Endothelial progenitor cells in Asian kidney transplant patients.
BACKGROUND
Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) involved in endothelial repair and maintenance are restored following renal transplantation. There are scarce data regarding EPC in Asian kidney allograft patients.


OBJECTIVE
We determined the EPC numbers in Thai renal allograft patients to compare with various other parameters.


METHODS
The EPC numbers which were verified as CD 133+/VEGFR-2 cells in peripheral blood of 38 renal transplant recipients were measured by flow cytometry, and by a cell culture assay using acetylated low-density lipoprotein and Ulex europaeus agglutinin-1 immunofluorescence. Renal function calculated as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was obtained by the abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula.


RESULTS
Renal allograft patients had lower EPC numbers than normal controls (P < .05). The EPC numbers showed a significant correlation with renal allograft function (P < .05). Recipients with stable eGFR at 12 months of follow-up displayed significantly greater EPC numbers at baseline compared with those subjects who experienced a decline in eGFR (P < .05). Recipients using angiotensin receptor blockers had greater EPC numbers at baseline and better 12-month renal allograft function (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
EPC numbers may influence the fate of renal allograft function. Enhancing EPC numbers may be a new strategy to improve long term renal allograft function.
Townamchai
N
N
Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, King Chulalongkorn Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
Praditpornsilpa
K
K
Eiam-Ong
S
S
D000071916:AC133 Antigen; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D002452:Cell Count; D004035:Diet Therapy; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000502:physiology*; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis; D012016:Reference Values; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000032:analysis
D000071916:AC133 Antigen; D015703:Antigens, CD; D006023:Glycoproteins; D010455:Peptides; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2