Neural Peptide α-CGRP Coregulated Angiogenesis and Osteogenesis via Promoting the Cross-Talk between Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Endothelial Cells

Background: The coupled vascularization and bone remodeling are key steps during bone healing, during which the cross-talk between mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and endothelial cells plays vital roles. Evidence indicates the well-characterized neuropeptide Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide-α (CGRP) is proven to play an important role during bone regeneration. However, the regulatory effects of αCGRP on angiogenesis and osteogenesis, as well as underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms, remain unclear.

Aim: The present study was performed to verify the availability of the CGRP for osteogenic capacity in MSCs and explore its potential underlying molecular mechanism. After that, the promoted angiogenic effect of CGRP as well as its underlying mechanisms was studied.

Methods and results: The results showed that CGRP could significantly increase the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) level and promote the osteogenesis ability of MSCs via cAMP/PKA signaling pathway. Direct exposure to CGRP increased nitric oxide synthase expression, the release of NO, tube formation, and wound healing of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The CGRP-treated MSCs were observed with high expression levels of angiogenic factors, such as bFGF and VEGF-α; the conditioned medium derived from CGRP-treated MSCs was also able to promote tube formation and transmembrane migration of HUVECs.

Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the coregulated angiogenesis and osteogenesis effects of CGRP, especially for its regulation effects on the cross-talk between mesenchymal stem cells and endothelial cells.