AUTHOR=Kim Kyeong Mi , An Hyun-Ju , Kim Sang-Hoon , Kim JuHee , Sim Changgon , Lee Jaemin , Park Sin Hyung , Lee Hyun Il , Jang Inseok , Lee Soonchul TITLE=Therapeutic Effect of Pericytes for Diabetic Wound Healing JOURNAL=Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine VOLUME=9 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cardiovascular-medicine/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2022.868600 DOI=10.3389/fcvm.2022.868600 ISSN=2297-055X ABSTRACT=Objective

Numerous attempts have been made to devise treatments for ischemic foot ulcer (IFU), which is one of the most severe and fatal consequences of diabetes mellitus (DM). Pericytes, which are perivascular multipotent cells, are of interest as a treatment option for IFU because they play a critical role in forming and repairing various tissues. In this study, we want to clarify the angiogenic potential of pericytes in DM-induced wounds.

Methods

We evaluated pericyte stimulation capability for tube formation, angiogenesis, and wound healing (cell migration) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with in-vivo and in-vitro models of high glucose conditions.

Results

When HUVECs were co-cultured with pericytes, their tube-forming capacity and cell migration were enhanced. Our diabetic mouse model showed that pericytes promote wound healing via increased vascularization.

Conclusion

The findings of this study indicate that pericytes may enhance wound healing in high glucose conditions, consequently making pericyte transplantation suitable for treating IFUs.