Stimulatory Influences of Far Infrared Therapy on the Transcriptome and Genetic Networks of Endothelial Progenitor Cells Receiving High Glucose Treatment.
BACKGROUND
Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a fundamental role in vascular repair and angiogenesis- related diseases. It is well-known that the process of angiogenesis is faulty in patients with diabetes. Long-term exposure of peripheral blood EPCs to high glucose (HG-EPCs) has been shown to impair cell proliferation and other functional competencies. Far infrared (FIR) therapy can promote ischemia-induced angiogenesis in diabetic mice and restore high glucose-suppressed endothelial progenitor cell functions both in vitro and in vivo. However, the detail mechanisms and global transcriptome alternations are still unclear.


METHODS
In this study, we investigated the influences of FIR upon HG-EPC gene expressions. EPCs were obtained from the peripheral blood and treated with high glucose. These cells were then subjected to FIR irradiation and functional assays.


RESULTS
Those genes responsible for fibroblast growth factors, Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription and prostaglandin signaling pathways were significantly induced in HG-EPCs after FIR treatment. On the other hand, mouse double minute 2 homolog, genes involved in glycogen metabolic process, and genes involved in cardiac fibrosis were down-regulated. We also observed complex genetic networks functioning in FIR-treated HG-EPCs, in which several genes, such as GATA binding protein 3, hairy and enhancer of split-1, Sprouty Homolog 2, MAPK and Sirtuin 1, acted as hubs to maintain the stability and connectivity of the whole genetic network.


CONCLUSIONS
Deciphering FIR-affected genes will not only provide us with new knowledge regarding angiogenesis, but also help to develop new biomarkers for evaluating the effects of FIR therapy. Our findings may also be adapted to develop new methods to increase EPC activities for treating diabetes-related ischemia and metabolic syndrome-associated cardiovascular disorders.


BACKGROUND
Endothelial progenitor cell; Far infrared; Microarray; Systems biology.
Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Tzu-Chiao
TC
Lin
Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chin-Sheng
CS
Lin
Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Tsung-Neng
TN
Tsai
Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Shu-Meng
SM
Cheng
Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Wei-Shiang
WS
Lin
Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Cheng-Chung
CC
Cheng
Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chun-Hsien
CH
Wu
Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chih-Hsueng
CH
Hsu