Circulating endothelial progenitor cells after kidney transplantation.
Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) promote vascular repair and maintain integrity of the endothelial monolayer. Reduced EPCs number has been associated with endothelial dysfunction in various cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular disease risk is higher in renal transplant patients (RT) than the general population. We studied EPCs number and proliferation in RT, and examined the association with other cardiovascular risk factors such as reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and LDL cholesterol. EPCs concentration was determined in 94 RT and 39 control subjects (C) by flow cytometry. EPCs proliferation was also studied after 7 days in culture. EPCs concentration was significantly reduced in RT versus C (median 33.5 [5-177] vs. 53 [9-257] EPCs/10(5) PMN cells, p=0.006). EPCs proliferation was also reduced in RT versus C (mean+/-SD; 372.7+/-229.3 vs. 539.8+/-291.3 EPCs x field, p=0.003). In multiple regression analysis, GFR, HDL, LDL and body weight were independent predictors of EPCs concentration in RT (r2=0.25, p<0.001). EPCs number is reduced in RT, particularly in patients with reduced GFR. Moreover, EPCs from RT studied in vitro, showed reduced proliferation, which is a sign of functional impairment. These alterations may be involved in increased cardiovascular risk of RT.
Soler
María José
MJ
Nephrology Department, Hospital del Mar, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. m-soler@northwestern.edu
Martínez-Estrada
Ofelia María
OM
Puig-Marí
Josep Maria
JM
Marco-Feliu
Didac
D
Oliveras
Anna
A
Vila
Joan
J
Mir
Marisa
M
Orfila
Antonia
A
Vilaró
Senén
S
Lloveras
Josep
J
D000071916:AC133 Antigen; D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001835:Body Weight; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000473:pathology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016014:Linear Models; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000378:metabolism; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism; D010455:Peptides; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D013997:Time Factors
D000071916:AC133 Antigen; D015703:Antigens, CD; D018952:Antigens, CD34; D006023:Glycoproteins; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D010455:Peptides; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens