Mechanism underlying vascular remodeling in relation to circulating CD34-positive cells among older Japanese men

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Science
• Hematology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Structural atherosclerosis development relies on hematopoietic stem cells (CD34-positive cells).
• An inverse association exists between CD34-positive cell counts and cardiovascular disease, creating a contradiction.
• This paradox suggests a complex role for CD34-positive cells in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To clarify the mechanisms of vascular remodeling and the role of endothelial repair activity.
• To investigate the relationship between endothelial repair, CD34-positive cells, and atherosclerosis in older Japanese men.
• To reconcile the contradictory findings regarding CD34-positive cells and cardiovascular disease risk.

Main Methods:

• Epidemiological studies involving Japanese men aged 60-69 years.
• Analysis of annual health check-up data.
• Examination of endothelial repair activity in relation to functional and structural atherosclerosis.

Main Results:

• Aggressive endothelial repair activity promotes both functional and structural atherosclerosis.
• Deficient endothelial repair, linked to CD34-positive cell shortage, exacerbates functional atherosclerosis but not structural atherosclerosis.
• Lack of structural atherosclerosis does not necessarily indicate healthy endothelium.

Conclusions:

• Endothelial repair activity plays a differential role in functional versus structural atherosclerosis.
• Higher endothelial repair activity, leading to structural atherosclerosis, may be beneficial for vascular health in older men.
• The findings suggest that structural atherosclerosis, driven by robust repair, might be a marker of improved endothelial function in this demographic.