Circulating endothelial progenitor cells and depression: a possible novel link between heart and soul

Abstract

Although depression is known to be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disorders, the mechanisms behind this connection are not well understood. However, the reduction in the number of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in patients with cardiovascular risk factors has led us to hypothesize that depression influences the number of EPCs. EPCs labeled with CD34, CD133 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2) antibodies were counted by flow cytometry in the peripheral blood (PB) of 33 patients with a current episode of major depression and of 16 control subjects. Mature (CD34 þ /VEGFR2 þ ) and immature (CD133 þ / VEGFR2 þ ) EPC counts were decreased in patients (vs controls; P < 0.01 for both comparisons), and there was a significant inverse relationship between EPC levels and the severity of depressive symptoms (P < 0.01 for both EPC phenotypes). Additionally, we assayed the plasma levels of VEGF, C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a and observed significantly elevated TNF-a concentrations in patients (vs controls; P < 0.05) and, moreover, a significant inverse correlation between TNF-a and EPC levels (P < 0.05). Moreover, by means of a quantitative RT-PCR approach, we measured CD34, CD133 and VEGFR2 mRNA levels of PB samples and found a net trend toward a decrease in all the investigated EPC-specific mRNA levels in patients as compared with controls. However, statistical significance was reached only for VEGFR2 and CD133 levels (P < 0.01 for both markers). This is the first paper that demonstrates evidence of decreased numbers of circulating EPCs in patients with a current episode of major depression.

Low tumor necrosis factor‐α levels predict symptom reduction during electroconvulsive therapy in major depressive disorder

“…There has been a wide variation in TNFα levels in different studies. However, some of these have reported similar ranges of plasma TNFα levels in depressed patients compared to those in the present study (Dome et al., 2009; O′Donovan et al., 2013). …”

A case report on the use of sustained release platelet-rich plasma for the treatment of chronic pressure ulcers

“…The senescent state and reduced vascularity of these ulcers, coupled with a hypothetical reduction in peripheral blood stem cell content in chronic SCI as seen in other chronic diseases such as depression, hypothyroidism and atherosclerotic disease, may contribute to further delays in ulcer healing despite growth factor stimulation. [21][22][23] However, both undermined ulcers demonstrated a reduction in volume and an increase in granulation tissue with vascularity to suggest that they might respond to surgical flap care with more favorable responses than prior to the PRP treatments.…”

Endothelial progenitor cells and vascular health: effects of lifestyle’s modifications

“…A supporto di questa ipotesi, nel 2009 sono stati riportati dei dati relativi al numero delle cellule progenitrici endoteliali in 33 pazienti con un episodio recente di depressione maggiore confrontandoli con 16 soggetti sani [34]. Il numero delle CEP risultava significativamente diminuito nei pazienti con depressione rispetto ai controlli ed inoltre esisteva una significativa relazione inversa tra il numero delle CEP e la severità dei sintomi depressivi.…”