Levels and values of circulating endothelial progenitor cells, soluble angiogenic factors, and mononuclear cell apoptosis in liver cirrhosis patients

Chih Hung Chen, Li Teh Chang, Wei Chih Tung, Yung Lung Chen, Chia Lo Chang, Steve Leu, Cheuk Kwan Sun, Tzu Hsien Tsai, I. Ting Tsai, Hsueh Wen Chang, Hon Kan Yip*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: The roles of circulating endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) and mononuclear cell apoptosis (MCA) in liver cirrhosis (LC) patients are unknown. Moreover, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and stromal cell-derived factor (SDF)-1α are powerful endogenous substances enhancing EPC migration into circulation. We assessed the level and function of EPCs [CD31/CD34 (E 1), KDR/CD34 (E2), CXCR4/CD34 (E3)], levels of MCA, VEGF and SDF-1α in circulation of LC patients. Methods: Blood sample was prospectively collected once for assessing EPC level and function, MCA, and plasma levels of VEGF and SDF-1α using flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively, in 78 LC patients and 25 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Results: Number of EPCs (E1, E 2, E3) was lower (all p<0.0001), whereas SDF-1α level and MCA were higher (p<0.001) in study patients compared with healthy controls. Number of EPCs (E2, E3) was higher but MCA was lower (all p<0.05) in Child's class A compared with Child's class B and C patients, although no difference in VEGF and SDF-1α levels were noted among these patients. Chronic hepatitis B and esophageal varices bleeding were independently, whereas chronic hepatitis C, elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and decompensated LC were inversely and independently correlated with circulating EPC level (all p<0.03). Additionally, angiogenesis and transwell migratory ability of EPCs were reduced in LC patients than in controls (all p<0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that level, angiogenic capacity, and function of circulating EPCs were significantly reduced, whereas plasma levels of SDF-1α and circulating MCA were substantially enhanced in cirrhotic patients.

Original languageEnglish
Article number66
JournalJournal of Biomedical Science
Volume19
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2012

Keywords

  • Angiogenesis factors
  • Cellular apoptosis
  • Circulating endothelial progenitor cells
  • Liver cirrhosis

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