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Accumulation of Multipotent Progenitor Cells on Polymethylpentene Membranes During Extracorporeal Membrane
Karla Lehle1, Lucas Friedl1, Julius Wilm1
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, University Medical Center, Regensburg, Germany.
Insights
Multipotent progenitor cells adhere to polymethylpentene (PMP) membrane oxygenator (MO) fibers during adult extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). These cells differentiate into endothelial-like and mesenchymal-like cells, suggesting a role in ECMO device-related cellular processes.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cell Biology
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) demonstrates mobilization of multipotent progenitor cells.
- The behavior of these cells on polymethylpentene (PMP) fibers within membrane oxygenators (MOs) during adult ECMO is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the adherence and characteristics of cells on PMP fibers within explanted adult ECMO membrane oxygenators.
- To identify potential progenitor cell populations interacting with MOs during ECMO support.
Main Methods:
- Mononuclear cells were isolated from explanted PMP-MOs (n=16).
- Cells were cultured long-term, and outgrowth was analyzed via flow cytometry for surface markers.
- Characterization included assessment of proliferative activity and functional assays like Dil-acetylated low-density lipoprotein uptake.
Main Results:
- Spindle-shaped cells initially attached but lacked proliferation.
- Long-term cultures yielded proliferative leukocytoid, endothelial-like, and mesenchymal-like cells.
- Endothelial-like cells formed capillary structures and exhibited LDL uptake; both endothelial- and mesenchymal-like cells adhered to PMP-MO surfaces.
Conclusions:
- Adult ECMO support involves the adherence of progenitor cells to PMP-MO fibers.
- These cells can differentiate into distinct populations with varying surface markers and functional capacities.
- Further investigation is required to determine the clinical significance of these cellular interactions within ECMO devices.
Abstract:
Multipotent progenitor cells were mobilized during pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). We hypothesize that these cells also adhered onto polymethylpentene (PMP) fibers within the membrane oxygenator (MO) during adult ECMO support. Mononuclear cells were removed from the surface of explanted PMP-MOs (n = 16). Endothelial-like outgrowth and mesenchymal-like cells were characterized by flow cytometric analysis using different surface markers. Spindle-shaped attaching cells were identified early, but without proliferative activity. After long-term cultivation palisading type or cobblestone-type outgrowth cells with high proliferative activity appeared and were characterized as (i) leukocytoid CD45+/CD31+ (CD133+/VEGFR-II+/CD90+/CD14+/CD146dim/CD105dim); (ii) endothelial-like CD45-/CD31+ (VEGF-RII+/CD146+/CD105+/CD133-/CD14-/CD90-); and (iii) mesenchymal-like cells CD45-/CD31- (CD105+/CD90+/CD133dim/VEGFR-II-/CD146-/CD14-). The distribution of the cell populations depended on the MO and cultivation time. Endothelial-like cells formed capillary-like structures and did uptake Dil-acetylated low-density lipoprotein. Endothelial- and mesenchymal-like cells adhered on the surface of PMP-MOs. Further research is needed to identify the clinical relevance of these cells.
