Level of CD14+-endothelial progenitor cells is not associated with coronary artery disease or cardiovascular risk factors

Abstract

There is evidence for two subpopulations among circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), i.e., CD34 + -EPCs and CD14 + -EPCs. Prior studies on the relationship between the level of EPCs and coronary artery disease (CAD), either did not distinguish between the two types of EPCs or studied only CD34 + -EPCs. We therefore investigated whether the number of circulating CD14 + -EPCs correlates with either CAD and/or cardiovascular risk factors. Circulating CD14 + -EPCs-as defined by the surface markers CD14 + KDR + -were analyzed by flow cytometry in 100 individuals [34 control subjects, 41 patients with stable CAD and 25 patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS)]. The level of circulating CD14 + -EPCs was not significantly different in patients with normal coronary arteries compared to those with stable CAD or ACS. Neither was there any association between the severity of CAD or risk factors and the number of circulating CD14 + -EPCs. Thus, the number of circulating CD14 + -EPCs was not significantly correlated either with the severity of coronary disease or with cardiovascular risk factors.

Endothelial progenitor cells, atheroma burden and clinical outcome in patients with coronary artery disease

“…Mobilisation of CD14 + VEGFR-2 + monocytes following MI has been reported previously in a small clinical study by Bruno et al ,26 who also demonstrated that intramyocardial injection of CD14 + VEGFR-2 + cells improved ventricular function in a murine model of MI. By contrast, Hu et al 27 found no difference in CD14 + VEGFR-2 + cells between patients with stable or unstable CAD and healthy controls, however, this study assessed only 25 patients, 2 weeks post-ACS, and troponin concentrations were not reported making direct comparisons with our study difficult. We believe proangiogenic monocytes are mobilised in the acute response to cardiovascular stress, and may be a measure of myocardial rather than vascular or endothelial injury.…”

Circulating Progenitor Cells Identify Peripheral Arterial Disease in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

“…Several measures have been found to increase mobilization of PCs, such as lifestyle modification, intensifying statin therapy, cilostazol, and exercise. 31, 50,25, 26 Thus, identifying subjects at risk for PAD may allow for earlier interventions, and potentially abrogation of that risk. A low CD34+/VEGF2R+ PC cell count is indicative of worse long term prognosis, especially from vascular events.…”

“…25–27 We and others have also shown that lower circulating PC levels in patients with CAD is associated with an increased risk of adverse CAD events. 28, 29 Previous studies investigating the role of PCs in diabetics with PAD found significantly decreased CD34+/VEGFR2+ cell counts and proliferation compared to healthy or diabetic subjects without PAD.…”

Age and Human Regenerative Capacity Impact of Cardiovascular Risk Factors

“…14–20 Lower circulating PC counts and impaired PC activity measured by colony forming and migration assays have been reported in subjects with RFs for CVD in some but not all studies. 21–23 It is also unclear in humans whether aging alters circulating PC numbers, whether exposure to the injurious effects of CVD RFs stimulates or inhibits PC, and whether presence of atherosclerotic CVD is associated with impairment of PC. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between healthy aging, and aging with exposure to CVD RFs or with established CVD, on circulating PC levels.…”