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Hypoxic regulation of mesenchymal stem cell migration: the role of RhoA and HIF‐1α
Author(s) -
Raheja Leah F.,
Genetos Damian C.,
Wong Alice,
Yellowley Clare E.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
cell biology international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.932
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1095-8355
pISSN - 1065-6995
DOI - 10.1042/cbi20100733
Subject(s) - rhoa , mesenchymal stem cell , microbiology and biotechnology , hypoxia (environmental) , oxygen tension , cell migration , small gtpase , progenitor cell , rac1 , chemistry , stem cell , cell , biology , signal transduction , biochemistry , oxygen , organic chemistry
A variety of pathologies such as skeletal fracture, neoplasia and inflammation compromise tissue perfusion and thereby decrease tissue oxygen tension. We and others have demonstrated that hypoxia is a potent stimulant for MSC (mesenchymal stem cell) recruitment and differentiation, yet to date little research has focused on the effects of oxygen tension on MSC migration. In the present study, we examined the effects of hypoxia and the potential role of the GTPase RhoA and HIF‐1α (hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α) on MSC migration. Our results demonstrate that hypoxia decreases MSC migration through an HIF‐1α and RhoA‐mediated pathway. The active GTP‐bound form of RhoA was reduced in 1% oxygen, whereas activation of RhoA under hypoxic conditions rescued migration. Furthermore, stabilization of HIF‐1α under normoxic conditions attenuated cell migration similar to that of hypoxia. These results suggest that hypoxia negatively affects MSC migration by regulating activation of GTPases. These results highlight the importance of oxygen in regulating the recruitment of progenitor cells to areas of ischaemic tissue damage.