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Isolation of Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells from Neonatal Mice
Published on: October 19, 2013
Endothelial colony-forming cells from preterm infants are increased and more susceptible to hyperoxia
Christopher D Baker1, Sharon L Ryan, David A Ingram
1Pediatric Heart Lung Center, University of Colorado, Denver School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. christopher.baker@uchsc.edu
Insights
Preterm infants have more endothelial progenitor cells (ECFCs) that grow faster, but they are vulnerable to hyperoxia. Antioxidants can protect these vital cells in premature babies.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal research
- Vascular biology
- Stem cell science
Background:
- Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease linked to preterm birth and hyperoxia.
- Endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) are crucial for vascular repair.
- The impact of hyperoxia on ECFCs, particularly from preterm infants, is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if umbilical cord blood from premature infants contains more ECFCs with higher growth potential.
- To determine the susceptibility of preterm ECFCs to hyperoxia.
Main Methods:
- Quantified ECFC colonies from preterm and term umbilical cord blood.
- Assessed ECFC growth kinetics in room air and hyperoxia (40% oxygen).
- Characterized ECFCs using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry.
Main Results:
- Preterm cord blood yielded significantly more ECFCs than term cord blood.
- Preterm ECFCs exhibited increased growth compared to term ECFCs.
- Hyperoxia impaired preterm ECFC growth, but not term ECFCs; antioxidants mitigated this effect.
Conclusions:
- Preterm infants have more numerous and faster-proliferating ECFCs.
- Preterm ECFCs are more susceptible to hyperoxic injury.
- Antioxidant treatment protects preterm ECFCs from hyperoxia, suggesting a therapeutic avenue.
Rationale:
Preterm birth and hyperoxic exposure increase the risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a chronic lung disease characterized by impaired vascular and alveolar growth. Endothelial progenitor cells, such as self-renewing highly proliferative endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs), may participate in vascular repair. The effect of hyperoxia on ECFC growth is unknown.
Objectives:
We hypothesize that umbilical cord blood (CB) from premature infants contains more ECFCs with greater growth potential than term CB. However, preterm ECFCs may be more susceptible to hyperoxia.
Methods:
ECFC colonies were quantified by established methods and characterized by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Growth kinetics were assessed in room air and hyperoxia (FI(O(2)) = 0.4).
Measurements And Main Results:
Preterm CB (28-35 wk gestation) yielded significantly more ECFC colonies than term CB. Importantly, we found that CD45(-)/CD34(+)/CD133(+)/VEGFR-2(+) cell number did not correlate with ECFC colony count. Preterm ECFCs demonstrated increased growth compared with term ECFCs. Hyperoxia impaired growth of preterm but not term ECFCs. Treatment with superoxide dismutase and catalase enhanced preterm ECFC growth during hyperoxia.
Conclusions:
Preterm ECFCs appear in increased numbers and proliferate more rapidly but have an increased susceptibility to hyperoxia compared with term ECFCs. Antioxidants protect preterm ECFCs from hyperoxia.
