Endothelial Progenitor Cell Mobilization in Preterm Infants With Sepsis Is Associated With Improved Survival
Vahid Siavashi1, Simin Asadian2, Masoud Taheri-Asl3
1Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Insights
Increased circulating endothelial progenitor cells (cEPCs) in preterm infants with sepsis correlate with improved survival. Mobilization of these cells, influenced by factors like VEGF and SDF-1, appears beneficial in combating sepsis-related outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Vascular Biology
- Sepsis Pathophysiology
Background:
- Microvascular dysfunction is central to sepsis-induced multi-organ failure and mortality.
- Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (cEPCs) are vital for vascular homeostasis.
- Understanding cEPCs' role in infantile sepsis is crucial for improving outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine cEPC concentrations in preterm infants with sepsis.
- To investigate the relationship between EPC mobilization and clinical outcomes in infantile sepsis.
- To elucidate the role of EPC mobilization in sepsis survival using animal models.
Main Methods:
- Quantified circulating EPCs in 133 preterm infants (81 sepsis, 52 control).
- Cultured and analyzed EPC biological features (proliferation, colony-forming efficiency).
- Measured serum levels of chemoattractant cytokines (VEGF, SDF-1, Angiopoietin-2) and evaluated VEGF/SDF-1 effects in mouse sepsis models.
Main Results:
- Preterm infants with sepsis exhibited significantly higher circulating EPC levels than controls.
- Elevated serum levels of VEGF, SDF-1, and Angiopoietin-2 were observed in septic infants.
- VEGF and SDF-1 administration improved survival in mouse sepsis models, while blocking them worsened outcomes.
Conclusions:
- EPC release demonstrates beneficial effects in preterm infants with sepsis.
- Increased mobilization of cEPCs is associated with improved survival in infantile sepsis.
- Targeting EPC mobilization represents a potential therapeutic strategy for sepsis.
Abstract:
Microvascular dysfunction plays a key role in the pathology of sepsis, leading to multi-organ failure, and death. Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (cEPCs) are critically involved in the maintenance of the vascular homeostasis in both physiological and pathological contexts. In this study, concentration of cEPCs in preterm infants with sepsis was determined to recognize whether the EPC mobilization would affect the clinical outcome of infantile sepsis. One hundred and thirty-three preterm infants (81 with sepsis and 52 without sepsis) were enrolled in this study. The release of EPCs in circulation was first quantified. Thereafter, these cells were cultivated and biological features of these cells such as, proliferation and colony forming efficiency were analyzed. The levels of chemoattractant cytokines were also measured in infants. In mouse models of sepsis, effects of VEGF and SDF-1 as well as anti-VEGF and anti-SDF-1 were evaluated in order to shed light upon the role which the EPC mobilization plays in the overall survival of septic animals. Circulating EPCs were significantly higher in preterm infants with sepsis than in the non-sepsis group. Serum levels of VEGF, SDF-1, and Angiopoietin-2 were also higher in preterm infants with sepsis than in control non-sepsis. In the animal experiments, injection of VEGF and SDF-1 prompted the mobilization of EPCs, leading to an improvement in survival whereas injection of anti-VEGF and anti-SDF-1 was associated with significant deterioration of survival. Overall, our results demonstrated the beneficial effects of EPC release in preterm infants with sepsis, with increased mobilization of these cells was associated with improved survival. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3299-3307, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
