OBJECTIVE: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are implicated as an important marker of endothelial function and cardiovascular risk. In the present study, we examined whether high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol plays a role in the peripheral EPC levels and its underlying mechanisms in the HDL cholesterol-induced elevation of EPCs. METHODS: For the clinical study, vascular risk factors and blood markers were measured and EPC colony forming units were counted after 7 days of culture. For the in vitro study, after 7 days of culture, EPCs were incubated in the presence or absence of HDL for 24h followed by measurements of eNOS and pro-MMP-9 expression and caspase-3 activity. RESULTS: EPC colony levels significantly correlated with HDL levels (P=0.017). HDL treatment significantly increased eNOS protein expression in EPCs (P<0.001) while it significantly decreased pro-MMP-9 levels at the concentration of 50 microg/mL (P=0.002). Homocysteine treatment significantly increased caspase-3 activity whereas HDL significantly decreased it as compared to the homocysteine-only treated group. INTERPRETATION: The data demonstrate that EPC colony levels are significantly lower in individuals with low HDL and that HDL increases eNOS and decreases pro-MMP-9 in EPCs. HDL also prevents EPC apoptosis through inhibition of caspase-3 activity suggesting a possible mechanism for its positive effects on circulating EPC numbers.
OBJECTIVE: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are implicated as an important marker of endothelial function and cardiovascular risk. In the present study, we examined whether high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol plays a role in the peripheral EPC levels and its underlying mechanisms in the HDL cholesterol-induced elevation of EPCs. METHODS: For the clinical study, vascular risk factors and blood markers were measured and EPC colony forming units were counted after 7 days of culture. For the in vitro study, after 7 days of culture, EPCs were incubated in the presence or absence of HDL for 24h followed by measurements of eNOS and pro-MMP-9 expression and caspase-3 activity. RESULTS: EPC colony levels significantly correlated with HDL levels (P=0.017). HDL treatment significantly increased eNOS protein expression in EPCs (P<0.001) while it significantly decreased pro-MMP-9 levels at the concentration of 50 microg/mL (P=0.002). Homocysteine treatment significantly increased caspase-3 activity whereas HDL significantly decreased it as compared to the homocysteine-only treated group. INTERPRETATION: The data demonstrate that EPC colony levels are significantly lower in individuals with low HDL and that HDL increases eNOS and decreases pro-MMP-9 in EPCs. HDL also prevents EPC apoptosis through inhibition of caspase-3 activity suggesting a possible mechanism for its positive effects on circulating EPC numbers.
Authors: Nathan T Jenkins; Sarah Witkowski; Espen E Spangenburg; James M Hagberg Journal: Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol Date: 2009-08-28 Impact factor: 4.733
Authors: Christian Besler; Kathrin Heinrich; Lucia Rohrer; Carola Doerries; Meliana Riwanto; Diana M Shih; Angeliki Chroni; Keiko Yonekawa; Sokrates Stein; Nicola Schaefer; Maja Mueller; Alexander Akhmedov; Georgios Daniil; Costantina Manes; Christian Templin; Christophe Wyss; Willibald Maier; Felix C Tanner; Christian M Matter; Roberto Corti; Clement Furlong; Aldons J Lusis; Arnold von Eckardstein; Alan M Fogelman; Thomas F Lüscher; Ulf Landmesser Journal: J Clin Invest Date: 2011-06-23 Impact factor: 14.808
Authors: Roberto S Moreira; Maria C Irigoyen; Jose M C Capcha; Talita R Sanches; Paulo S Gutierrez; Margoth R Garnica; Irene de L Noronha; Lucia Andrade Journal: Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol Date: 2020-01-22 Impact factor: 3.619