title: VDR expression on circulating endothelial progenitor cells in dialysis patients is modulated by 25(OH)D serum levels and calcitriol therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Vitamin D deficiency is associated with endothelial dysfunction in uremic patients, possibly by the impairment in the number and function of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). In 89 hemodialysis patients, we investigated the factors associated with the number of circulating EPCs (CD34+/CD133+/KDR+ and CD34+/CD133-/KDR+ cells), the presence of VDR and the determinants of VDR expression on EPCs, in particular in calcitriol therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  EPC counts, percentages of VDR-positive EPCs and VDR expression were assessed by flow cytometry. Cells isolated from a subgroup of patients were cultured to analyze colony-forming units, specific markers expression and a capillary-like structure formation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study demonstrates the presence of VDR on EPCs. In our dialysis patients, the parameters studied on both CD34+/CD133+/KDR+ and CD34+/CD133-/KDR+ cells, in particular VDR expression, seem to be influenced by uremia-related factors, including anemia, inflammation, diabetes, 25(OH)D serum levels and calcitriol therapy.
authors.affiliation: Nephrology Dialysis and Renal Transplantation Unit, S. Orsola University Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cianciolo
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: La Manna
authors.forename: Maria L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Cappuccilli
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lanci
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Della Bella
authors.forename: Vania
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cuna
authors.forename: Ada
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dormi
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Todeschini
authors.forename: Gabriele
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Donati
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alviano
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Gian Paolo
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Bagnara
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stefoni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000096:biosynthesis; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000097:blood*; D002117:Calcitriol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D014511:Uremia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D018167:Receptors, Calcitriol; D014815:Vitamins; D002117:Calcitriol; D002112:Calcifediol