Research Paper

CD34+ Blood Cells Accelerate Vascularization and Healing of Diabetic Mouse Skin Wounds
E. Sivan-Loukianova^a, O.A. Awad^a, V. Stepanovic^a, J. Bickenbach^b, G.C. Schatteman^a

Departments of
^aExercise Science and
^bAnatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA

Address of Corresponding Author

J Vasc Res 2003;40:368-377 (DOI: 10.1159/000072701)

  Key Words

• Angiogenesis
• Diabetes
• Endothelial progenitor
• Endothelium
• Skin
• Stem cell
• Wound healing

  Abstract

Diabetes is characterized by poor circulation and impaired angiogenesis, which appear to contribute to the frequent skin lesions and poor wound healing common in diabetic patients. Therapies to improve circulation commonly improve wound healing in diabetic patients. Administration of circulating CD34+ cells, cells that can function as endothelial cell progenitors, accelerates blood flow restoration to ischemic limbs of diabetic mice. We have investigated the potential of these cells to accelerate revascularization and healing in full-thickness skin wounds of hypoinsulinemic (streptozotocin-treated) diabetic mice. Wounds were injected with human CD34+ or CD34- peripheral blood mononuclear cells or no cells, and analyzed for vascularity and healing at various times thereafter. Treatment with CD34+ enriched cells decreased wound size by 4 days after treatment, accelerated epidermal healing, and rapidly and dramatically accelerated revascularization of the wounds compared to controls. Initially increased vascularization was mediated principally by an increase in vessel diameter, but later, both an increase in vascular size and number were observed. These findings indicate that blood-derived progenitors may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of skin lesions in the setting of diabetes, and give insights into how bone marrow cells exert their effects on neovascularization.

Copyright © 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Assist. Prof. Gina C. Schatteman
Exercise Science FH406
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242-1111 (USA)
Tel. +1 319 335 9486, Fax +1 319 335 6966, E-Mail gina-schatteman@uiowa.edu

  Article Information

Supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health via a pilot grant from the NIH DK25295 Diabetes and Endocrinology Research Center (G.C.S.) and DK59223 (G.C.S. and J.B.).

Received: February 3, 2003
Accepted after revision: April 18, 2003
Published online: July 29, 2003
Number of Print Pages : 10
Number of Figures : 6, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 23