Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Studies have demonstrated that turnover of transplanted bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) with poor differentiation potential in ischemic environment greatly influences curative effects.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of hypoxia changes on proliferation and homing ability of rat BMSCs. 
METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rat BMSCs were isolated and then cultured under atmosphere of 1% O2 (hypoxia group) and 20% O2 (normoxia group) respectively for 0-7 days. Cells for Transwell chamber migration were classified into four groups by oxygen concentration at culture and migration: 1%O2 culture and 1%O2 migration, 20%O2 culture and 1%O2 migration, 1%O2 culture and 20%O2 migration, 20%O2 culture and 20%O2 migration. Migrated cells were counted. Protein levels of integrin β1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in BMSCs cultured under different concentrations of oxygen were detected by western blot.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Migration and proliferation abilities of BMSCs were enhanced under the atmosphere of 1%O2 and the abilities were weakened under the atmosphere of 20%O2 (P < 0.05). Integrin β1 expression in BMSCs was increased under the atmosphere of 1%O2 (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that 1% O2 enhances the proliferation and migration abilities of rat BMSCs after transplantation.