Mobilization Of Endothelial Progenitors Research Articles

Mobilization of progenitor cells into peripheral blood by gamma-tocotrienol: A promising radiation countermeasure

Gamma-tocotrienol (GT3), a vitamin E isoform, is shown to induce high levels of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) in mice. G-CSF is a key cytokine used for stimulation of hematopoiesis, and mobilization of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells into peripheral blood. GT3 is also shown to induce vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), another important cytokine necessary for vasculogenesis and endothelial progenitor mobilization. Since GT3 induces both these cytokines, we tested whether GT3 mobilizes hematopoietic and endothelial progenitors in mice. GT3 (200mg/kg) was injected in 10-week-old CD2F1 mice and mobilization of progenitors in peripheral blood was analyzed at 24, 48, and 72h post-administration. Circulating hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs, Lin−, cKit+), endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs, Lin−, CD34+, Flk+), and stromal progenitor cells (SPCs, Lin−, CD29+, CD105+) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were analyzed simultaneously by flow cytometry. Mobilized HPCs, EPCs and SPCs in PBMC were also measured by colony-forming unit (CFU) assay in progenitor-specific media. Three groups of mice received vehicle, GT3 and GT3 plus AMD3100, a receptor antagonist used to enhance mobilization. GT3 induced significant mobilization of all three progenitor cell types compared to vehicle in peripheral blood; AMD3100 enhanced GT3-induced mobilization even further. Mobilization of progenitor cells in peripheral blood by GT3 indicates that GT3 can be used as an alternative to G-CSF and VGEF to mobilize HPCs and EPCs.

Mobilization of Endothelial Progenitors by Recurrent Bacteremias with a Periodontal Pathogen

BackgroundPeriodontal infections are independent risk factors for atherosclerosis. However, the exact mechanisms underlying this link are yet unclear. Here, we evaluate the in vivo effects of bacteremia with a periodontal pathogen on endothelial progenitors, bone marrow-derived cells capable of endothelial regeneration, and delineate the critical pathways for these effects.Methods12-week old C57bl6 wildtype or toll-like receptor (TLR)-2 deficient mice were repeatedly intravenously challenged with 109 live P. gingivalis 381 or vehicle. Numbers of Sca1+/flk1+ progenitors, circulating angiogenic cells, CFU-Hill, and late-outgrowth EPC were measured by FACS/culture. Endothelial function was assessed using isolated organ baths, reendothelization was measured in a carotid injury model. RANKL/osteoprotegerin levels were assessed by ELISA/qPCR.ResultsIn wildtype mice challenged with intravenous P.gingivalis, numbers of Sca1+/flk1+ progenitors, CAC, CFU-Hill, and late-outgrowth EPC were strongly increased in peripheral circulation and spleen, whereas Sca1+/flk1+ progenitor numbers in bone marrow decreased. Circulating EPCs were functional, as indicated by improved endothelial function and improved reendothelization in infected mice. The osteoprotegerin/RANKL ratio was increased after P. gingivalis challenge in the bone marrow niche of wildtype mice and late-outgrowth EPC in vitro. Conversely, in mice deficient in TLR2, no increase in progenitor mobilization or osteoprotegerin/RANKL ratio was detected.ConclusionRecurrent transient bacteremias, a feature of periodontitis, increase peripheral EPC counts and decrease EPC pools in the bone marrow, thereby possibly reducing overall endothelial regeneration capacity, conceivably explaining pro-atherogenic properties of periodontal infections. These effects are seemingly mediated by toll-like receptor (TLR)-2.

Hemopoietic and angiogenetic progenitors in healthy athletes: different responses to endurance and maximal exercise

The effects of endurance or maximal exercise on mobilization of bone marrow-derived hemopoietic and angiogenetic progenitors in healthy subjects are poorly defined. In 10 healthy amateur runners, we collected venous blood before, at the end of, and the day after a marathon race (n = 9), and before and at the end of a 1.5-km field test (n = 8), and measured hemopoietic and angiogenetic progenitors by flow cytometry and culture assays, as well as plasma or serum concentrations of several cytokines/growth factors. After the marathon, CD34(+) cells were unchanged, whereas clonogenetic assays showed decreased number of colonies for both erythropoietic (BFU-E) and granulocyte-monocyte (CFU-GM) series, returning to baseline the morning post-race. Conversely, CD34(+) cells, BFU-E, and CFU-GM increased after the field test. Angiogenetic progenitors, assessed as CD34(+)KDR(+) and CD133(+)VE-cadherin(+) cells or as adherent cells in culture expressing endothelial markers, increased after both endurance and maximal exercise but showed a different pattern between protocols. Interleukin-6 increased more after the marathon than after the field test, whereas hepatocyte growth factor and stem cell factor increased similarly in both protocols. Plasma levels of angiopoietin (Ang) 1 and 2 increased after both types of exercise, whereas the Ang-1-to-Ang-2 ratio or vascular endothelial growth factor-A were little affected. These data suggest that circulating hemopoietic progenitors may be utilized in peripheral tissues during prolonged endurance exercise. Endothelial progenitor mobilization after exercise in healthy trained subjects appears modulated by the type of exercise. Exercise-induced increase in growth factors suggests a physiological trophic effect of exercise on the bone marrow.

Adrenomedullin antagonist suppresses tumor formation in renal cell carcinoma through inhibitory effects on tumor endothelial cells and endothelial progenitor mobilization

Adrenomedullin (AM) is a multifunctional 52-amino acid peptide. AM has several effects and acts as a growth factor in several types of cancer cells. Our previous study revealed that an AM antagonist (AMA) suppressed the growth of pancreatic tumors in mice, although its mechanism was not elucidated. In this study, we constructed an AMA expression vector and used it to treat renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in mice. This AMA expression vector significantly reduced tumor growth in mice. In addition, microvessel density was decreased in AMA-treated tumors. To analyze the effect of AMA on tumor angiogenesis in this model, tumor endothelial cells (TECs) were isolated from RCC xenografts. TEC proliferation was stimulated by AM and it was inhibited by AMA significantly. AM induced migration of TECs and it was also blocked by AMA. However, normal ECs (NECs) were not affected by either AM or AMA. These results demonstrate that AMA has inhibitory effects on TECs specifically, not on NEC, thereby inhibiting tumor angiogenesis. Furthermore, we showed that vascular endothelial growth factor-induced mobilization of endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) into circulation was inhibited by AMA. These results suggest that AMA can be considered a good anti-angiogenic reagent that selectively targets TECs and EPC in renal cancer.

Abstract 1446: Central Role of Calcium-Dependent Tyrosine Kinase PYK2 in eNOS-Mediated Vascular Function and Angiogenic Response -Unmasked by PYK2 Knockout Mice-

Background: Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is activated by PI3-kinase/Akt or Ca 2+ -dependent CaM kinases, whereas the involvement of Ca 2+ -dependent tyrosine kinase PYK2 remains to be determined. Methods and Results: We newly generated the PYK2-deficient (−/−) mice and investigated the effects of PYK2 on NO-mediated vascular functions and angiogenic response. The PYK2−/− mice exhibited a significant reduction in the basal eNOS phosphorylation and VEGF- or Acetylcholin-mediated response in the aorta and aortic endothelial cells (ECs) compared with the wild-type mice, and blood flow recovery and neovessel formation after hindlimb ischemia were reduced with affecting mobilization of endothelial progenitors. Acetylcholin-mediated aortic vasorelaxation and cGMP production were decreased (54% and 44%, P<0.01, respectively) and blood pressure in the PYK2−/− mice is higher than the wild-type mice (mean 97 vs. 86 mmHg, P<0.05). In the PYK2−/− mice, VEGF-mediated Akt phosphorylation, NO production and cytoplasmic Ca 2+ mobilization were markedly decreased. And also the phosphorylation of c-Src and PLCγ1, interaction of c-Src/PLCγ1 were clearly reduced. VEGF-dependent migration, tube formation and actin cytoskeletal reorganization were markedly inhibited in PYK2−/− ECs, while addition of L-arginine or cGMP-dependent kinase activator reversed the attenuated response. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that PYK2 is involved in the receptor-activated signaling events leading to the phosphorylation of eNOS and thus regulates eNOS-mediated vasoactive function and angiogenesis.