Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells prevent glucocorticoid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head by promoting angiogenesis

Abstract

The impairment of angiogenesis is an outstanding pathogenic characteristic of glucocorticoid (GC)-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) have been used in several diseases models, which were reported to be involved in the angiogenesis. However, whether hUC-MSCs suppress the GC-induced ONFH via promoting angiogenesis is still unclear. hUC-MSCs were isolated from the Wharton’s jelly using the explant culture method. A GC-induced ONFH model was established in vitro and in vivo. The angiogenesis, proliferation and migration ability of HMECs were determined using the tube-forming, CCK-8, transwell and scratching assays in vitro. The protective role of hUC-MSCs in GC-induced ONFH was evaluated using micro-CT scanning and histological, immunohistochemical (IHC) and Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays in vivo. The results showed that hUC-MSCs treatment improved the tube-forming, proliferation and migration ability of HMECs in vitro. Moreover, hUC-MSCs treatment enhanced the integrity of trabecular bone of the femoral head, and the tube-forming ability in vivo. hUC-MSCs prevent the femoral head against necrosis and damage caused by GCs though promoting angiogenesis.

Keywords:

• hUC-MSCs
• osteonecrosis of the femoral head
• glucocorticoid
• Necrosis
• Microvascular

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The datasets used or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

The study was approved by the Board and Ethics Committee of Weihai Central Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University [No. 20211302 A]. All participants authorized the written informed consent. This work was supported by Key R&D Projects of Shandong Province [2019GSF107007].