Changes In The Number And Activity Of Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells In Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome

Objective To investigate changes in the number and activity of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods Total mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation from patients with ACS ( n=26) and matched control subjects (n=14). Then the cells were plated on fibronectin-coated culture dishes. EPCs were identified as adherent cells double positive for DiLDL-uptake and lectin binding by direct fluorescent staining under a laser scanning confocal microscope. EPCs were further documented by demonstrating the expression of VEGFR-2, AC133 and CD34 with flow cytometry. EPCs proliferation was assayed by MTT assay. EPCs adhesion assay was performed by replating them on fibronectin-coated dishes, and then adherent cells were counted. IL-8, SDF-1 in the cell culture supernatant of EPCs were determined by ELISA.Results The number of EPCs was significantly increased in subjects with ACS compared with that of matched control subjects (50.56±10.45 vs 74.63±10.33 EPCs/ ×200 field, P=0.001). In addition, the functional activities of EPCs such as proliferative and adhesive capacity were impaired in patients with ACS. The releaseof IL-8, SDF-1 protein into the cell culture supernatant of EPCs was alsodiminished.Conclusion The present study demonstrated that the number of EPCs wasincreased while the functional activities of circulating EPCs such as proliferative,adhesive and secretive capacity were impaired in subjects with ACS.