased thickness of the whole wall of aorta (double headed arrow) with protrusion of intima into lumen (black arrow) (group II, H&E, ×200). (F) Smooth muscle proliferation and migration into intima (black arrow) (group II, H&E, ×400). (G) Thickened wall of aorta with protrusion into lumen (black arrow) and thinning of adventitia (white arrow) (group II, H&E, ×200). (H) normal aorta except tunica media show some foam cells (black arrow) and congested vasa vasorum within tunica adventitia (white arrow) (group III, H&E, ×200).

• 

  Fig. 2 (A) Minimal collagen fibers (arrows) (group I). (B) Extensive collagen fibers (arrows) (group II). (C) Minimal collagen fibers (arrows) (group II) (Masson’ trichrome, ×200). (D) Minimal vimentin immunoreactivity (group i). (E) Increased vimentin immunoreactivity (group II). (F) Minimal vimentin immunoreactivity (group III) (immunostaining for vimentin ×200).

• 

  Fig. 3 (A) eNOS immunoreactivity in tunica intima (arrows) (group I). (B) Weak eNOS immunoreactivity in tunica intima (arrows) (group II). (C) eNOS immunoreactivity in tunica intima (group III) (immunostainig for eNOS, ×200). (D) Weak iNOS immunoreactivity (arrows) (group I). (E) increased iNOS immunoreactivity (arrows) (group II). (F) Weak iNOS immunoreactivity (arrows) (group III) (immunostainig for iNOS, ×200).

• 

  Fig. 4 A photomicrograph of section of aorta from group III showing positive immunofluorescent stem cells (arrows) within aorta.

Reference

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