间充质干细胞在动脉粥样硬化治疗中的研究进展

动脉粥样硬化是一种病因复杂的血管壁慢性炎症性疾病。动脉粥样硬化及其相关并发症已成为人类死亡的主要原因，然而，其病因和发病机制尚未完全阐明，治疗效果还不满意。目前已经证实，动脉内皮细胞功能发生障碍是动脉粥样硬化的始动过程，内皮细胞功能失调和内皮细胞丢失是动脉粥样硬化症的主要特点；而血管平滑肌细胞的异常增生在动脉粥样硬化的发生发展中也扮演着重要角色。因此，探索有效措施促进有益的内皮细胞再生并抑制平滑肌细胞增生是血管损伤防治的关键。近年来有研究发现，体外输注的间充质干细胞能够向受损部位募集，并进一步分化为内皮细胞，修复损伤血管。然而，也有研究显示体外输注的间充质干细胞还可以分化为血管平滑肌细胞进而在血管局部增生，参与血管再狭窄的发生。文中综述了间充质干细胞输注对动脉粥样硬化发展的最新研究进展，希望为后续开展的用间充质干细胞治疗动脉粥样硬化的研究提供一定的参考。

Progress in mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease. However, its etiology has not been yet fully elucidated. Endothelial dysfunction is currently considered to be one of the most important steps in the initiation of atherosclerosis. In addition, vascular smooth muscle cells, which are the main cellular component of de novo and in-stent restenosis lesions, play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis. Promoting the regeneration of endothelial cells and inhibiting the proliferation of smooth muscle cells are pivotal for the prevention and treatment of vascular injury. Recently, some studies have demonstrated that mesenchymal stem cells can home to the site of injury and differentiate into endothelial cells to repair damaged blood vessels. On the contrary, other researches have revealed that mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate into vascular smooth muscle cells that are involved in the development of restenosis. Here, we review the fundamental researches of mesenchymal stem cell therapy for atherosclerosis and address the perspectives of mesenchymal stem cells in atherosclerosis treatment.