CD31+ Circulating Angiogenic Cell Number and Subtypes are Reduced in Individuals with Chronic Stroke.

Area of Science:

• Vascular biology
• Regenerative medicine
• Neurology

Background:

• Reduced CD31+ circulating angiogenic cells (CACs) may underlie vascular issues in chronic stroke.
• Investigating CACs is crucial for understanding stroke pathophysiology.

Purpose of the Study:

• Quantify CD31+ CACs, their subtypes, and paracrine function in chronic stroke patients versus controls.
• Identify potential therapeutic targets for chronic stroke recovery.

Main Methods:

• Isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from chronic stroke patients and controls.
• Quantified CD31+ cells and their subtypes (CD14, CD3, CD11b, CD34) using flow cytometry.
• Assessed CD31+ CAC paracrine function via capillary-like network formation assay.

Main Results:

• Chronic stroke patients had significantly fewer CD31+ CACs (-24%, P=0.04).
• Specific subtypes (CD31+/CD14+, CD31+/CD11b+, CD31+/CD3+) were also significantly reduced in stroke patients.
• No significant difference in CD31+ CAC conditioned media's ability to form capillary-like networks was observed between groups.

Conclusions:

• CD31+ CACs and their subtypes are diminished in individuals with chronic stroke.
• These cells and their specific subtypes represent potential therapeutic targets for improving chronic stroke recovery.