Transplantation of Rat Mesenchymal Stem Cells Overexpressing Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 2α Improves Blood Perfusion and Arteriogenesis in a Rat Hindlimb Ischemia Model

Figure 2

Transplantation of rMSCs^HIF-2α improved blood perfusion and increased neoangiogenesis. (a) Representative LDP images of the ischemic and nonischemic limbs. The images were collected 14 days after the transplantation. (b) Representative photos of the ischemic and nonischemic limbs. The photos were obtained 14 days after the transplantation. The sham group photo shows normal rat feet; the PBS group photo shows a loss of the big toe in the ischemic foot; the rMSC group photo shows gangrene in the ischemic foot; the rMSCs^HIF-2α group photo shows relatively normal rat feet. (c) The rMSCs^HIF-2α group showed significantly higher LDPI index than the rMSC and PBS groups. LDPI index was calculated as the ratio of the perfusion in the ischemic limb to the perfusion in the nonischemic limb. indicates significant difference of the rMSCs^HIF-2α group versus rMSC and PBS groups, . # indicates significant difference of the rMSCs^HIF-2α group versus rMSC and PBS groups, . (d) The rMSCs^HIF-2α group showed significantly lower mobility damage score of the ischemic limb than the PBS groups. indicates significant difference of the rMSCs^HIF-2α group versus the PBS group, . (e) Representative images of staining for alkaline phosphatase and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA). (f) Capillary density in the rMSCs and rMSCs^HIF-2α groups was significantly higher than that in the PBS group. indicates significant difference of the indicated groups versus PBS group, . (g) Arteriole density in the rMSCs and rMSCs^HIF-2α groups was significantly higher than that in the PBS group. indicates significant difference of the indicated groups versus PBS group, . # indicates significant difference of the indicated group versus PBS group, .

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