In vivo assessment of bone marrow cell implantation in reconstructive surgery using microcirculatory experimental models

Summary form only given. Regenerative medicine using manipulated stem cells or progenitors has become a center of attraction as advancing and epoch-making medical science. One of the candidates for available progenitors includes bone marrow cells (BMCs). Using our original microcirculatory experimental models, we investigated the effects of implantation of BMCs to access its possibility of clinical application in reconstructive surgery. We used two experimental models; the mouse symmetrical flap model and the visualized angiogenesis model. The former provides reliable method for the study of ischemia-reperfusion injury. The latter allows analysis of microcirculation during wound healing angiogenesis under an intravital microscope. BMCs from the mouse femur and tibia were prepared so as to endothelial progenitor cell (EPC)-enriched fraction was isolated. Prepared BMCs were applied to the two experimental models. Local implantation of BMCs significantly improved flap survival area in the symmetrical flap model. BMC administration positively influenced microcirculatory responses in angiogenic process in the wound healing model. The present study indicates that ischemia-reperfusion injury and wound healing angiogenesis may be successfully treated by BMC implantation.