The role of SDF-1/CXCR4 axis in recipient' s remnant islets regeneration after the transplantation of allogeneic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

Objective To investigate the role of stromal cell derived factor-1 (SDF-1)/CXCR4axis in recipients' remnant islets regeneration and neovascularization after the transplantation of allogeneic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Methods MSCs were isolated from SD rats, cultured in vitro and identified by testing the phenotypes with flow cytometry ( FCM ). The diabetic rats induced by streptozotozin were randomly divided into group A ( MSCs transplant group), group B ( MSCs transplant +AMD group) and group C ( DM control group). Group D serve as the normal control. The pancreata were removed and blood serum was retrieved from each group simultaneously at the 13th day after MSCs transplant. The expression of CD31, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and PDX-1 in each group of pancreas tissue was detected by using immunohistochemistry, and the morphological changes in the isletswere observed by Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) staining. Serum glucose and insulin levels were determined by blood glucose monitor, radioimmunoscintigraphy, and SDF-1 in serum was by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Neovascularization was observed in the remnant islets of the recipient pancreatic tissue and CD31 -positive cells (71.2 ± 5.3 ) %, PCNA-positive cells ( 76. 5 ± 4. 5 ) %, PDX-1-positive cells (69. 8 ±6. 7)% were highly expressed in group A. As compared with group A, seldom-positive cells[CD31 (7.4±2. 1)%, PCNA (5.5 ±3.7)% and PDX-1 (8.8 ±2.9)%]and rarely neovascularization were observed in group B (P ＜0. 05 ). Serum glucose level in group A was lower than that in group B and group C, but serum insulin level in group A was significantly higher than that in group B and group C (P ＜ 0. 05 ). There was no significant difference between group A and group B in serum SDF-1level ( P ＞ 0. 05 ), but that was higher in groups A and B than in group C ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). Conclusion Obviously, MSCs promote recipient neovascularization surrounding the islets, which enhances the proliferation and regeneration of remnant islets. AMD 3100 has the function of intervening SDF-1/CXCR4 axis,which inhibits the effect of MSCs on promoting islets regeneration. It is suggested that SDF-1/CXCR4 axis may play an important role in vascularization and islets regeneration. Key words: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells;  SDF-1;  Islet;  Regeneration