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Different populations of circulating endothelial cells in patients with age-related macular degeneration: a novel
Anna Machalinska1, Krzysztof Safranow, Violetta Dziedziejko
1Department of Histology and Embryology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
Insights
Patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) show increased circulating endothelial cells (CECs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). High endothelin-1 (ET-1) expression in AMD suggests a role in disease development.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Endothelial dysfunction is implicated in various vascular diseases.
- Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are potential biomarkers of endothelial health.
- Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor with roles in vascular remodeling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the levels of CECs and EPCs in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
- To examine the expression and clinical significance of ET-1 in AMD.
- To correlate endothelial cell populations with key cytokines and growth factors involved in endothelial function.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to quantify CECs (CD133(-)CD144(+)) and EPCs (CD34(+)CD133(+)CD144(+)) in peripheral blood.
- Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blot, and immunocytofluorescence assays assessed intracellular ET-1 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBNCs).
- Plasma concentrations of ET-1, IGF-1, VEGF, SDF-1, and HGF were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.
Main Results:
- AMD patients exhibited significantly higher counts of CECs and EPCs compared to healthy controls.
- Intracellular ET-1 expression was markedly elevated in PBNCs of AMD patients.
- Plasma analysis revealed significantly higher IGF-1 and lower SDF-1 levels in the AMD group.
Conclusions:
- Elevated CECs and EPCs, coupled with increased ET-1, may contribute to the pathogenesis of neovascular AMD.
- These findings highlight potential diagnostic or therapeutic targets for AMD.
- Further research into the underlying mechanisms is warranted for potential treatment strategies.
Purpose:
Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) may serve as novel markers of endothelial dysfunction. The presence and clinical implications of CECs and the expression of endothelin (ET)-1, one of the most potent vasoconstrictors, have not been evaluated in patients with the neovascular form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This study was conducted to determine the different populations of endothelial cells (ECs) in the peripheral blood of AMD patients and to correlate these findings with the expression of ET-1 and the cytokines and growth factors responsible for EC migration and function.
Methods:
Peripheral blood samples were collected from 29 patients with diagnosed neovascular AMD and from 38 healthy control subjects. CD133(-)CD144(+) CECs and CD34(+)CD133(+)CD144(+) EPCs were counted and analyzed by flow cytometry. The intracellular expression of ET-1 in peripheral blood nuclear cells (PBNCs) was studied by using qRT-PCR, Western blot, and immunocytofluorescence assays, and ET-1, IGF-1, VEGF, SDF-1, and HGF plasma concentrations were measured in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.
Results:
Increased CECs and EPCs were found in the AMD patients compared with the counts in healthy individuals. The expression of intracellular ET-1 was significantly elevated in PBNCs from the AMD patients compared with the control subjects. In addition a significantly higher plasma concentration of IGF-1 was observed, but a lower SDF-1 level in the group of AMD patients.
Conclusions:
These findings suggest that circulating endothelial cells, together with high ET-1 content, may contribute to the development of AMD. Further prospective investigations on the mechanism involved may be relevant to the potential treatment of this disease.
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