CD31+ T cells represent a functionally distinct vascular T cell phenotype.
In contrast to CD3(+)/CD31(-) cells, CD3(+)/CD31(+) cells aid in endothelial repair and revascularization. There are limited data regarding the functional differences between circulating CD3(+)/CD31(+) and CD3(+)/CD31(-) cells that may contribute to their divergent cardiovascular effects. The aim of the present study was to characterize functional differences between CD3(+)/CD31(+) and CD3(+)/CD31(-) cells. To address this aim, migratory capacity, proangiogenic cytokine release and apoptotic susceptibility of CD3(+)/CD31(+) and CD3(+)/CD31(-) cells were determined. Human CD3(+)/CD31(+) and CD3(+)/CD31(-)cells from peripheral blood were isolated using magnetic-activated cell sorting. CD3(+)/CD31(+) cells demonstrated significantly higher ( approximately 60%) migratory capacity to the chemokines SDF-1alpha (655+/-99 vs. 273+/-54 AU) and VEGF (618+/-99 vs. 259+/-57 AU) vs. CD3(+)/CD31(-) cells. Release of angiogenic cytokines G-CSF, interleukin-8 and matrix metallopeptidase-9 were all approximately 100% higher (P<0.05) in CD3(+)/CD31(+) than CD3(+)/CD31(-) cells. CD3(+)/CD31(+) cells exhibited significantly higher intracellular concentrations of active caspase-3 (2.61+/-0.60 vs. 0.34+/-0.09 ng/mL) and cytochrome-c (21.8+/-1.4 vs. 13.7+/-1.0 ng/mL). In summary, CD3(+)/CD31(+) cells have greater migratory and angiogenic cytokine release capacity, but are more susceptible to apoptosis compared with CD3(+)/CD31(-) cells. Enhanced migratory capacity and angiogenic cytokine release may contribute to the vasculogenic properties of this unique T cell subpopulation.
Kushner
Erich J
EJ
Integrative Vascular Biology Laboratory, Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
MacEneaney
Owen J
OJ
Morgan
Richard G
RG
Van Engelenburg
Alexander M
AM
Van Guilder
Gary P
GP
DeSouza
Christopher A
CA
D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000276:immunology; D002465:Cell Movement; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*
D017252:CD3 Complex; D016207:Cytokines; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1