Alginate‐Encapsulated Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Improve Hind Limb Ischemia in a Translational Swine Model

Abstract

Background Cellular therapies have been investigated to improve blood flow and prevent amputation in peripheral artery disease with limited efficacy in clinical trials. Alginate‐encapsulated mesenchymal stromal cells (eMSCs) demonstrated improved retention and survival and promoted vascular generation in murine hind limb ischemia through their secretome, but large animal evaluation is necessary for human applicability. We sought to determine the efficacy of eMSCs for peripheral artery disease–induced limb ischemia through assessment in our durable swine hind limb ischemia model. Methods and Results Autologous bone marrow eMSCs or empty alginate capsules were intramuscularly injected 2 weeks post–hind limb ischemia establishment (N=4/group). Improvements were quantified for 4 weeks through walkway gait analysis, contrast angiography, blood pressures, fluorescent microsphere perfusion, and muscle morphology and histology. Capsules remained intact with mesenchymal stromal cells retained for 4 weeks. Adenosine‐induced perfusion deficits and muscle atrophy in ischemic limbs were significantly improved by eMSCs versus empty capsules (mean±SD, 1.07±0.19 versus 0.41±0.16, P =0.002 for perfusion ratios and 2.79±0.12 versus 1.90±0.62 g/kg, P =0.029 for ischemic muscle mass). Force‐ and temporal‐associated walkway parameters normalized (ratio, 0.63±0.35 at week 3 versus 1.02±0.19 preligation; P =0.17), and compensatory footfall patterning was diminished in eMSC‐administered swine (12.58±8.46% versus 34.85±15.26%; P =0.043). Delivery of eMSCs was associated with trending benefits in collateralization, local neovascularization, and muscle fibrosis. Hypoxia‐cultured porcine mesenchymal stromal cells secreted vascular endothelial growth factor and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2. Conclusions This study demonstrates the promise of the mesenchymal stromal cell secretome at improving peripheral artery disease outcomes and the potential for this novel swine model to serve as a component of the preclinical pipeline for advanced therapies.