We aimed to investigate whether the mesenchymal stem cell-endothelial cell crosstalk enhances angiogenic factor expression via nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) dependent mechanisms.Human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs) and stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs) were co-cultured for 96 h, in the presence of NF-κB decoy oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) or scramble (control). Vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF) and phospho-NF-κB p65 were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Angiogenesis-related gene expression was analyzed with microarray analysis followed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Tube formation assay was conducted in the presence of NF-κB decoy.The VEGF and phospho-NF-κB p65 levels were significantly higher in the co-culture with NF-κB decoy scramble than in single-culture and co-culture with NF-κB decoy ODN. Microarray analysis of SHEDs and HDMECs with NF-κB decoy scramble showed higher expression of proangiogenic genes, Bcl-2, NF-κB1, VEGFA, CXCL8, and CXCR1 and lower expression of proapoptotic genes, Bax and Caspase 9, compared to cells with NF-κB decoy ODN. Real-time PCR results for Bcl-2 and CXCL8 showed a similar trend. Tube formation assay showed more tube development in the presence of NF-κB decoy scramble.The SHED-HDMEC crosstalk enhanced proangiogenic factor expression via NF-κB dependent pathways.
