Abstract 239: Stem Cell Therapy Improves Critical Limb Ischemia
Authors: Marzouk Alaa 
Published: July 2021

Introduction:
The journey from single cell to complex being is attributable to stem cells role. Adult stem cells originate during ontogeny & persist in specialized niches within organs. Asymmetric division of each stem cell during differentiation produces : one daughter stem cell & one daughter transit amplifying/intermediate cell having migratory properties. Forced migration of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPC) from bone marrow into peripheral blood is called mobilization.

Accumulating evidence suggests that attenuation of the chemokine stromal derived factor-1(SDF-1)-CXCR4 axis that plays a pivotal role in retention of HSPC in bone marrow (BM) results in the release of these cells from the BM into peripheral blood. Recently, adult cells have been genetically reprogrammed to an embryonic stem cell like state. Induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs) were similar to human embryonic stem cells in morphology, proliferative capacity, expression of cell surface antigens, & gene expression. Treatment of ischemic vascular disease of lower limbs remains a significant challenge. Unfortunately, if medical & surgical salvage procedures fail, amputation is an unavoidable result for those patients.

Aim of Work:
(Hypothesis) To assess the application of implantation of autologous stem/progenitor cell in the treatment of chronic limb ischemia & to evaluate the safety, efficacy & feasibility of this novel therapeutic approach.

Methods:
A total of 24 patients with chronic limb ischemia not eligible for arterial reconstruction or endovascular procedures were enrolled & randomized (1:1) to either the implanted group or the control group. Control group: Conventional medical therapy in the form of anti platelet therapy & vasodilators. Implanted group: Subcutaneous injection of 300μ g/day of recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) for 5 days to mobilize stem/progenitor cells from BM. Total leucocytic count is measured daily to follow up successful mobilization of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs). Stem cell Harvesting After 5 days peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) were harvested using a cell separator. Samples from apheresis products are subjected to TLC measurement & immunophenotypic characterization of CD34+ cells by flow cytometry. The collected PBMNCs were implanted by multiple intramuscular injections into ischemic limbs.

Results:
There was significant increase in pain free walking distance & ankle/brachial index (ABI) & significant decreased rest pain. Effectiveness was documented by : reduced number of amputation, increase ABI & improvement of the quality of life in therapeutic group compared to control group.

Conclusion:
The novel therapeutic approach of PBMNCs implantation in patients with chronic limb ischemia is safe, feasible & effective in decreasing co-morbidity & rate of amputation. Safety was manifested by absence of complications during G-CSF therapy or during harvesting & injection of the stem cells.

Recommendations:

1- Future studies on larger number of patients & longer follow up.
2- Controlled studies using different methods & different cell population (PBMNCs, BMMNCs or MSCs) to compare the outcome of each.
3-Studing the role of endothelial progenitor cell dysfunction in different ischemic diseases to develop successful gene therapy.