Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Mediated Therapy of Peripheral Artery Disease Is Stimulated by a Lamin A-Progerin Binding Inhibitor

Objective Human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) have been reported to promote angiogenesis and tissue repair. However, poor survival and engraftment efficiency of transplanted ASCs are the major bottlenecks for therapeutic application. The present study aims to improve the therapeutic efficacy of ASCs for peripheral artery diseases. Methods Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was used to induce apoptotic cell death in ASCs. To measure apoptosis, we used flow cytometry-based apoptosis analysis and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining. A murine hindlimb ischemia model was established to measure the ASC-mediated therapeutic angiogenesis and in vivo survival ability of ASCs. Results We identified that the inhibitor of lamin A-progerin binding, JH4, protects ASCs against H2O2-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis. Co-administration of ASCs with JH4 improved ASC-mediated blood reperfusion recovery and limb salvage compared to that of the control group in a mouse hind limb ischemia model. Immunofluorescence showed that JH4 treatment potentiated ASC-mediated vascular regeneration via reducing ASC apoptosis post transplantation. Conclusion JH4 exerts anti-apoptotic effects in ASCs in conditions of oxidative stress, and contributes to the repair of ischemic hind limb injury by improving cell survival.