Angiogenesis by Implantation of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells and Platelets Into Ischemic Limbs

Abstract

Background— Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs), platelets, and polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) contain various angiogenic factors and cytokines. Methods and Results— Unilateral hindlimb ischemia was surgically induced in athymic nude rats, and fluorescence-labeled human blood cells (PBMNCs [10 ⁷ cells]+platelets [10 ⁹ ] or PBMNCs [10 ⁷ ]+platelets [10 ⁹ ]+PMNs [10 ⁷ ]) were intramuscularly implanted into the ischemic limbs. Laser Doppler imaging revealed markedly increased blood perfusion in PBMNC+platelet-implanted limbs (44% increase, P P P P Conclusions— This study demonstrated that implantation of PBMNCs and platelets into ischemic limbs effectively induces collateral vessel formation by supplying angiogenic factors (mainly VEGF) and cytokines, suggesting that this cell therapy is useful as a novel strategy for therapeutic angiogenesis.