Efficacy of Different Doses of Human Autologous Adult Bone Marrow Stem Cell Transplantation on Angiogenesis in an Immune Deficient Rat Model with Hind Limb Ischemia

Angiogenesis is essential for the function of most organs. The angiogenesis after organ injury or transplantation is key to the survival, regeneration and functioning of the affected organ. Stem cell transplantation was established to induce promotion of repair of ischemic tissue partially through angiogenesis which has been shown in models of hind limb ischemia for example [1]. Stem cell therapies differ with respect to the origin of the cells, cell numbers and route of application [2-5]. Studies were for example performed with unfractionated bone marrow cells, endothelial progenitor cells and/or peripheral blood mononuclear cells which make comparison very difficult [3-5]. In addition, the different cell types have different properties and functions. A recent meta-analysis could not identify an approach that is clinically established neither with respect to cell type, dose route of application [6]. Mesenchymal stem cells offer a unique combination of anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects whereas endothelial stem cells may directly promote angiogenesis [7]. In animals with subacute ligated femoral arteries, neo-angiogenesis with restoration of the blood flow to the ischemic limb was reported to develop after injection of different kinds of stem cells [8-15]. These findings are considered to be the effect of both cell presence and the paracrine secretion of growth factors and cytokines. The role of the various cell types of the transplants (mesenchymal cells, hematopoietic cells, etc.), however, remains unclear, although after transplantation, both the number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells increases [16,17]. Some cells of the transplant were found to be incorporated into newly formed collaterals in ischemic areas [18]. However, the intra-arterial versus the intramuscular route was found to be equivalent which raises questions about the mechanisms since no direct initial contact of the transplanted cells with the injured tissue was apparently necessary [2,6]. Although a systemic effect may be suspected, there was however a dose dependency in response [2].

We asked in this study whether we can determine an optimal dose for the administration of unfractionated human bone marrow derived cells, containing a mixture of mesenchymal, hematopoietic stem cells and angiotrophic factors after centrifugation, in an immunodeficient animal model in order to promote angiogenesis after hind limb ischemia.We combined intra-arterial with intramuscular administration of human cells to test for enhanced revascularization after 35 days in a dose dependent manner.

The animal experiments were executed after animal approval was obtained. We chose an immunodeficient animal model which does not mandate the concomitant administration of immunosuppressive drugs in order to avoid confounding.

After clinical examination, 35 female animals were anesthetized and the right A. iliaca externa was proximally occluded to establish a right hind limb ischemia. Rats were anesthetized with isoflurane, and the right hind limb was shaved with an electric clipper, and disinfected with ethanol. The animals then were subcutaneously injected with tramadol 2mg/kg Body Weight (BW) for analgesia. After an incision in the right hind limb, the A. iliaca externa was exposed and proximally occluded with Vycril 5-0. Subcutaneous tissue was then sutured with Vycril 3-0 and the skin was closed with Michel clamps. After the occlusion, the animals were kept one week in their cages for recovery before digital subtraction angiography.

Seven days after the occlusion, the animals were again anesthetized with isoflurane and then the ventral region of the neck was clipped and disinfected with ethanol. The animals received Tramadol 2mg/kg BW subcutaneously for analgesia. First, a conventional X-Ray was performed to document the anatomic locations for further analysis. Secondly, the Arteria Carotis Communis Sinistra (ACCS - left common carotid artery) was prepared and a catheter (1270.02 Umbilical Catheter, Vygon, 2,5 French 30 cm) was inserted into the ACCS and guided into the aorta, with the catheter tip ending directly in front of the bifurcation of the A. iliaca interna. Finally, a Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) was performed with a GE OEC 7700 X-ray device and using 0.3 to 0.5 ml of Ultravist^® in a fast bolus to visualize the vessels of the rats. The complete DSA procedures were repeated at day 35 after the occlusion with the difference that the catheters were then inserted directly in the abdominal aorta. The DSA device (GE, OEC 7700) settings were 2 images per second at 1,1-1,2 mA and 52- 54mV. The analysis of the angiography was performed using ImageJ^® software.

Six healthy volunteers were recruited for iliac crest-bone marrow collection, after giving written informed consents. Bone marrow samples were processed under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) conditions by centrifugation according to standard operating protocols to obtain the buffy coat (internal product name ASCT01). The samples were analyzed to assess the total number of viable CD34⁺ cells. Within 48 hours after the bone marrow procurement, the samples were administered to the rats. During the whole procedure, bone marrow cells were kept between 2-8 degrees celsius, which ensured a cellular viability greater than 95% (data not shown). Directly before administration to the rats, bone marrow cell suspensions were carefully resuspended and adjusted with sodium chloride 0.9% (vehicle) solution to the needed concentrations. Table 1 gives for each group the mean number of administrated viable CD34⁺ cells per kg. Study drugs (bone marrow cell suspension and vehicle) were injected both intra-arterial (through the DSA catheter over a period of 10 min) and intramuscular through syringes, warmed in the water bath at 37°C prior to injection. The ratio of cells injected intraarterially and intramuscularly was 2:1. Cell concentrations for intra-arterial injections are given in table 1.

 

Concentration group	Mean number of viable CD34+ Cells administered intraarterially (I.A.) and intramuscularly (I.M.) per animal	Total number of rats
Low Concentration	I.A.: 327,600 CD34+ Cells/kg I.M.: 163,800 CD34+ Cells/kg	7
Medium Concentration	I.A.: 688,800 CD34+ Cells/kg I.M.: 344,400 CD34+ Cells/kg	6
High Concentration	I.A.: 1,308,000 CD34+ Cells/kg I.M.: 654,000 CD34+ Cells/kg	5

Table 1: Overview mean number of CD34⁺ Cells per treatment group.

The primary outcome of this study was the change in the vascular density of the blood vessels as an indicator of angiogenesis in the ischemic limbs after treatment with various doses of bone marrow cells versus treatment with the vehicle. Therefore, Regions of Interest (ROI) were set by conventional X-ray from the head of the femur to the distal end of the fibula of both the vascular occluded right and the intact left hind limbs of the individual rats. In these regions, the Mean Gray Value (MGV) was visualized in the digital images taken during the subtraction angiography (DSA) at day 7 and day 35 (MGV-7 and MGV-35). MGV was calculated using the pixel calculator of the ImageJ^® Software.

The effect of the unilateral ligation of the (right) iliac artery was studied by comparing MGV-7 of both legs. Then, the effect of the vehicle on vascularization in the right hind limb after ligation was studied by comparing Vehicle MGV-7 and MGV-35 calculations in the right hind limb. The effect of bone marrow cells on the vascularization in the ischemic legs was studied by comparing their MGV-7 and MGV-35 calculations in the ligated right hind limbs with the vehicle MGVs.

The changes in MGV for the different bone marrow cells treated groups were tested to the changes in the MGV for the Vehicle group using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA).

The individual changes between the MGV at day 35 and day 7 for every group were tested within the group using a pair wise T-test. At last, the positive changes in the MGV ratio’s for the occluded legs are grouped as 1. No changes or negative changes are grouped as 0. With a Chi-square non parametric test the bone marrow treated group was compared with the Vehicle group and tested for significance. Statistical significance was assumed with p<0.05 levels.

The surgery was successfully performed in all animals. There was no difference in body weight between the different treatment groups and the vehicle group before the surgery (data not shown).In the treatment group treated with the high bone marrow cell dose, two animals died during the application of this dose, and another one had to be sacrificed during follow-up. During the follow-up of the treated animals, all remaining animals showed an uncomplicated and expected body weight development (data not shown). During the study the limb temperatures were measured. The temperature of the limb was stable over time (data not shown).

The MGV-7 and MGV-35 for both vascular occluded right and intact left legs were calculated for each animal. There was a significant decrease in MGV-7 in the occluded right legs as compared with the intact left legs in MGV-7 (Figure 1a), which showed about 40% loss of calculated vascular density as compared to the left MGV. During the follow-up, vehicle-treated animals showed significant progression up to roughly 60 % of the MGV at day 35 (Figure 1b) which is in line with results in immunocompetent animal models [8].

 

Figure 1: Overview MGV-7 and MGV-35 values in the ischemic right hind leg (left) and in the intact left hind leg. (1a): MGV in intact left leg for Vehicle, low dose, medium dose and high dose group. (1b): MGV in occluded right leg for vehicle, low dose, medium dose and high dose group. Significance compared to MGV-7 with ANOVA marked with *p<0.01. (1c): Percentage of change between the MGV at day 7 and 35 for the occluded leg and the different groups. (*1) Deterioration of the limb ischemia in vehicle treated animals (Pair wise T-Test p = 0.003); (*2) Difference after low dose cell therapy to the vehicle treated group (ANOVA p < 0.001); (*3) Difference after medium dose cell therapy to the vehicle treated group (ANOVA p < 0.01). No improvement after high dose therapy.

At day 35, a significant increase of vascular density was found in all other bone marrow cells treated groups compared to the vehicle treated group (Figure 1b) except in the high dose group. To set these changes into proportion to each other, figure 1c presents the percentages of change in MGV at day 35 for the occluded leg for the different ASCT01 and vehicle treated groups. Low and medium dose of unfractionated bone marrow cells improved mean gray values significantly which high dose treatment did not. The proportional improvement was highest in the low dose bone marrow cells group. We then asked the question whether there was a correlation between the number of CD34⁺ cells and the MGV improvement. Figure 2 represents the dose response curve which showed no clear correlation between the absolute number of CD34⁺ cells administered intraarterially and intramuscularly and the absolute change in MGV at day 35 compared with day 7.

 

Figure 2: The dose-response graph describes the relationship between the total number of CD34+ cells in low and medium dose ASCT01 and the improvement on day 35 in Mean Gray Value (MGV). The values are weighted by dividing the expected value by the measured value for each point. The R² is 0,216, which means that no correlation between the total CD34+ and the Mean Gray Value was found.

The concomitant application of cells intraarterially and intramuscularly into the affected limb was done to optimize the re-vascularisation. Angiographical data, as obtained during this study, illustrated that the newly formed vessels were still very small. A representative study is shown in figure 3.

 

Figure 3: Example of a set of angiographic images of a with human bone marrow cells (ASCT01) treated T cell deficient rat. The left image is taken at day 7 (before treatment) and the right image is taken at day 35 after the treatment with low dose of human bone marrow cells. Despite concomitant application of cells intramuscularly and intravenously, the newly formed vessels are very small.

We used for our study a T cell deficient rat model in order to avoid confounding effects of immunosuppressive drugs. The critical limb ischemia did deteriorate in the vehicle group, which is in line with the natural course of the disease. In order to promote the effects of the unfractionated bone marrow preparation we tested the combined intra-arterial/intra¬muscular treatment with human bone marrow-derived stem cells in the ischemic leg, at day 35 in a dose dependent manner. We found no dose dependency but a profound clinical improvement after the lower and medium cell concentrations with a significant increase of vascular density, if compared with the reduced vascular density at day 7. This significant repair of vascular density, though, was not seen in the animals treated with higher bone marrow cell concentrations. Treating the ligated legs with these high doses, on the contrary, had a non-significant tendency to further loss of vascular density as compared to the MGV-7 situation was established. We tested in 5 animals the highest possible cell concentration of bone marrow cells which resulted in the death of 2 out of 5 rats during administration of this preparation. Although in general, bone marrow cell treatment was well tolerated in the low and medium dose groups, in the higher dose groups there were some difficulties with the intraarterial administration, due to the high viscosity of the solutions, probably resulting in physical obstruction in these vessels despite the rather long infusion period. 

Angiographical data illustrated that the newly perfused vessels were still very small (Figure 3). This could indicate that our intra-arterial and intramuscular approach did not generate an expedition of the underlying angiogenesis. The process of angiogenesis is starting up slowly, making the clinical improvements initially difficult to detect. Therefore, a longer follow up period after treatment would probably result in more and longer blood vessels formation and diameter in the treatment groups. This is most likely not possible in the placebo group due to the natural deterioration of the hind limb occlusion. 

Our approach of intra-arterial plus intramuscular administration was very different from currently clinically tested intramuscular or intra-arterial approaches [6,7]. We chose the combined approach to bring the cells to the circulation and allow access from the endothelial side for cell to cell interaction and secretion of paracrine factors [19,20]. In addition, the allogenic cells have a short half-life irrespective of the immunosuppression of the animals [21].The chosen xenograft model, in which T-cell deficient rats were treated with human bone marrow stem cells without any further immune suppression, is useful in order to avoid the confounding effects of immunosuppression [22]. It has the advantages, such as better animal treatment conditions, and better mimicking the human clinical situation when compared with studies were immune suppressive drugs were used.

It would be interesting to also assess the effect of individual treatments (intra-arterial and intra-muscular administration) to clarify the contribution of each route of stem cells administration. Since clinical trials have shown equipoise between the two administration routes we did not include these groups in order to reduce the number of experimental animals.

We faced serious limitation due to the high viscosity which makes this approach less promising [4]. Our study has additional limitations with respect to the time period of follow up and the mode of administration. The approach to test cell-based or cell-derived preparations in T-cell deficient rats is however possible and allows the assessment of cell-based or cell-derived preparations without additional drugs administration since the quest for the best cell preparation is still ongoing [21]. The different properties of the cell mixture of bone marrow versus mesenchymal stromal cells offer opportunities in particular with respect to immunomodulation and/or regeneration [23]. Despite the evolving evidence for clinical effectiveness of autologous bone marrow derived treatment [7], the preparation of bone marrow and the selection of subgroups of cells from bone marrow warrants further studies [4].

This study reports that T cell deficient rats can be used as a model for angiogenesis after critical limb ischemia. We used the immunosuppressed animals to test centrifuged human bone marrow suspension containing mesenchymal and hematopoietic stem cells which significantly improved hind limb perfusion in T cell deficient rats. This study did show that the centrifuged human bone marrow suspension containing low and medium doses of bone marrow cells significantly improved the hind limb ischemia as compared to vehicle-treated group in T-cell deficient rats, and that this effect was lost with higher doses, most likely due to hyper viscosity.