Construction of calcitonin gene-related peptide-modified mesenchymal stem cells and analysis of their effects on the migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells

Lentiviral expression vectors for calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) were used to transfect rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). After assessing the biological characteristics of proliferation and aging in MSCs transfected with CGRP, we observed the effects of the CGRP-modified rat MSCs on the migration and proliferation of rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in vitro . Rat MSCs were isolated, cultured in vitro , and identified by flow cytometry. A CGRP recombinant lentivirus was transfected into MSCs. The transfection efficiency was determined by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry, and CGRP in MSCs was detected by real-time quantitative PCR, ELISA, and immunofluorescence. The proliferation and senescence of CGRP-modified MSCs were evaluated by MTT assay and beta-galactosidase staining. VSMCs were isolated, cultured in vitro , and identified by immunofluorescence. CGRP-modified MSCs and VSMCs were cocultured in a Transwell system. The proliferation and migration of VSMCs were evaluated by scratch testing and the MTT method. Rat bone marrow MSCs showed a spindle-shaped morphology, adherent growth in vitro , positive CD29 and CD90 expression, and negative CD45 expression. CGRP was stably expressed in MSCs after 48 h of recombinant lentivirus transfection. CGRP mRNA and protein secretion in CGRP recombinant lentivirus-transfected MSCs were higher than that in control MSCs. Immunofluorescence showed that CGRP protein could be expressed in CGRP-modified MSCs. The proliferation ability and senescence rates did not differ between lentivirus-transfected MSCs and untransfected MSCs. Rat VSMCs expressed α-SMA protein and exhibited a spindle-shaped morphology and adherent growth in vitro . In Transwell coculture experiments, scratch testing of VSMCs showed that CGRP-modified MSCs could reduce VSMC proliferation and migration. The CGRP gene can be stably expressed in MSCs after CGRP recombinant lentivirus transfection. CGRP recombinant lentivirus transfection has little effect on the proliferation or senescence of MSCs, and CGRP-modified MSCs can inhibit the proliferation and migration of VSMCs. These results lay a foundation for research on the use of CGRP gene-engineered MSCs in restenosis therapy.