Therapeutic angiogenesis by autologous transplantation of bone marrow mononuclear cells for peripheral artery disease

.Medical management of the acute radiation injury might be an important area to which the procedures of regeneration medicine and stem cell therapy could contribute, since organ stem cells might be targets of radiation injury. Furthermore, since the recovery of blood flow is an important factor in the restoration of many tissues, therapeutic angiogenesis is assumed to become essential treatment in this field. In 2003 we started a project of therapeutic angiogenesis by implantation of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells in conformity to the protocol of Therapeutic Angiogenesis Using Cell Transplantation trial, which treated patients with severe lower limb ischemia. Two cases of Buerger disease were treated and their symptoms were improved within 2–4 weeks after the transplantation. Angiography indicated that there emerged new blood vessels in patient's treated limb. Augmentation of blood flow was suggested by thermography in one case. In both cases, no serious adverse symptoms due to this treatment were observed. In the present trial, we could recognize effectiveness and safety of therapeutic angiogenesis. We need to improve the present procedure with introduction of evolving knowledge regarding mechanisms of physiological, pathological and utilizable therapeutic angiogenesis and should develop the best strategy of tissue regeneration medicine for victims of radiation exposure.