Transplantation of Human Amniotic Mesenchymal Stem Cells Up-Regulates Angiogenic Factor Expression to Attenuate Diabetic Kidney Disease in Rats

Yu Ni,1,* Yuqin Chen,2,* Xuheng Jiang,3 Tao Pu,1 Ling Zhang,4 Shaobin Li,2 Linhong Hu,1 Bing Bai,1 Tingting Hu,1 Limei Yu,2 Yibin Yang1,2 1Department of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563003, People’s Republic of China; 2Key Laboratory of Cell Engineering of Guizhou Province, Zunyi City, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563003, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Emergency, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563003, People’s Republic of China; 4Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai, 519041, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Limei Yu, Department of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563003, People’s Republic of China, Email ylm720@sina.com Yibin Yang, Key Laboratory of Cell Engineering of Guizhou Province, Zunyi City, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563003, People’s Republic of China, Email yyb1011@sina.comBackground and Aims: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a prevalent and intractable microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), the process of which is closely related to abnormal expression of angiogenesis-regulating factors (ARFs). Stem cell transplantation might be a novel strategy for treating DKD. This study aims to explore the effect of transplantation of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) on renal microangiopathy in a type 1 DKD rat model (T1DRM).Methods: Seventy-two rats were randomly divided into three groups, including normal control group, DKD group, and hAMSCs transplantation group. T1DRM was established using a rat tail vein injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (55 mg/kg). hAMSCs were obtained from placental amniotic membranes during cesarean delivery and transplanted at 3 and 4 weeks through penile veins. At 6, 8, and 12 weeks following transplantation, blood glucose levels, renal function