Microparticles of healthy origins improve endothelial progenitor cell dysfunction via microRNA transfer in an atherosclerotic hamster model

Abstract

The data reveal that late EPCs from atherosclerotic model exhibit distinctive features and are dysfunctional, and their function recovery can be supported by MP ability to transfer miRNAs. These findings bring a new light on the vascular repair in atherosclerosis.

The role of microvesicles containing microRNAs in vascular endothelial dysfunction

“…The original idea of EV transfer of miRNAs began in 2007 when a seminal study by Valadi et al proved exosomes to contain functional miRNAs, which can be delivered to another cell . In addition, many studies have reported that functional miRNAs transferred by MVs mediate cell‐cell communication . Intercellular communication processes based on extracellular miRNAs can be considered as consisting of 3 key steps: (a) miRNAs are secreted from cells and selectively packaged into appropriate carriers.…”

“…On the other hand, MVs and the miRNAs they contain have inspired many studies on pathology and disease resistance . For a long time, it has been thought that the therapeutic effect of MV‐delivered miRNAs is obviously superior to that of traditional treatment.…”

“…57 In addition, many studies have reported that functional miRNAs transferred by MVs mediate cell-cell communication. 58…”

The importance of the functional network between endothelial microparticles and late endothelial progenitor cells for understanding the physiological aspects of this new vascular repair system

“…This study showed that late EPCs obtained from an experimental model of atherosclerosis have altered morphological and functional characteristics, and altered immunophenotypic profile and lower levels of miRNAs involved in vascular repair processes (miR‐10a; miR‐21; miR‐126; miR‐146a; miR‐223). Moreover, MPs of healthy animals improve atherosclerosis‐associated late EPC dysfunction by their ability to transfer these miRNAs and to stimulate IGF‐1 expression …”

“…In the peripheral blood, EPCs undergo a maturation process from an early to a late phenotype, which can be evaluated by cytofluorimetric analysis by the immunophenotype change. Possible dysfunctional moments of this complex repair system could be schematized in: decreased mobilization of EPCs from the bone marrow, decreased homing capacity of late EPCs, lower ability to modulate positively the function of late EPCs by MPs (Fig. ).…”