Influence of growth factors and cytokines on angiogenic function of endothelial progenitor cells: a review ofin vitrohuman studies

Abstract

Growth factors and cytokines released at sites of injury and inflammation play an important role in stimulating endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) migration to these sites. A comparative analysis of the literature shows under neutral in vitro conditions (pH 7.4), several growth factors and cytokines influenced favorably indices of EPC angiogenic function. They included SDF-1, VEGF, PlGF, FGF-2, NGF and IL-1β. Others, e.g. TNF-α, have an unfavorable influence. SDF-1 and VEGF in combination increased chemotactic cell migration and reduced apoptosis caused by serum starvation. Under acidic conditions (pH 6.5), the biological activity of certain growth factors may be impaired, although TPO, SCF and IL-3 were each able to rescue EPCs from acidic exposure apoptosis, a combination of these three factors stimulated cell proliferation and prevented apoptosis. Possible combinations of growth factors and cytokines together with EPC transplantation may provide for a greater extent of vessel repair and new vessel formation.

Ultrahigh dose gentamicin alters inflammation and angiogenesis in vivo and in vitro

“…Interestingly, although these cells are also pro‐angiogenic, their increased presence did not positively impact pro‐angiogenic genes. Instead, both VEGF and CXCL12, which are implicated in the recruitment, arrangement, and proliferation of endothelial cells, are downregulated …”

Interleukin-10 overexpression improves the function of endothelial progenitor cells stimulated with TNF-α through the activation of the STAT3 signaling pathway

“…TNF-α is one of the critical pro-inflammatory cytokines. Peplow (22) reported that TNF-α has an unfavorable influence on cell migration and apoptosis. In order to further study the influence of IL-10 on EPCs, EPC functions were tested under the inflammatory microenvironment induced by TNF-α.…”

CCN1 Promotes VEGF Production in Osteoblasts and Induces Endothelial Progenitor Cell Angiogenesis by Inhibiting miR-126 Expression in Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…(11,12) Recruited endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from the bone marrow migrate to and differentiate into mature endothelial cells at the relevant sites of inflammation, where the cells are incorporated into blood vessel repair and neovascularization. (13) VEGF not only promotes angiogenesis by inducing proliferation, migration and capillary-like tube formation of EPCs (14,15) ; accumulating evidence reveals that VEGF is regulated by microRNAs (miRNAs) at multiple levels during angiogenesis. (16,17) These miRNAs are small, noncoding RNA molecules that control gene expression, map to introns of protein-coding genes, and function as key posttranscriptional regulators of gene expression and RNA silencing.…”