Gene expression profiles of endothelial progenitor cells by oligonucleotide microarray analysis

Area of Science:

• * Molecular Biology
• * Stem Cell Research
• * Vascular Biology

Background:

• * Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a crucial role in vascular biology and embryology.
• * EPCs hold therapeutic potential for postnatal diseases like cardiovascular disorders, peripheral vascular disorders, and cancer.
• * Characterizing EPCs at a molecular level is essential for understanding their function and therapeutic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To provide comprehensive information on the gene expression profile of EPCs.
• * To identify key genes involved in EPC function and survival.
• * To characterize EPCs derived from CD34-positive mononuclear cells of human umbilical cord blood in molecular terms.

Main Methods:

• * Purification and expansion of EPCs from human umbilical cord blood.
• * Analysis of gene expression using high-density oligonucleotide microarrays.
• * Validation of gene expression using real-time RT-PCR and in situ hybridization.

Main Results:

• * Identified 169 up-regulated and 107 down-regulated genes in EPCs compared to differentiated endothelial cells (HUVEC, LMEC, AoEC).
• * Found increased expression of Syk and galectin-3 in EPCs, suggesting their importance in EPC function.
• * Demonstrated expression of identified genes in fetal liver during mouse development, indicating their role in vasculogenesis.

Conclusions:

• * The identified gene list provides critical insights into EPC function, survival, and potential therapeutic targets.
• * Syk and galectin-3 are highlighted as key genes with higher expression in EPCs.
• * These findings support the potential of EPCs in therapeutic strategies for diseases involving de novo vasculogenesis.