Abstract
Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hucMSCs) are particularly attractive cells for cellular and gene therapy in acute kidney injury (AKI). Adenovirus-mediated gene therapy has been limited by immune reaction and target genes selection. However, in the present study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of hepatocyte growth factor modified hucMSCs (HGF-hucMSCs) in ischemia/reperfusion-induced AKI rat models. In vivo animal models were generated by subjecting to 60 min of bilateral renal injury by clamping the renal pedicles and then introduced HGF-hucMSCs via the left carotid artery. Our results revealed that serum creatinine and urea nitrogen levels decreased to the baseline more quickly in HGF-hucMSCs-treated group than that in hucMSCs- or green fluorescent protein-hucMSCs-treated groups at 72 h after injury. The percent of proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive cells in HGF-hucMSCs-treated group was higher than that in the hucMSCs or green fluorescent protein-hucMSCs-treated groups. Moreover, injured renal tissues treated with HGF-hucMSCs also exhibited less hyperemia and renal tubule cast during the recovery process. Immunohistochemistry and living body imaging confirmed that HGF-hucMSCs localize to areas of renal injury. Real-time polymerase chain reaction result showed that HGF-hucMSCs also inhibited caspase-3 and interleukin-1β mRNA expression in injured renal tissues. Western blot also showed HGF-hucMSCs-treated groups had lower expression of interleukin-1β. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin-deoxyuridine triphosphate (dUTP) nick end labeling method indicated that HGF-hucMSCs-treated group had the least apoptosis cells. In conclusion, our findings suggest that HGF modification promotes the amelioration of ischemia/reperfusion-induced rat renal injury via antiapoptotic and antiinflammatory mechanisms; thus, providing a novel therapeutic application for hucMSCs in AKI.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
