In vitro assessment of the effect of interleukin-1β on angiogenic potential of bone marrow cells

Background Therapeutic angiogenesis for ischemic diseases has been successfully induced by the implantation of autologous bone marrow cells (BMCs). It is understood that interleukin (IL)-1 beta increases remarkably in ischemic tissue and has particular effects on angiogenesis. Thus, it is important to clarify how IL-1 beta would effect BMCs survival and angiogenic potential. Methods and Results The effect of IL-1 beta on BMCs survival, adhesion, and endothelial differentiation, as well as the production of angiogenic growth factors, was investigated using an in vitro assessment approach. BMCs were harvested from Zucker obese rats and cultured at a density of 3x10(6) cells/ml with 5 ng/ml IL-1 beta (IL-1 beta group) or without IL-1 beta (control group). Survival and adhesion of BMCs were significantly increased in the IL-1 beta group than in the control group after 1, 3, and 7 days of culture (p < 0.01). The release of vascular endothelial growth factor in supernatant was also significantly higher in the IL-1 beta group than in the control group after 3 and 7 days of culture (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the number of differentiated endothelial cells derived from BMCs was significantly higher in the IL-1 beta group than in the control group after 7 days of culture (p < 0.01). Conclusions These results suggest that IL-1 beta has a positive effect on the angiogenic potential of BMCs in vitro.