Psoriatic mesenchymal stem cells stimulate the angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro

Microvasc Res. 2021 Jul:136:104151. doi: 10.1016/j.mvr.2021.104151. Epub 2021 Mar 1.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the regulation of psoriatic dermal mesenchymal stem cells (p-DMSCs) in the expression of vascular growth factor (VEGF), and migration and angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro.

Methods: A co-culture model of HUVECs and dermal mesenchymal stem cells (DMSCs)was used in this study. After 7-day co-culture, changes in expression levels of VEGF mRNA and protein in HUVECs were assessed using RT-PCR and Western Blotting, respectively. Migration and tubular formation of HUVECs were also assessed following co-culture of DMSCs and HUVECs.

Results: In comparison to either HUVECs alone or co-culture of n-DMSCs and HUVECs, co-culture of HUVECs and p-DMSCs significantly increased expression levels of both VEGF mRNA (p < 0.01 vs. HUVECs alone) and protein in HUVECs (p < 0.001 vs. both HUVECs alone and HUVECs co-cultured with n-DMSCs). Moreover, p-DMSCs stimulated HUVEC migration and vascular formation (p < 0.05 vs. both HUVECs alone and co-culture of n-DMSCs and HUVECs).

Conclusion: Psoriatic DMSCs can upregulate VEGF expression, and stimulate migration and angiogenesis of HUVECs, suggesting a pathogenic role of p-DMSCs in psoriasis.

Keywords: Co-culture; Dermal mesenchymal stem cells; Human umbilical vein endothelial cell.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Communication*
  • Cell Movement
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Coculture Techniques
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / pathology
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic*
  • Psoriasis / metabolism*
  • Psoriasis / pathology
  • Signal Transduction
  • Skin / metabolism*
  • Skin / pathology
  • Up-Regulation
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / genetics
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism*

Substances

  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A