内皮祖细胞生物学特性及其进展

内皮祖细胞(Endothelial Progenitor Cells,EPCs)是血管内皮细胞的前体细胞,即能分化为成熟血管内皮细胞的祖细胞。随着对EPCs功能和影响其分化、生存、归巢和组织分布因素的了解,EPCs作为临床诊断、预后判断和治疗方法将有广阔的前景。本文就EPCs的的来源,EPCs的分离、培养、鉴定,EPCs的表面标志,EPCs的动员、分化和归巢等生物学特性及其进展展开综述。     

内皮前体细胞的动员与调节

胚胎发生时期,内皮前体细胞(endothelial progenitor cells,EPCs)参与了原始血管形成的最初过程(血管发生)。已有的证据显示,分化为内皮细胞(endothelial cells,Ecs)的前体也存在于成人中,正常情况下,EPCs停留在成人的骨髓,但是,可以通过细胞因子或血管生成因子信号被动员到循环血,迁移到生理或病理条件下的新血管形成位点,并原位分化成内皮细胞,快速和及时地修复损伤的血管。自源的EPCs原住动员或移植是治疗性血管再生的一个潜在、有效的方法,因此,探究EPCs从骨髓的动员和调节,对血管再生以及修复器官功能具有重要的意义。     

内皮祖细胞在炎症损伤修复中的作用和机制

内皮祖细胞（endothelial progenitor cells,EPCs）是出生后,可以在机体内分化为成熟内皮细胞的一种前体细胞,主要来源于骨髓。多种伴有血管内皮细胞损伤的疾病都可引起外周血EPCs数量变化。有研究显示EPCs参与炎性损伤修复,并且外周血EPCs数量与血管内皮损伤程度和疾病预后存在一定的相关关系。EPCs。通过动员、迁移、归巢和分化等步骤修复内皮。炎症反应中受损组织释放的基质细胞衍生因子、血管内皮生长因子可与EPCs相应的受体结合,通过内皮型一氧化氮合酶、基质金属蛋白酶9等途径调节内皮修复过程,这是EPCs分化为内皮细胞过程的主要调控机制。此外,EPCs还可通过旁分泌机制促进相邻的内皮细胞增殖分化。目前,EPCs在炎症领域仅用于内皮炎性损伤和疾病预后评估,但是EPCs在心血管疾病和组织工程领域应用研究的成功,为EPCs在炎症反应的诊断和治疗提供了新的思路。     

载脂蛋白A损伤小鼠骨髓源性EPCs血管发生能力及其机制

改善血流、促进血管新生是缺血性外周血管疾病的重要治疗措施．由于载脂蛋白A(ApoA)与纤溶酶原(plasminogen,Plg)具有75%～98%的结构同源性,因此,ApoA也可能通过类似Plg的方式抑制内皮祖细胞(endothelial progenitor cells,EPCs)增殖、黏附及迁移而影响血管发生的能力．本文研究ApoA对EPCs 血管发生的影响及机制．为了编码人ApoA全长cDNA序列的pSG-5表达载体,转染COS-7细胞株后进行培养,收集培养液,免疫亲和层析法分离纯化ApoA蛋白;从转ApoA基因小鼠、野生型对照鼠及正常对照鼠骨髓分离培养EPCs,经ApoA处理后移植下肢缺血实验小鼠,于移植后第3、7、14天后观察ApoA对EPCs黏附、迁移及血管发生能力的影响．研究发现,ApoA能显著降低 EPCs的黏附、迁移能力,Matrigel胶上,EPCs血管腔样结构严重破坏,体内实验揭示,EPCs归巢至ApoA转基因小鼠缺血组织血管周围的数量及毛细血管数量显著减少．结果表明,ApoA能损伤EPCs的黏附、迁移及归巢,最终损伤EPCs的血管发生能力．     

有氧运动与干细胞动员的心肌细胞增殖研究进展

适宜运动是防治心脏疾病的有效方式,其作用机制尚未完全阐明,安全有效的运动处方需要系统研究。运动可使正常心肌细胞发生生理性肥大与增殖以及多种细胞因子的分泌和干细胞的有效动员,促进心肌细胞增殖分化。成体心肌细胞增殖的来源包括存活的心肌细胞、心肌干/祖细胞以及外周的骨髓间充质干细胞等。干细胞的动员、趋化归巢并分化为心肌细胞是心肌损伤修复的细胞基础。本文从心肌细胞增殖潜力、心肌梗死(MI)的干细胞治疗和运动促进MI心肌细胞增殖等三个方面综述运动促进干细胞动员,诱导内源性心肌细胞再生对MI心肌修复和心功能改善的可能机制、存在问题及相关研究进展。     

尼氟酸对晚期内皮祖细胞生物学特性的影响

目的:探讨ClCa通道抑制剂--尼氟酸(Niflumic,NFA)对大鼠骨髓来源的晚期内皮祖细胞(endothelial progenitor cells,EPCs)生物学特性的影响。方法:密度梯度离心法分离大鼠骨髓单核细胞,应用EGM-2完全培养液进行体外培养,以第三代或第四代的晚期EPCs作为靶细胞,应用RT-PCR检测晚期EPCs上是否存在Cl Ca通道标志基因TMEM16A和Cl Ca4的表达。采用CCK-8法、Ed U标记法、划痕实验、Boyden小室实验及Matrigel法分别检测10μmol/L NFA对细胞增殖、迁移及体外血管形成能力的影响;应用荧光定量PCR及流式细胞术检测内皮分化标志v WF和CD31基因及蛋白的表达。结果:晚期EPCs表达ClCa通道标志基因TMEM16A和ClCa4;NFA抑制晚期EPCs的迁移功能(P0.05);但对EPCs的增殖、分化及成血管能力有促进作用。NFA上调了晚期EPCs的CD31和v WF基因和蛋白表达。结论:NFA能促进EPCs的增殖、分化及成血管能力,抑制EPCs的迁移能力。NFA对EPCs生物学特性的这类影响将为心血管疾病治疗药物选择方面提供一定的参考依据。     

一些细胞因子对哺乳动物神经干细胞增殖分化的影响

神经干细胞(neural stem cells,NSCs)的增殖、分化与中枢神经系统(central nervous system,CNS)的自我更新、神经病理损伤的修复密切相关。细胞因子可以调节NSCs的增殖,诱导NSCs进行特定分化,这对于治疗CNS损伤疾病具有重要的临床意义。该文综述了生长因子(growth factor,GF)、白细胞介素(interleukin,IL)、干扰素(interferon,IFN)等常见细胞因子对NSCs增殖和分化的影响及其可能的作用机制。其中,神经生长因子(nerve growth factor,NGF)、碱性成纤维生长因子(base fi broblast growth factor,b FGF)、肿瘤坏死因子-α(tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)促进NSCs增殖,IL-1β、IL-17、IFN-α抑制NSCs增殖。IL-1α、血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF)、IFN-γ促进NSCs向神经细胞方向分化,TNF-α、IL-1β促进NSCs向神经胶质细胞分化。有些细胞因子仅对增殖或分化有影响,有些细胞因子对增殖和分化均有影响。此外,大多数细胞因子的不同亚型产生的效应大致相同,但少数亚型可能会产生不同甚至相反的效应。     

血脂康胶囊对高脂模型大鼠EPCs功能的影响

目的:高脂血症可增加心血管事件的发生率,本研究降脂红曲制剂血脂康胶囊对高脂模型大鼠的内皮祖细胞(endothelial progenitor cells,EPCs)生物学功能的影响。方法:给予Wistar大鼠高脂饲料30 d,造成高血脂大鼠模型,灌服血脂康胶囊。密度梯度离心法分别分离正常对照组,高脂模型组和血脂康治疗组大鼠骨髓单核细胞,应用EGM-2MV进行体外培养。以4~6代EPCs为靶细胞。采用Edu标记技术、CCK-8检测法、粘附能力测定试验、改良的Boyden小室、Matrigel法、荧光定量RT-PCR等方法分别检测EPCs增殖、粘附、迁移、体外成血管及单核细胞趋化蛋白-1(monocyte chemoattractant protein-1,MCP-1)等炎性因子的表达。结果:高血脂模型组大鼠EPCs的增殖、粘附、迁移及成血管能力均明显低于对照组,但炎症因子MCP-1表达则高于对照组;与高脂模型组EPCs比较,血脂康可明显促进EPCs的增殖、粘附、迁移及成血管,下调MCP-1的表达。结论:高脂状态下大鼠EPCs的增殖、粘附、迁移及成血管等生物学功能受损,血脂康能调整脂质代谢,改善高脂血症大鼠EPCs功能,从而起到保护血管内皮的功能,减少心血管疾病的发生。     

内皮祖细胞及其在组织工程中的应用

目前,组织工程化血管的构建和工程化组织器官的血管化因内皮种子细胞的扩增能力不足和生物活性不强而受到限制。内皮祖细胞(EPC)是内皮细胞的前体细胞。出生后,EPC主要存在于骨髓,可向外周血液缓慢释放,参与机体缺血组织的血管重建和损伤血管的重新内皮化。现对EPC的来源、分布、表型特征、动员、分化、归巢、分离、培养与鉴定等生物学特性和EPC在组织工程中的应用进行了全面的综述,并指出目前存在的问题和研究方向。     

骨髓干细胞动员在心脑血管疾病中的研究进展

心脑血管的相关缺血性疾病如心梗、脑卒中及严重肢体周围血管疾病,已经成为对人类健康和生命威胁最大的一类疾病.临床传统治疗手段主要包括药物治疗、血管旁路重建、血管腔内成形或支架术等,治疗方法无实质性改进,疗效并不理想."治疗性血管生成"的提出为心脑血管缺血损伤疾病的治疗提出新策略,通过干细胞动员药物大量动员自体骨髓干细胞归巢至病损血管及缺血损伤组织,促进血管新生、缺血组织再生与功能修复,为心脑血管缺血性疾病的治疗提供了新的思路.本文对近年来干细胞动员药物在治疗心脑血管缺血性疾病的研究进展做简要阐述.     

The potential of statin and stromal cell-derived factor-1 to promote angiogenesis

Angiogenesis requires the mobilization of progenitor cells from the bone marrow (BM) and homing of progenitor cells to ischemic tissue. The cholesterol lowering drug Statins can stimulate angiogenesis via mobilization of BM derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), promoting EPC migration, and inhibiting EPC apoptosis. The chemokine stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) augments EPC chemotaxis, facilitates EPC incorporation into the neovasculature. The combined use of a statin to mobilize EPCs and local over-expression of SDF-1 to augment EPC homing to ischemic muscle resulted in superior angiogenesis versus use of either agent alone. Their effects are through augmenting EPC mobilization, incorporation, proliferation, migration, and tube formation while inhibiting EPC apoptosis. Statin and SDF-1 therefore display synergism in promoting neovascularization by improving reperfusion of ischemic muscle, increasing progenitor cell presentation and capillary density in ischemic muscle, and diminishing apoptosis. These results suggest that the combination of statin and SDF-1 may be a new therapeutic strategy in the treatment of limb ischemia.     

内皮祖细胞对急性肺损伤保护作用的研究进展

内皮祖细胞（EPC）是一种多潜能细胞,主要来源于骨髓。外周血EPC可以参与修复多种血管内皮细胞损伤的疾病。目前研究证实EPC通过动员、迁移、归巢和分化等步骤在受损的肺组织处参与内皮细胞修复,调节失控的炎症反应,增强抗氧化能力,对修复和维持肺泡毛细血管屏障的完整性起着重要作用。EPC在心血管疾病和组织工程领域应用研究的成功,为EPC在急性肺损伤的治疗提供了新的思路。     

Adult progenitor cells in vascular remodeling during atherosclerosis

The mobilization and recruitment of bone marrow-derived, circulating or tissue resident progenitor cells giving rise to smooth muscle-like cells have been implicated in neointima hyperplasia after arterial injury and in accelerated forms of arterial lesion formation, e.g., transplant arteriopathy or graft vasculopathy. By contrast, convincing evidence has emerged that the vascular homing of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) contributes to endothelial recovery, thus limiting neointima formation after arterial injury. In the chronic context of primary atherosclerosis, plaque progression and destabilization, a more complex picture has become apparent. In patients with coronary artery disease, the number and function of EPCs have been linked with an improved endothelial function or regeneration, but have been inversely correlated with cardiovascular risk. In animal models, however, the injection of bone marrow cells or EPCs, or the application of stem-cell mobilizing factors, have been associated with an exacerbation of atherosclerosis and unstable plaque phenotypes, whereas the contribution of bone marrow-derived smooth muscle progenitors to primary atherosclerosis appears to be rather confined. Here, we discuss crucial biochemical cues, namely chemokines, adhesion molecules, growth factors and pharmacological means that guide and control the context-specific mobilization, recruitment and fate of vascular progenitor cells in arterial remodeling during atherosclerosis.     

Differentiation of stem/progenitor cells into vascular cells in response to fluid mechanical forces

Vascular functions are regulated not only by chemical mediators, such as hormones, cytokines, and neurotransmitters, but by mechanical hemodynamic forces generated by blood flow and blood pressure. The mechanical force-mediated regulation is based on the ability of vascular cells, including endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells, to recognize fluid mechanical forces, i.e., the shear stress produced by flowing blood and the cyclic strain generated by blood pressure, and to transmit the signals into the cell interior, where they trigger cell responses that involve changes in cell morphology, cell function, and gene expression. Recent studies have revealed that immature cells, such as endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and embryonic stem (ES) cells, as well as adult vascular cells, respond to fluid mechanical forces. Shear stress and cyclic strain promote the proliferation and differentiation of EPCs and ES cells into vascular cells and enhance their ability to form new vessels. Even more recently, attempts have been made to apply fluid mechanical forces to EPCs and ES cells cultured on polymer tubes and develop tissue-engineered blood vessel grafts that have a structure and function similar to that of blood vessels in vivo. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge concerning the mechanobiological responses of stem/progenitor cells and its potential applications to tissue engineering.     

Transplantation of endothelial progenitor cells for therapeutic neovascularization

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which were first identified in adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNCs), play an important role in postnatal neovascularization. Tissue ischemia augments mobilization of EPCs from bone marrow into the circulation and enhances incorporation of EPCs at sites of neovascularization. Two methods to obtain EPCs from bone marrow, peripheral blood or cord blood MNCs have been evaluated for therapeutic neovascularization: (1) fresh isolation using anti-CD34, anti-KDR or anti-AC133 antibody, and (2) ex vivo expansion of total MNCs. In an immunodeficient mouse model of hindlimb ischemia, systemic transplantation of human ex vivo expanded EPCs improves limb survival through the enhancement of blood flow in the ischemic tissue. A similar strategy also leads to histological and functional preservation of ischemic myocardium of nude rats. Recently, a preclinical study of catheter-based, intramyocardial transplantation ofautologous EPCs in a swine model of chronic myocardial ischemia demonstrated the therapeutic potential of cell-based therapy, with attenuation of myocardial ischemia and improvement in left ventricular function. These favorable outcomes strongly suggest a therapeutic impact of EPC transplantation in clinical settings. Further basic research, with improved understanding of the mechanisms governing homing and incorporation of EPCs, will be still necessary to optimize the methodology of the cell therapy.     

Pathophysiology of stem cells in restenosis

Recent evidence has shown that vascular function depends not only on cells within the vessels, but is also significantly modulated by circulating cells derived from the bone marrow. A number of studies indicate that an early reendothelialization by circulating endothelial precursors after vascular injury prevents excessive cell proliferation and restenosis. Conversely, other studies concluded that the homing of other cell fractions, consisting mainly of smooth muscle precursors, cause pathological remodelling. Different cell types have been identified and characterized so far as circulating precursors able to participate in vascular repair by homing and differentiating towards endothelial cells or smooth muscle cells. Among these, endothelial precursor cells, smooth muscle progenitor cells, mesenchymal stem cells and others have been described. The origins, the hierarchy, the role and the markers of these different cell populations are still controversial. Nevertheless, different strategies have been developed so far in animal models to induce the mobilization and the recruitment of stem cells to the injury site, based on physical training, hormone injection and application of stem cell-capturing coated stents. It should also be mentioned that the limited data currently available derived from clinical trials provide contrasting results about the effective role of vascular cell precursors in restenosis prevention, thus indicating that conclusions derived from studies in animal models cannot always be directly applied to humans and that caution should be used in the manipulation of circulating progenitor cells for therapeutic strategies.     

Far infra-red therapy promotes ischemia-induced angiogenesis in diabetic mice and restores high glucose-suppressed endothelial progenitor cell functions

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Far infra-red (IFR) therapy was shown to exert beneficial effects in cardiovascular system, but effects of IFR on endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) and EPC-related vasculogenesis remain unclear. We hypothesized that IFR radiation can restore blood flow recovery in ischemic hindlimb in diabetic mice by enhancement of EPCs functions and homing process.Materials and methodsStarting at 4 weeks after the onset of diabetes, unilateral hindlimb ischemia was induced in streptozotocine (STZ)-induced diabetic mice, which were divided into control and IFR therapy groups (n = 6 per group). The latter mice were placed in an IFR dry sauna at 34[DEGREE SIGN]C for 30 min once per day for 5 weeks. RESULTS: Doppler perfusion imaging demonstrated that the ischemic limb/normal side blood perfusion ratio in the thermal therapy group was significantly increased beyond that in controls, and significantly greater capillary density was seen in the IFR therapy group. Flow cytometry analysis showed impaired EPCs (Sca-1+/Flk-1+) mobilization after ischemia surgery in diabetic mice with or without IFR therapy (n = 6 per group). However, as compared to those in the control group, bone marrow-derived EPCs differentiated into endothelial cells defined as GFP+/CD31+ double-positive cells were significantly increased in ischemic tissue around the vessels in diabetic mice that received IFR radiation. In in-vitro studies, cultured EPCs treated with IFR radiation markedly augmented high glucose-impaired EPC functions, inhibited high glucose-induced EPC senescence and reduced H2O2 production. Nude mice received human EPCs treated with IFR in high glucose medium showed a significant improvement in blood flow recovery in ischemic limb compared to those without IFR therapy. IFR therapy promoted blood flow recovery and new vessel formation in STZ-induced diabetic mice. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of IFR therapy promoted collateral flow recovery and new vessel formation in STZ-induced diabetic mice, and these beneficial effects may derive from enhancement of EPC functions and homing process.     

Directing migration of endothelial progenitor cells with applied DC electric fields

Naturally-occurring, endogenous electric fields (EFs) have been detected at skin wounds, damaged tissue sites and vasculature. Applied EFs guide migration of many types of cells, including endothelial cells to migrate directionally. Homing of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) to an injury site is important for repair of vasculature and also for angiogenesis. However, it has not been reported whether EPCs respond to applied EFs. Aiming to explore the possibility to use electric stimulation to regulate the progenitor cells and angiogenesis, we tested the effects of direct-current (DC) EFs on EPCs. We first used immunofluorescence to confirm the expression of endothelial progenitor markers in three lines of EPCs. We then cultured the progenitor cells in EFs. Using time-lapse video microscopy, we demonstrated that an applied DC EF directs migration of the EPCs toward the cathode. The progenitor cells also align and elongate in an EF. Inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor signaling completely abolished the EF-induced directional migration of the progenitor cells. We conclude that EFs are an effective signal that guides EPC migration through VEGF receptor signaling in vitro. Applied EFs may be used to control behaviors of EPCs in tissue engineering, in homing of EPCs to wounds and to an injury site in the vasculature.     

血管再生中的内皮祖细胞

循环血液里存在一种被称为内皮祖细胞(endothelial progenitor cells,EPCs)的祖细胞亚群,具有在体内外分化为成熟内皮细胞的能力。根据内皮祖细胞与其他血液细胞的粘附能力的差异和内皮祖细胞的抗原特异性,内皮祖细胞可通过贴壁培养和免疫磁珠筛选而分离获得。内皮祖细胞可特异性表达三种祖细胞分子标志：CD133、CD34和血管内皮生长因子受体-2。当内皮祖细胞分化为成熟内皮细胞后,血小板内皮细胞粘附分子-1(CD31)、血管内皮粘附素(VE-cadherin,又称CD144)和Ⅷ因子(vWF)表达将上调。越来越多的证据显示,内皮祖细胞有利于体内内皮损伤后修复和血管再生。我们的研究发现,内皮祖细胞可修复apoE-缺陷小鼠血管移植物中的损伤内皮并且在动脉血管外膜中存在大量的血管祖细胞。然而,在机体的血管再生和动脉硬化的形成进程中,这些内皮祖细胞的作用和机制还不太明确。另外,有关机体内相应心血管疾病危险因素是如何影响内皮祖细胞功能的机制也不清楚。因此,对内皮祖细胞的归巢、释放和粘附机制的进一步深入研究将有助于人们探索内皮祖细胞的基础理论和临床应用价值。