Nanofiber-expanded human CD34+ cells heal cutaneous wounds in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

Sci Rep. 2019 Jun 10;9(1):8415. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-44932-7.

Abstract

Despite advances in diabetic wound care, the significant number of amputations that occur every year demands more effective therapeutics. Herein, we offer an aminated polyethersulfone nanofiber-expanded human umbilical cord blood-derived CD34+ cells (henceforth CD34+ cells) effective therapy, tested in cutaneous wounds developed in streptozotocin-induced diabetic NOD/SCID mice. We show that systemic administration of CD34+ cells homed to the wound site and significantly accelerated wound closure. Wound closure was associated with improved re-epithelialization and increased neovascularization; and with decreased sustained pro-inflammatory activity of NF-κB and its downstream effector molecules TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 at the wound bed. This finding was further supported by the observation of a decreased number of myeloperoxidase positive neutrophils, and concomitantly increased levels of IL-10. In addition, improved granulation tissue formation was observed along with higher collagen deposition and myofibroblasts and decreased expressions of MMP-1. Mechanistically, CD34+ cells reduced the level of MMP-1 expression by inhibiting recruitment of NF-κB to the MMP-1 promoter site in dermal fibroblasts. In summary, we provide evidence of a novel nanofiber-expanded CD34+ stem cell therapeutic development for treating diabetic wounds by defining their cellular and molecular mechanisms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD34 / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Collagen / metabolism
  • Dermis / pathology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / pathology*
  • Extracellular Matrix / drug effects
  • Extracellular Matrix / metabolism
  • Fetal Blood / cytology
  • Fibroblasts / drug effects
  • Granulation Tissue / pathology
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases / metabolism
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • Mice, SCID
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Nanofibers / chemistry*
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic / drug effects
  • Neutrophil Infiltration / drug effects
  • Skin / pathology*
  • Streptozocin
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / pharmacology
  • Wound Healing* / drug effects

Substances

  • Antigens, CD34
  • NF-kappa B
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Streptozocin
  • Collagen
  • Matrix Metalloproteinases