VCAM-1 expression on dystrophic muscle vessels has a critical role in the recruitment of human blood-derived CD133+ stem cells after intra-arterial transplantation

Manuela Gavina, Marzia Belicchi, Barbara Rossi, Linda Ottoboni, Fabio Colombo, Mirella Meregalli, Maurizio Battistelli, Laura Forzenigo, Piero Biondetti, Federica Pisati, Daniele Parolini, Andrea Farini, Andrew C. Issekutz, Nereo Bresolin, Franco Rustichelli, Gabriela Constantin, Yvan Torrente

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

53 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Recently our group demonstrated the myogenic capacity of human CD133 + cells isolated from peripheral blood when delivered in vivo through the arterial circulation into the muscle of dystrophic scid/mdx mice. CD133+ stem cells express the adhesion molecules CD44, LFA-1, PSGL-1, α4-integrins, L-selectin, and chemokine receptor CCR7. Moreover these cells adhere in vitro to VCAM-1 spontaneously and after stimulation with CCL19. Importantly, after muscle exercise, we found that the expression of VCAM-1 is strongly up-regulated in dystrophic muscle vessels, whereas the number of rolling and firmly adhered CD133+ stem cells significantly increased. Moreover, human dystrophin expression was significantly increased when muscle exercise was performed 24 hours before the intraarterial injection of human CD133+ cells. Finally, treatment of exercised dystrophic mice with anti-VCAM-1 antibodies led to a dramatic blockade of CD133+ stem cell migration into the dystrophic muscle. Our results show for the first time that the expression of VCAM-1 on dystrophic muscle vessels induced by exercise controls muscle homing of human CD133+ stem cells, opening new perspectives for a potential therapy of muscular dystrophy based on the intra-arterial delivery of CD133+ stem cells.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2857-2866
Number of pages10
JournalBlood
Volume108
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 15 2006

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Immunology
  • Hematology
  • Cell Biology

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