No abstract

ObjectivesTo determine the number of CD34+/CD144+ cells in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients, compared to valvular patients and healthy controls, and the apoptotic effect of their plasma on peripheral blood‐derived angiogenic early outgrowth cells (EOCs) from healthy donors.MethodsCD34+/CD144+ cell counts were assessed by cell cytometry from peripheral blood mononuclear cells. EOCs were separated by ficcoll gradient and cultured on fibronectin using microvascular medium. Protein expression in EOCs was determined by Western blot.ResultsWe found a lower number of CD34+/CD144+ cells in CABG patients compared to valvular patients, but a higher number compared to controls. Being bypass or valvular had a strong and independent association with CD34+/CD144+ even after the P was adjusted by the number of comparisons. Plasma from CABG patients decreased apoptosis in cultured EOCs from healthy donors (day 7). This effect was abrogated by the transforming growth factor‐beta 1 (TGF‐b1) blockers SIS3 and SB‐431542. Of note, prior to apoptosis protection, plasma from bypass patients was able to upregulate the expression of both CD34 and CD144 at day 4 of isolation.ConclusionBypass patients, which a high degree of ischemia and previous infarct rate, have a suboptimal release of CD34+/CD144+ despite a TGF‐beta‐mediated protective effect of their plasma on cultured EOCs.