Circulating CD34+ cell subsets in patients with coronary endothelial dysfunction
Barry A Boilson1, Thomas J Kiernan, Adriana Harbuzariu
1Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Insights
Reduced circulating CD34+ progenitor cells, including specific subsets like CD34+/CD45(dim)/VEGFR2- cells, are linked to coronary endothelial dysfunction. These changes may signal early atherosclerosis development.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Cell Biology
- Atherosclerosis Research
Background:
- Endothelial dysfunction is an early sign of atherosclerosis.
- Circulating CD34+ cells, including progenitor cells, may influence atherosclerosis progression.
- This study investigates the link between coronary endothelial dysfunction and circulating CD34+ cell subsets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the association between coronary endothelial dysfunction and circulating CD34+ cell subsets.
- To identify specific CD34+ cell subsets altered in patients with endothelial dysfunction.
- To explore the potential of these cell changes as early markers of atherosclerosis.
Main Methods:
- Coronary endothelial function assessed via intracoronary acetylcholine challenge in 57 patients.
- Mononuclear cells analyzed by flow cytometry for CD14, CD34, CD133, CD45, and VEGFR2.
- Functional analysis of cultured cells, including colony-forming unit assays.
Main Results:
- Patients with coronary endothelial dysfunction showed reduced numbers of circulating CD34+/CD45(dim)/VEGFR2- cells and CD34+/CD45(dim)/CD133+/VEGFR2- cells.
- Reduced colony-forming units were observed in patients with endothelial dysfunction.
- No significant difference in CD34+/CD45-/VEGFR2+ cell concentrations between groups.
Conclusions:
- Circulating CD34+ cell subset regulation differs between patients with and without coronary endothelial dysfunction.
- Specific changes in circulating progenitor cell subsets may represent an early manifestation of atherosclerosis.
- These findings highlight the potential role of progenitor cell alterations in the early stages of atherosclerotic disease.
Background:
Endothelial dysfunction is an early manifestation of atherosclerotic disease. Circulating cells that express CD34, including endothelial and hematopoietic progenitor cells, might play a part in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between coronary endothelial dysfunction and concentrations of circulating CD34+ cell subsets.
Methods:
Intracoronary acetylcholine challenge was used to test for coronary endothelial dysfunction in 57 consecutive patients scheduled to undergo diagnostic coronary angiography and with no signs of substantial obstructive lesions. Mononuclear cells were extracted from whole blood samples taken from all patients, analyzed by flow cytometry for CD14, CD34, CD133, CD45, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), and cultured for functional analysis.
Results:
Compared with patients with normal coronary endothelial function, in those with coronary endothelial dysfunction, the number of circulating CD34+/CD45(dim)/VEGFR2- cells, CD34+/CD45(dim)/CD133+/VEGFR2- cells and colony-forming units were reduced. Concentrations of CD34+/CD45-/VEGFR2+ cells did not differ between groups.
Conclusions:
Regulation of CD34+ cell subsets seems to differ between patients with coronary endothelial dysfunction and those with normal coronary endothelial function. Changes in specific circulating progenitor cell subsets might, therefore, be an early manifestation of atherosclerosis.
