Capillary arterialization requires the bone marrow-derived cell (BMC)-specific expression of chemokine (C-C motif) receptor-2, but BMCs do not transdifferentiate into microvascular smooth muscle

摘要

Chemokine (C-C motif) receptor-2 (CCR2) regulates arteriogenesis and angiogenesis, facilitating the MCP-1-dependent recruitment of growth factor-secreting bone marrow-derived cells (BMCs). Here, we tested the hypothesis that the BMC-specific expression of CCR2 is also required for new arteriole formation via capillary arterialization. Following non-ischemic saphenous artery occlusion, we measured the following in gracilis muscles: monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) in wild-type (WT) C57Bl/6J mice by ELISA, and capillary arterialization in WT–WT and CCR2?/?–WT (donor–host) bone marrow chimeric mice, as well as BMC transdifferentiation in EGFP+–WT mice, by smooth muscle (SM) α-actin immunochemistry. MCP-1 levels were significantly elevated 1 day after occlusion in WT mice. In WT–WT mice at day 7, compared to sham controls, arterial occlusion induced a 34% increase in arteriole length density, a 46% increase in SM α-actin+ vessels, and a 45% increase in the fraction of vessels coated with SM α-actin, indicating significant capillary arterialization. However, in CCR2?/?–WT mice, no differences were observed between arterial occlusion and sham surgery. In EGFP+–WT mice, EGFP and SM α-actin never colocalized. We conclude that BMC-specific CCR2 expression is required for skeletal muscle capillary arterialization following arterial occlusion; however, BMCs do not transdifferentiate into smooth muscle.