Matrix-entrapped cellular secretome rescues diabetes-induced EPC dysfunction and accelerates wound healing in diabetic mice

PLoS One. 2018 Aug 28;13(8):e0202510. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0202510. eCollection 2018.

Abstract

Cellular secretory products have infinite potential, which is only recently explored for research and therapeutic applications. The present study elaborated on the formation of a unique matrix-entrapped cellular secretome (MCS), a hydrogel-like secretome produced by bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells when cultured on a three-dimensional electrospun nanofiber matrix under specific conditions. These culture conditions support the growth of a mixed population predominantly comprising of endothelial precursor cells (EPCs), along with mesenchymal stromal cells and pericytes. Interestingly, such secretome is not formed in a pure culture of EPCs on the similarly formulated matrix, suggesting that a heterotypic cell-cell interaction is essential for the formation of MCS. In addition, the specific composition of the matrix was found to be a critical necessity for the formation of MCS. Furthermore, the application of the MCS as a substrate promotes the growth of EPCs in culture. It also rescues the diabetes-induced EPC dysfunction as assessed based on the parameters, such as viability, proliferation, colony formation, cellular adhesion, chemotactic migration, and tubule formation. MCS augments the levels of eNOS-specific mRNA (Nos3) and also promotes the restoration of the SDF1/CXCR4 axis in diabetic EPCs. Notably, a topical application of MCS on diabetic wounds leads to an accelerated wound closure. Thus, the current data showed that MCS forms an excellent cell-free biomaterial in the treatment of diabetic wounds and non-healing ulcers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cell Survival
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / pathology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / therapy*
  • Diabetic Angiopathies / metabolism
  • Diabetic Angiopathies / pathology
  • Diabetic Angiopathies / therapy*
  • Endothelial Progenitor Cells / metabolism*
  • Endothelial Progenitor Cells / pathology
  • Extracellular Matrix / chemistry*
  • Female
  • Male
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells
  • Mice
  • Nanofibers* / chemistry
  • Nanofibers* / therapeutic use
  • Pericytes / pathology
  • Wound Healing*

Grants and funding

This work is funded by BRNS, Sanction No. 2011/37B/26IBRNS/1251. The Director of National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS) also provided intramural funding to VPK. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.