Stem-Cell-Derived Circulating Progenitors Dysfunction in Behçet's Syndrome Patients Correlates With Oxidative Stress

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Immunology
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Behçet's syndrome (BS) is a systemic vasculitis linked to thrombotic events.
• Circulating hematopoietic progenitor cells (CPC) are crucial for vascular repair but are reduced in cardiovascular diseases.
• The mechanisms behind reduced CPC in BS and the role of oxidative stress are unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between circulating CPC dysfunction and oxidative stress in BS patients.
• To assess CPC number, oxidative stress markers, and apoptosis in BS patients compared to controls.

Main Methods:

• Quantification of CD34+/CD45-/dim and CD34+/CD45-/dim/CD133+ CPC subsets.
• Measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) levels in CPC.
• Assessment of caspase-3 activity as a marker of apoptosis.

Main Results:

• BS patients exhibited significantly lower CPC numbers compared to controls.
• CPC from BS patients showed elevated ROS levels and reduced GSH content.
• Increased caspase-3 activity was observed in BS patient CPC, indicating apoptosis.
• CPC number correlated inversely with ROS and positively with GSH content.

Conclusions:

• CPC in BS patients display oxidative stress and apoptosis, leading to reduced numbers.
• Oxidative stress-induced CPC dysfunction may impair vascular repair mechanisms.
• This dysfunction could contribute to the pathogenesis and progression of vascular disease in Behçet's syndrome.