Circulating Stem Cells Associate With Adiposity and Future Metabolic Deterioration in Healthy Subjects

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Metabolic Syndrome Research
• Stem Cell Biology

Background:

• Obesity and metabolic syndrome are linked to mild leukocytosis.
• The role of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) in metabolic deterioration remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between CD34(+) HSPCs, adiposity, and metabolic syndrome features.
• To explore the relationship between stem cell counts and metabolic health markers.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of 242 participants and longitudinal assessment of 155 participants.
• Participants were healthy individuals attending a cardiovascular screening program.
• Collected data included demographic, anthropometric, cardiovascular risk factors, and metabolic syndrome parameters; baseline circulating CD34(+) cell counts were measured.

Main Results:

• Cross-sectionally, absolute CD34(+) cell counts correlated with higher body mass index, waist circumference, and metabolic syndrome presence; inversely with HDL cholesterol and insulin sensitivity.
• Longitudinally, high absolute CD34(+) cell levels predicted increasing waist circumference, declining insulin sensitivity and HDL cholesterol, and metabolic syndrome incidence over 6.3 years.
• Relative CD34(+) cell counts showed weaker but significant longitudinal associations with increased waist circumference and metabolic syndrome development.

Conclusions:

• Elevated circulating CD34(+) progenitor cells, indicating HSPC expansion, are associated with adiposity.
• These elevated HSPCs are linked to future metabolic deterioration in otherwise healthy individuals.
• HSPCs may play a significant role in the development of metabolic dysfunction.