Imaging techniques to evaluate cell therapy in peripheral artery disease: state of the art and clinical trials

Abstract

Cell-based therapies, as potential approach to cure peripheral artery disease (PAD), have been clinically investigated after promising results in preclinical models. The so far published studies are very heterogeneous, as different cell sources, cell types, amounts of administered cells and delivering strategies have been used. Overall, cell therapies for PAD bring about a general improvement of patient's clinical condition, even though conclusions cannot be established due to the small size and non-randomized design of these trials. In this context, non-invasive imaging techniques, aimed to monitor angiogenesis and neovascularization after cell therapy, will help the follow-up of clinical studies. However, still much work is needed to establish advanced imaging procedure to overcome the limitation of the current techniques and to accumulate more data in large populations of patients. Here, we report the main imaging techniques employed to evaluate the outcome of the different cell-based therapies in PAD. Moreover, we focus on both published and ongoing clinical trials utilizing cell therapy in PAD.

Genetic and Epigenetic Control of CDKN1C Expression: Importance in Cell Commitment and Differentiation, Tissue Homeostasis and Human Diseases

“…It is well known that adult stem cells settle specific niches in different tissues and organs, thus supporting their repair/regeneration [ 57 , 191 , 192 , 193 ]. In this regard, p57 Kip2 has been discovered as a very important factor [ 36 , 56 , 61 , 63 , 194 ].…”

Clinical relevance of epigenetics in the onset and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus

“…Cell therapy is a developing field with vast potential for clinical intervention in diabetes and many other diseases. 32,33 Functional b-like cells, have been recently obtained in vitro from human adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells and from foreskin fibroblasts, although the most convenient sources are adipose, skin, or blood cells. [34][35][36] However, these artificially generated b-like cells do not completely recapitulate the phenotype and functions of an original b cells, thus reducing the therapeutic efficacy.…”

Epigenetic Hallmarks of Fetal Early Atherosclerotic Lesions in Humans

“…Epigenetic modifications of certain genes that are involved in cholesterol homeostasis could be a relevant mechanism in the fetal atherogenic response to elevated maternal cholesterol level. Atherosclerosis is a pathologic degeneration of the artery wall that is difficult to reverse, and regenerative medicine is not yet a viable option to cure atherosclerotic disease; thus, prevention is necessary to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease . Of note, in experimental models of maternal in utero programming of atherosclerosis, pharmacologic treatment of maternal hypercholesterolemia during pregnancy reduced atherogenesis and cardiovascular risk factors in the offspring .…”