Copyright © 2006, European Society of Cardiology
Bone marrow molecular alterations after myocardial infarction: Impact on endothelial progenitor cells
aMedizinische Klinik I, Kardiologie, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg, Julius-Maximilians-Universität, Josef-Schneider Str. 2, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
bKlinische Pharmakologie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neuberg Str. 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany
* Corresponding authors. Email address: thum_t{at}klinik.uni-wuerzburg.de bauersachs_j{at}medizin.uni-wuerzburg.de
Objective Standard drugs post-myocardial infarction (MI) such as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) increase levels of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC). However, potential underlying mechanisms have not yet been investigated.
Methods and results We studied the effects of ACE inhibition or statin treatment on EPC levels and on bone marrow molecular pathways involved in EPC mobilization after MI in rats. Three days post-infarction, acetylated LDL (acLDL)+/Ulex europeus-1 (UEA-1)+/VEGF receptor-2+/eNOS+EPC levels and formation of endothelial colony forming units (CFU) were reduced to 60±12% (p<0.05) and 68±7% (p<0.05). In bone marrow, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 activity were repressed. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity was unchanged, whereas reactive oxygen species (ROS) were increased two-fold in bone marrow. ACE or HMG-CoA reductase inhibition resulted in significant increases in EPC levels. ACE inhibition increased bone marrow ERK phosphorylation and MMP-9 activity. Statin therapy enhanced bone marrow VEGF protein levels, Akt phosphorylation, eNOS activity and normalized increased ROS levels. Augmented EPC levels in the early post-infarction phase by ACE inhibition or statin treatment were associated with improved cardiac function and increased capillary density in the peri-infarct area 7 days after MI. Moreover, increased EPC levels in response to ACE inhibition or statin treatment were sustained 10 weeks post-infarction.
Conclusions Increased ROS and impaired MMP-9 activity in bone marrow likely contribute to reduced EPC mobilization in the early post-infarction phase. ACE inhibition or statin treatment increased EPC levels with distinct drug-specific effects on bone marrow molecular alterations.
KEYWORDS Myocardial infarction; Endothelial progenitor cells; Stem cells; Drug therapy; Bone marrow
Abbreviations: eNOS, endothelial nitric oxide synthase EPC, endothelial progenitor cells ERK, extracellular signal-regulated kinase CAD, coronary artery disease FCS, fetal calf serum MMP, matrix metalloproteinase NO, nitric oxide ROS, reactive oxygen species VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor
1 Both authors contributed equally.
Time for primary review 22 days
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