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Increased circulating inflammatory endothelial cells in blacks with essential hypertension
Alfonso Eirin1, Xiang-Yang Zhu, John R Woollard
1Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979)
|June 27, 2013
Summary
Black patients with essential hypertension have higher levels of inflammatory endothelial cells (IECs) and inflammatory markers, potentially impairing endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) repair and worsening vascular damage compared to white patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Vascular Biology
- Hypertension Research
Background:
- Essential hypertension (EH) disproportionately affects Black individuals, leading to higher morbidity and mortality.
- Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are crucial for vascular integrity, while inflammatory endothelial cells (IECs) indicate vascular damage.
- Differential effects on vascular injury and repair may explain disparities in hypertension outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in circulating inflammatory endothelial cells (IECs) and inflammatory markers between Black and White essential hypertensive (EH) patients.
- To explore the relationship between IECs, endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), and inflammatory markers in EH.
- To understand potential mechanisms underlying racial disparities in hypertension-related vascular complications.
Main Methods:
- Fluorescence-activated cell sorting was used to quantify CD34+/KDR+ (EPC) and VAP-1+ (IEC) cells in renal and inferior vena cava blood.
- Luminex assays measured inflammatory cytokines and EPC homing factors in renal vein and inferior vena cava blood.
- Comparisons were made between Black EH, White EH, and normotensive control subjects under controlled conditions.
Main Results:
- Circulating IEC levels were significantly elevated in Black EH patients compared to White EH patients.
- IEC levels were inversely correlated with EPC levels in EH patients (R(2)=0.58; P=0.0001).
- Black EH patients exhibited higher systemic levels of inflammatory cytokines and EPC homing factors, directly correlating with IEC levels.
Conclusions:
- Elevated IECs and inflammatory cytokines in Black EH patients may compromise EPC reparative capacity.
- These factors may contribute to increased vascular damage and accelerated hypertension-related complications in Black individuals.
- Findings suggest a potential mechanism for racial disparities in hypertension outcomes.
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