Marrow-Derived Stromal Cells Express Genes Encoding a Broad Spectrum of Arteriogenic Cytokines and Promote In Vitro and In Vivo Arteriogenesis Through Paracrine Mechanisms

We recently demonstrated that marrow stromal cells (MSCs) augment collateral remodeling through release of several cytokines such as VEGF and bFGF rather than via cell incorporation into new or remodeling vessels. The present study was designed to characterize the full spectrum of cytokine genes expressed by MSCs and to further examine the role of paracrine mechanisms that underpin their therapeutic potential. Normal human MSCs were cultured under normoxic or hypoxic conditions for 72 hours. The gene expression profile of the cells was determined using Affymetrix GeneChips representing 12 000 genes. A wide array of arteriogenic cytokine genes were expressed at baseline, and several were induced >1.5-fold by…