TY - JOUR TI - VEGF165 gene-modified human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells protect against acute liver failure in rats AU - Chen, Haiou AU - Tang, Shigang AU - Liao, Jinmao AU - Liu, Meng AU - Lin, Yihe T2 - The Journal of Gene Medicine AB - Background Human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (HUCB-MSCs) can exert protective effect on rat models of acute liver failure (ALF). Vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (VEGF165) is the predominant VEGF isoform and possesses a strong pro-angiogenic function. In this study, HUCB-MSC was served as the gene-delivery vehicle for VEGF165 gene, and we explored the therapeutic effects of this system on ALF. Methods HUCB-MSCs were infected with the adenovirus expressing GFP-VEFG fusion protein (Ad-VEGF165) to overexpress VEGF165 or the adenovirus expressing GFP (Ad-GFP) as control. The control and modified HUCB-MSCs were then transplanted into ALF model rats. Liver function and liver pathological changes were assessed by biochemical tests and liver histology. Immunohistochemistry was carried out to determine the expression of BrdU, CD34, Ki67, and VEGF. Results VEGF165 overexpression enhanced the multipotency of HUCB-MSCs and promoted the homing and colonization of HUCB-MSC in the liver tissues of ALF rats. Furthermore, although HUCB-MSCs transplantation ameliorated liver damage and promoted liver regeneration to some extent in ALF rats, Ad-VEGF165-HUCB-MSCs transplantation showed stronger therapeutic effects on ALF. Conclusions In summary, transplantation of VEGF165-modified HUCB-MSCs exerts stronger therapeutic effects on ALF than HUCB-MSCs. This study provides a novel therapeutic approach for ALF. DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/jgm.3369 DP - Wiley Online Library VL - n/a IS - n/a SP - e3369 LA - en SN - 1521-2254 UR - https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jgm.3369 Y2 - 2021/06/03/23:05:47 KW - acute liver failure KW - mesenchymal stem cells KW - umbilical cord KW - vascular endothelial growth factor ER -