scholarly journals Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Rheumatoid Arthritis: Response to Endothelial Dysfunction and Clinical Evidences

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (24) ◽  
pp. 13675
Author(s):  
Klara Komici ◽  
Angelica Perna ◽  
Aldo Rocca ◽  
Leonardo Bencivenga ◽  
Giuseppe Rengo ◽  
...  

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease characterized by the swelling of multiple joints, pain and stiffness, and accelerated atherosclerosis. Sustained immune response and chronic inflammation, which characterize RA, may induce endothelial activation, damage and dysfunction. An equilibrium between endothelial damage and repair, together with the preservation of endothelial integrity, is of crucial importance for the homeostasis of endothelium. Endothelial Progenitor Cells (EPCs) represent a heterogenous cell population, characterized by the ability to differentiate into mature endothelial cells (ECs), which contribute to vascular homeostasis, neovascularization and endothelial repair. A modification of the number and function of EPCs has been described in numerous chronic inflammatory and auto-immune conditions; however, reports that focus on the number and functions of EPCs in RA are characterized by conflicting results, and discrepancies exist among different studies. In the present review, the authors describe EPCs’ role and response to RA-related endothelial modification, with the aim of illustrating current evidence regarding the level of EPCs and their function in this disease, to summarize EPCs’ role as a biomarker in cardiovascular comorbidities related to RA, and finally, to discuss the modulation of EPCs secondary to RA therapy.

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 937.1-937
Author(s):  
V. Pulito-Cueto ◽  
S. Remuzgo-Martínez ◽  
F. Genre ◽  
V. M. Mora-Cuesta ◽  
D. Iturbe Fernández ◽  
...  

Background:Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is one of the most significant comorbidities of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), increasing the mortality in these patients [1,2]. Although the pathogenesis of ILD associated to RA (RA-ILD+) remains poorly defined [1], it is known that vascular tissue plays a crucial role in lung physiology [3]. In this context, a population of cells termed endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) are involved in vasculogenesis and endothelial tissue repair [4]. Previous reports suggest the implication of EPC in different conditions such as RA and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the most common and destructive ILD [5,6]. Nevertheless, little is known about their specific role in RA-ILD+.Objectives:The purpose of this study was to shed light on the potential role of EPC in endothelial damage in RA-ILD+.Methods:Peripheral venous blood was collected from a total of 68 individuals (18 with RA-ILD+, 17 with RA-ILD-, 19 with IPF and 14 healthy controls). All subjects were recruited from the Rheumatology and Pneumology departments of Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Santander, Spain. Quantification of EPC was analyzed by the expression of surface antigens by flow cytometry. The combination of antibodies against the stem cell marker CD34, the immature progenitor marker CD133, the endothelial marker VEGF receptor 2 (CD309) and the common leukocyte antigen CD45 was used. EPC were considered as CD34+, CD45Low, CD309+and CD133+. All statistical analyses were performed using Prism software 5 (GraphPad).Results:EPC frequency was significantly increased in patients with RA-ILD+, RA-ILD-and IPF compared to controls (p=0.001, p=0.002, p< 0.0001, respectively). Nevertheless, patients with RA, both RA-ILD+and RA-ILD-, showed a lower frequency of EPC than those with IPF (p= 0.048, p= 0.006, respectively).Conclusion:Our results provide evidence for a potential role of EPC as a reparative compensatory mechanism related to endothelial damage in RA-ILD+, RA-ILD-and IPF patients. Interestingly, EPC frequency may help to establish a differential diagnostic between patients with IPF and those who have an underlying autoimmune disease (RA-ILD+).References:[1] J Clin Med 2019; 8: 2038;[2] Arthritis Rheumatol 2015; 67: 28-38;[3] Nat Protoc 2015; 10: 1697-1708;[4] Science 1997; 275: 964-966;[5] Rheumatology (Oxford) 2012; 51: 1775-1784;[6] Angiogenesis 2013; 16: 147-157.Acknowledgments:Personal funds, VP-C: PREVAL18/01 (IDIVAL); SR-M: RD16/0012/0009 (ISCIII-ERDF); LL-G: PI18/00042 (ISCIII-ERDF); RL-M: Miguel Servet type I CP16/00033 (ISCIII-ESF).Disclosure of Interests:Verónica Pulito-Cueto: None declared, Sara Remuzgo-Martínez: None declared, Fernanda Genre: None declared, Victor Manuel Mora-Cuesta: None declared, David Iturbe Fernández: None declared, Sonia Fernández-Rozas: None declared, Leticia Lera-Gómez: None declared, Pilar Alonso Lecue: None declared, Javier Rodriguez Carrio: None declared, Belén Atienza-Mateo: None declared, Virginia Portilla: None declared, David Merino: None declared, Ricardo Blanco Grant/research support from: AbbVie, MSD, Roche, Consultant of: Abbvie, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Roche, Bristol-Myers, Janssen, UCB Pharma and MSD, Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Roche, Bristol-Myers, Janssen, UCB Pharma. MSD, Alfonso Corrales Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Jose Manuel Cifrián-Martínez: None declared, Raquel López-Mejías: None declared, Miguel A González-Gay Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Abbvie, MSD, Speakers bureau: Pfizer, Abbvie, MSD


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 4098
Author(s):  
Verónica Pulito-Cueto ◽  
Sara Remuzgo-Martínez ◽  
Fernanda Genre ◽  
Víctor M. Mora-Cuesta ◽  
David Iturbe-Fernández ◽  
...  

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) increases morbidity and mortality in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although the pathogenesis of ILD associated with RA (RA-ILD+) remains poorly defined, vascular tissue is crucial in lung physiology. In this context, endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) are involved in endothelial tissue repair. However, little is known about their implication in RA-ILD+. Accordingly, we aimed to investigate the potential role of EPC related to endothelial damage in RA-ILD+. EPC quantification in peripheral blood from 80 individuals (20 RA-ILD+ patients, 25 RA-ILD− patients, 21 idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients, and 14 healthy controls) was performed by flow cytometry. EPC were considered as CD34+, CD45low, CD309+ and CD133+. A significant increase in EPC frequency in RA-ILD+ patients, as well as in RA-ILD− and IPF patients, was found when compared with controls (p < 0.001, p = 0.02 and p < 0.001, respectively). RA-ILD+ patients exhibited a higher EPC frequency than the RA-ILD− ones (p = 0.003), but lower than IPF patients (p < 0.001). Our results suggest that EPC increase may represent a reparative compensatory mechanism in patients with RA-ILD+. The degree of EPC frequency may help to identify the presence of ILD in RA patients and to discriminate RA-ILD+ from IPF.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
O Itzhaki Ben Zadok ◽  
D Leshem-Lev ◽  
T Ben-Gal ◽  
A Hamdan ◽  
N Schamroth-Pravda ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Endothelial microvascular dysfunction is a known mechanism of injury in cardiac amyloidosis (CA), but evidence regarding the level and function of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in patients with CA is lacking. Methods Study population included patients with light-chain or transthyretin (ATTR) CA. Patients with diagnosed heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) without monoclonal gammopathy and a 99mTc-DPD scan incompatible with TTR were used as controls. Blood circulating EPCs were assessed quantitatively by the expression of VEGFR-2(+), CD34(+) and CD133(+) using flow cytometry, and functionally by the formation of colony forming units (CFUs). MTT assay was used to demonstrate cell viability. Tests were repeated 3 months following the initiation of amyloid-suppressive therapies (either ATTR-stabilizer or targeted chemotherapy) in CA patients. Results Our preliminary cohort included 14 CA patients (median age 74 years, 62% ATTR CA). Patients with CA vs. patients with HFpEF (n=8) demonstrated lower expression of CD34(+)/VEGFR-2(+) cells [0.51% (IQR 0.4, 0.7) vs. 1.03% (IQR 0.6, 1.4), P=0.043] and CD133(+)/VEGFR-2(+) cells [0.35% (IQR 0.23, 0.52) to 1.07% (IQR 0.6, 1.5), P=0.003]. Functionally, no differences were noted between groups. Following the initiation of amyloid-suppressive therapies in CA patients, we observed the up-regulation of CD34(+)/VEGFR-2(+) cells [2.47% (IQR 2.1, 2.7), P&lt;0.001] and CD133(+)/VEGFR-2(+) cells [1.38% (IQR 1.1, 1.7), P=0.003]. Moreover, functionally, active EPCs were evident microscopically by their ability to form colonies (from 0.5 CFUs [IQR 0, 1.5) to 2 CFUs (IQR 1, 3.5), P=0.023]. EPCs' viability was demonstrated by an MTT assay [0.12 (IQR 0.04, 0.12) to 0.24 (IQR 0.16, 0.3), p=0.014]. Conclusions These preliminary results demonstrate reduced EPCs levels in CA patients indicating significant microvascular impairment. Amyloid-targeted therapies induce the activation of EPCs, thus possibly promoting endothelial regeneration. These findings may represent a novel mechanism of action of amyloid-suppressive therapies EPCs in CA patients and during therapy Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


Stem Cells ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 2243-2255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chen-Ming Su ◽  
Chin-Jung Hsu ◽  
Chun-Hao Tsai ◽  
Chun-Yin Huang ◽  
Shih-Wei Wang ◽  
...  

2016 ◽  
Vol 130 (22) ◽  
pp. 2029-2042 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shengyuan Luo ◽  
Wenhao Xia ◽  
Cong Chen ◽  
Eric A. Robinson ◽  
Jun Tao

The discovery of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), a group of cells that play important roles in angiogenesis and the maintenance of vascular endothelial integrity, has led to considerable improvements in our understanding of the circulatory system and the regulatory mechanisms of vascular homoeostasis. Despite lingering disputes over where EPCs actually originate and how they facilitate angiogenesis, extensive research in the past decade has brought about significant advancements in this field of research, establishing EPCs as an essential element in the pathogenesis of various diseases. EPC and hypertensive disorders, especially essential hypertension (EH, also known as primary hypertension), represent one of the most appealing branches in this area of research. Chronic hypertension remains a major threat to public health, and the exact pathologic mechanisms of EH have never been fully elucidated. Is there a relationship between EPC and hypertension? If so, what is the nature of such relationship–is it mediated by blood pressure alterations, or other factors that lie in between? How can our current knowledge about EPCs be utilized to advance the prevention and clinical management of hypertension? In this review, we set out to answer these questions by summarizing the current concepts about EPC pathophysiology in the context of hypertension, while attempting to point out directions for future research on this subject.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Luo ◽  
Quan-Neng Yan ◽  
Wan-Zhou Wu ◽  
Fan-Yan Luo

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) contribute to the endogenous endothelial repair program during hypercholesterolemia. EPC count and migratory and proliferative capacities remain unchanged in the premenopausal female with hypercholesterolemia. However, the changes of count and activity of circulating EPCs in the hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal females are unknown. Here, we find that the migratory and proliferative capacities of circulating EPCs were decreased in patients with hypercholesterolemia versus normocholesterolemia. No significant differences were found between postmenopausal females and age-matched males. NO production showed positive correlation with the activity and count of circulating EPCs in patients with hypercholesterolemia. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) is directly interrelated with EPC counts and function. Our findings reveal that decreased EPC count and endothelial dysfunction lead to less NO production in hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal females. Maintaining the EPC numbers and activity might be emerging as a potential therapeutic strategy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular injury in elder women.


2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Teraa ◽  
Ralf W Sprengers ◽  
Frans L Moll ◽  
Marianne C Verhaar ◽  

Background Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is characterized by obstruction of lower extremity arteries and a largely unexplained impaired ischemic neovascularization response. Bone marrow (BM) derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) contribute to postnatal neovascularization. We hypothesize that reduced levels and function of circulating progenitor cells and a dysfunctional BM environment contribute to impaired neovascularization in CLI. Methods Levels of primitive (CD34+ and CD133+) progenitors and CD34+KDR+ haemangioblastic EPC were analyzed using flow cytometry in peripheral blood (PB) and BM from 101 CLI patients in the JUVENTAS trial ( NCT00371371 ) and healthy controls (n=37 and n=12 for PB and BM, respectively). Endothelial damage markers (sE-selectin, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, thrombomodulin) and PB levels of progenitor cell mobilizing (VEGF, SDF-1α, SCF, G-CSF) and inflammatory (IL-6, IL-8, IP-10) factors were assessed by ELISA and multiplex. Levels and activity of the EPC mobilizing protease MMP-9 were assessed in BM plasma by ELISA and zymography. Circulating angiogenic cells (CAC) were cultured from PB, and CAC paracrine function was assessed. Results Endothelial damage markers were higher in CLI ( p< 0.01). PB levels of VEGF, SDF-1α, SCF, G-CSF ( p< 0.05) and of IL-6, IL-8 and IP-10 were higher in CLI ( p< 0.05). Circulating EPC and CD133+ cells and BM CD34+ cells were significantly lower in CLI (all p <0.05), BM levels and activity of MMP-9 were lower in CLI (both p< 0.01). Multivariate regression analysis showed an inverse association between IL-6 levels and BM CD34+ cell levels ( p= 0.007). CAC outgrowth did not differ significantly between CLI patients and healthy controls ( p= 0.137), however CAC from CLI patients had profoundly reduced migration stimulating potential ( p< 0.0001). Conclusion CLI patients have reduced levels of circulating EPC despite profound endothelial injury and an EPC mobilizing response. Moreover, CLI patients have lower BM CD34+ cell levels, which were inversely associated with the inflammatory marker IL-6, and lower BM MMP-9 levels and activity. Our data suggest that reduced levels and function of circulating progenitor cells and BM dysfunction contribute to the defective neovascularization response in CLI.


2019 ◽  
Vol 142 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-119
Author(s):  
Martin Řádek ◽  
Eva Babuňková ◽  
Martin Špaček ◽  
Tomáš Kvasnička ◽  
Jan Kvasnička

Background/Aims: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and circulating endothelial cells (CECs) have been described as markers of endothelial damage and dysfunction in several diseases, including deep venous thrombosis. Their role in patients with known thrombophilia has not yet been evaluated. Both EPCs and CECs represent extremely rare cell populations. Therefore, it is essential to use standardized methods for their identification and quantification. Methods: In this study, we used multicolor flow cytometry to analyze the number of EPCs and CECs in patients with thrombophilia with or without a history of thrombosis. Patients with hematological malignancies after high-dose chemotherapy and patients with acute myocardial infarction were used as positive controls. Results: EPC and CEC immunophenotypes were determined as CD45dim/–CD34+CD146+CD133+ and CD45dim/–CD34+CD146+CD133–, respectively. Increased levels of endothelial cells were observed in positive control groups. No significant changes in the number of EPCs or CECs were detected in patients with thrombophilia compared to healthy controls. Conclusion: Our optimized multicolor flow cytometry method allows unambiguous identification and quantification of endothelial cells in the peripheral blood. Our results support previous studies showing that elevated levels of CECs could serve as an indicator of endothelial injury or dysfunction. Normal levels of CECs or EPCs were found in patients with thrombophilia.


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