Authors:
Sung-Whan Kim PhD, Hyongbum Kim MD, PhD, Hyun-Jai Cho MD, PhD, Jung-Uek Lee MS, Rebecca Levit MD, and Young-sup Yoon MD, PhD
Summary:
Objectives - This study aimed to determine if CD31 is a novel marker of a circulating angio-vasculogenic cell population and to establish the cells' therapeutic effects on experimental ischemia.
Background - Emerging evidence suggested that therapeutic mechanisms underlying various bone marrow-derived cells are due to paracrine effects. Furthermore, the vasculogenic potential of these cells is under debate. CD31 is a well-known marker for endothelial cells but is also expressed in a fraction of peripheral blood (PB) mononuclear cells.
Methods - CD31+ cells were isolated from human PB by magnetic-activated cell sorting. The gene expression profile was examined by deoxyribonucleic acid microarray and real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Various in vitro endothelial differentiation or vasculogenic assays were conducted. Finally, cells were directly implanted into a mouse hind limb ischemia model to test angiogenic-vasculogenic and therapeutic effects.
Results - Fluorescent-activated cell sorter analysis revealed that PB-CD31+ cells exhibited endothelial and hematopoietic stem/progenitor markers. CD31+ cells had higher levels of expression of proangiogenic genes on microarray and real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and generated higher numbers of endothelial progenitor cells than CD31– cells did. CD31+ cells spontaneously formed vascular tubelike structures and exhibited an endothelial cell phenotype in vitro. In a hind limb ischemia model, CD31+ cell transplantation augmented blood perfusion and prevented limb loss. Both angiogenic cytokines and capillary density were increased, suggesting CD31+ cells augmented neovascularization.
Conclusions - CD31 is a novel marker that designates circulating angiogenic and vasculogenic cells. These cells are easily isolated from human PB and thus are a novel candidate for treatment of ischemic cardiovascular disease.
Source:
Journal of the American College of Cardiology; Vol. 56, Issue 7, 593-607 (08/10/10))