An acellular matrix-bound ligand enhances the mobilization, recruitment and therapeutic effects of circulating progenitor cells in a hindlimb ischemia model.

Circulating progenitor cells home to and engraft to sites of ischemia, mediated in part by the adhesion molecule L-selectin; however, accumulation in tissues such as the heart is low. In this study, an acellular collagen-based matrix containing sialyl Lewis(X) (sLe(X)), which binds L-selectin, was developed in order to enhance the endogenous progenitor cell therapeutic response. Its effect on progenitor cells and angiogenesis were assessed in vitro and using a hindlimb ischemia model with rats.