We isolated a clonal cell line (4E) from kidneys of mice expressing green fluorescent protein controlled by the endothelial-specific Tie2 promoter. When grown in a three-dimensional matrigel matrix they formed a fluorescent capillary network. In vivo angiogenesis assays using growth factor-depleted matrigel implanted plugs promoted a moderate angiogenesis of host endothelial cells. Using vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A and fibroblast growth factor-2 in the plugs containing 4E-cells resulted in a robust vasculogenesis. Transplantation of 4E cells into mice with acute renal ischemia showed selective engraftment in the ischemic kidney which promoted tubular regeneration by increasing epithelial proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis. This resulted in an accelerated functional recovery 3 days after ischemia. These mice showed a 5-fold increase in tissue VEGF expression compared to controls, but no difference in plasma VEGF level corresponding with better preservation of peritubular capillaries, perhaps due to a local paracrine effect following systemic 4E infusion. One month after ischemia, 9% of engrafted 4E cells expressed green fluorescent protein in the peritubular region while half of them expressed α-smooth muscle actin. Our study shows that kidney mesenchymal stem cells are capable of differentiation toward endothelial and smooth muscle cell lineages in vitro and in vivo, support new blood vessel formation in favorable conditions and promote functional recovery of an ischemic kidney.

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There are conflicting data regarding the effects of transplantation of bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) on the severity of diabetes. We therefore inquired whether the competence of BMDCs is preserved on adoptive transfer into diabetic (db/db) mice and how the adoptive transfer of BMDCs affects vascular and metabolic abnormalities in these mice. Recipient db/db mice received infusions of BMDCs prepared from either db/db or non-diabetic heterozygout mice (db/m) mice and effects on endothelium-dependent relaxation, insulin sensitivity, and renal function were evaluated. Recipients of BMDCs from db/m, but not db/db donors showed better glucose control, exhibited striking improvement in endothelium-dependent relaxation in response to acetylcholine, and had partially restored renal function. Improved glucose control was due to enhanced insulin sensitivity, most likely secondary to improved vascular function. Enhanced apoptosis of endothelial progenitor cells under oxidative stress, as well as decreased endothelial progenitor cell numbers were responsible for the apparent functional incompetence of BMDCs from db/db donors. Treatment of db/db mice with Ebselen restored the resistance of both BMDCs and endothelial progenitor cells to oxidative stress , improved acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation , and reduced proteinuria in db/db recipients of BMDC transplantation. In conclusion, infusion of BMDCs obtained from db/m donors to db/db recipient mice benefited macrovascular function, insulin sensitivity, and nephropathy. BMDCs obtained from db/db mice were functionally incompetent secondary to the increased proportion of apoptotic cells on oxidative stress challenge; their competence was restored by

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