Leech Extract Enhances the Pro-Angiogenic Effects of Endothelial Cell-Derived Exosomes in a Mouse Model of Ischemic Stroke
Basic science / preclinical published in Curr Issues Mol Biol (2025)
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Intercellular communication, facilitated by exosomes (Exos) derived from endothelial cells (ECs), significantly influences the regulation of angiogenesis. Leech extract significantly reduces ischemia-reperfusion injury, promotes angiogenesis, and improves neurological function in mice with stroke. However, further investigation is required to determine whether leech promotes angiogenesis through EC-Exo. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to further explore whether leech regulates Exos to promote the establishment of collateral circulation in mice with ischemic stroke (IS) and the specific mechanisms involved. METHODS: Here, we utilized an in vitro co-culture system comprising ECs and pericytes to investigate the impact of Leech-EC-Exo on enhancing the proliferation and migration of mouse brain microvascular pericytes (MBVPs). We further established an in vivo mouse model of middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) to investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of leech on collateral circulation establishment. RESULTS: The findings demonstrated that leech significantly enhanced the in vitro cell migration number and migration number of pericytes. Therefore, it can also enhance the effect of EC-Exo on improving the infarct area and gait of mice, as well as modulating the HIFα-VEGF-DLL4-Notch1 signaling pathway to promote cerebral angiogenesis and facilitating the stable maturation of neovascularization in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that leech has the potential to enhance collateral circulation establishment, and its mechanism may involve the modulation of miRNA content in Exos and the promotion of signaling pathways associated with angiogenesis and vascular maturation.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Резюме
Demonstrates leech extract enhances angiogenic effects of endothelial-cell-derived exosomes via HIFalpha-VEGF-DLL4-Notch1 signaling in a middle-cerebral-artery-occlusion mouse model. Improves infarct area, gait, and collateral-circulation maturation.
Почему это важно для гирудотерапии
This study investigated whether leech extract promotes angiogenesis by modulating endothelial cell-derived exosomes (EC-Exos), using both an in vitro co-culture system of endothelial cells and pericytes and an in vivo mouse middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model of ischemic stroke. Leech-enhanced EC-Exos increased pericyte proliferation and migration in vitro, reduced infarct area, improved gait, and promoted cerebral angiogenesis in vivo, with the authors implicating the HIFα-VEGF-DLL4-Notch1 signaling pathway and modulation of exosomal miRNA content. For ASH's domain, this provides preclinical evidence that leech-derived components may support neovascularization and collateral circulation, extending the relevance of the leech secretome beyond anticoagulation. The honest caveat is that this is a preclinical mouse and cell-culture study using a leech extract of unspecified composition; no specific leech-derived molecule is identified, no live leeches are applied therapeutically, and clinical relevance remains untested.
Цитирование
Leech Extract Enhances the Pro-Angiogenic Effects of Endothelial Cell-Derived Exosomes in a Mouse Model of Ischemic Stroke.
Cao Y et al. · Current issues in molecular biology, 2025
Связанный клинический контекст
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