FEATURES OF THE CONTENT OF ENDOTHELIAL PROGENITOR CELLS IN UMBILICAL CORD BLOOD OF PRE-TERM AND FULL-TERM NEWBORNS

Abstract

The purpose of the study : determination of content of circulating endothelial cellsin umbilical cord blood in orderto assessthe regenerative potential of the endothelium in newborns. 29 newborn babies were examined: 18 pre-term infants (gestational age 30–35 weeks) and 11 full-term infants (gestational age 38–41 weeks). Determination of the number of circulating endothelial cells was determined in mixed umbilical cord blood of all children their phenotyping was carried out by cytofluorometry method using fluorochromes-labeled monoclonal antibodies. Circulating endothelial cells were defined as CD45–, CD133+, VEGFR2, CD34–, endothelial progenitor cells were defined as CD45–, CD133+, VEGFR2+, CD34+. It was revealed that in umbilical cord blood of pre-term infants was decreased both the total number of circulating endothelial cells and endothelial progenitor cells compared to full-term infants. Moreover, in preterm infants was observed higher percentage of endothelial progenitor cells, rather than mature endothelial cells. In blood of full-term infants was observed higher percentage of mature endothelial cells compared to endothelial progenitor cells and their number increases with increasing birth weight of the newborn. The decrease in the number of endothelial progenitor cells in pre-term infants is associated with impaired endothelial function. CD45–CD133+VEGFR2+CD34+ cells are involved in reparation of damaged endothelium and reduction in their number in the blood reflects the reduction of its regenerative potential.