Inhibition of endothelial progenitor cells against hepatic vein thrombosis after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

Abstract

Objective To (e)xplore inhibition of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) against hepatic vein thrombosis after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT).Methods Balb/c mice were randomly divided into three groups: (1) BMT group [Balb/c mice were injected intravenously with 5 × 106 bone marrow cells after total body irradiation (TBI)]; (2) EPCs co-transfusion with bone marrow cells group: 5 × 105 EPCs were infused into recipient mice simultaneously; (3) Normal control group.Liver index was detected on the day 0,5,10,15 and 20 after transplantation.Hepatic vein thrombosis,hepatic cells and vascular endothelial damage were observed under the light microscopy after H&E staining.The injury of liver cells,liver veins,hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs)and platelet adhesion conditions were observed under a transmission electron microscope (TEM).The proportion of activated platelets and TNF-α concentration in peripheral blood were detected by using flow cytometry.Results On the day 0,5,10,15 and 20 after transplantation,the proportion of activated platelets,liver index and TNF-α concentrations in BMT group and EPCs co-transfusion group showed an upward trend,peaked on the 15th day,and then decreased.However,they were still significantly higher than those in normal control group (P＜0.05).The above parameters in EPCs co-transfusion group at each time point were significantly lower than those in BMT group (P＜0.05).As compared with BMT group,platelet adhesion decreased,hepatic vein thromboses were reduced,hepatocyte swelling and necrosis were alleviated,and liver damage repaired rapidly in EPCs co-transfusion group.Conclusion EPCs co-transfusion with bone marrow cells could inhibit the hepatic veins thrombosis and ameliorate liver damage significantly. Key words: Endothelial progenitor cell; Endothelium; Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation; Hepatic vein thrombosis