CCN1 enhances angiogenic potency of bone marrow transplantation in a rat model of hindlimb ischemia.

Implantation of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (BM-MNCs) has been performed in ischemic tissues, for stimulation of angiogenesis, but the limited number of BM-MNCs in patients with hindlimb ischemia disease may offset their overall therapeutic efficacy. CCN1 is a novel and essential regulator during angiogenesis. We evaluated whether CCN1 and BM-MNC are capable of promoting angiogenesis in hindlimb ischemia. In this study, we created the rat model of hindlimb ischemia, and then the rats were randomly divided into four groups: CCN1 infusion plus BM-MNC transplantation (CCN1 + BM-MNCs group), CCN1 infusion plus PBS injection (CCN1 group), vehicle infusion plus BM-MNC transplantation (BM-MNCs group) and vehicle infusion plus PBS injection (control group). The combination of CCN1 and BM-MNC therapy could increase blood perfusion, capillary/muscle fiber ratio and tissue oxygenation in ischemic hindlimb. Moreover, CCN1 could not only inhibit the apoptosis of BM-MNCs, but also enhance the adhesiveness of BM-MNCs to HUVEC. Taken together, CCN1 enhanced angiogenesis of BM-MNC transplantation, and combining CCN1 with BM-MNC transplantation is a useful alternative for ischemic limbs.