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Adventitial progenitor cells contribute to arteriosclerosis.
Evelyn Torsney1, Yanhua Hu, Qingbo Xu
1Department of Cardiac and Vascular Sciences, St George's Hospital Medical School, SW17 0RE London, UK.
Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine
|May 12, 2005
Summary
Vascular progenitor cells in the arterial adventitia can differentiate and migrate to form smooth muscle cells. These cells contribute to the development of arteriosclerosis and may offer new therapeutic strategies for vascular disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Vascular Cell Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Arteriosclerosis involves vascular progenitor cells in various conditions like transplant arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis.
- The arterial adventitia harbors progenitor cells capable of smooth muscle cell differentiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of adventitial progenitor cells in the development of vascular diseases.
- To explore the potential of these cells in contributing to atherosclerotic lesions.
Main Methods:
- Identification and characterization of progenitor cells in the arterial adventitia.
- In vitro and in vivo differentiation studies.
- Migration assays from adventitia to intima in mouse models (apoE-deficient mice).
Main Results:
- Adventitial progenitor cells differentiate into smooth muscle cells.
- These cells migrate from the adventitia to the intima.
- Accumulation of these cells contributes to atherosclerotic lesions in vein grafts.
Conclusions:
- Adventitial progenitor cells are a significant source of smooth muscle cells in the arterial wall.
- These findings have implications for cellular, genetic, and tissue engineering in treating vascular diseases.