Characterization of Human Aortic Endothelial Cells, Endothelial Progenitor Cells, and Cardiomyocytes

Abstract

Despite advances in therapy, heart failure remains a significant disease burden, with poor outcomes, worldwide. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) damage cardiomyocytes. Endothelial progenitor cells promote the repair of the endothelium of arteries damaged by ROS. However, gene expression profiles of Human Aortic Endothelial Cells (HAECs), Endothelial Progenitor Cells (HEPCs), and Cardiomyocytes (HCMs) are unclear. In the present study, we determined the expression profiles of different genes in HAECs, HEPCs, and HCMs by performing quantitative PCR. Results showed that p53 and Cx37 were up-regulated, but VEGF, Cx43, and eNOS were down-regulated in HEPCs. Cx40 and eNOS were up-regulated in HAECs. Moreover, we determined the effect of hydrogen peroxide-derived ROS on HCMs. Results showed that Cx40, Cx45, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, p53, and p21 were up-regulated, but E-cadherin was down-regulated after high concentration of hydrogen peroxide treatment.