Work

Role of β2-integrins for homing and neovascularization capacity of endothelial progenitor cells

Year: 2004

Type: article

Abstract: The mechanisms of homing of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) to sites of ischemia are unclear. Here, we demonstrate that ex vivo-expanded EPCs as well as murine hematopoietic Sca-1+/Lin- progenitor cells express beta2-integrins, which mediate the adhesion of EPCs to endothelial cell monolayers and their chemokine-induced transendothelial migration in vitro. In a murine model of hind limb ischemia, Sca-1+/Lin- hematopoietic progenitor cells from beta2-integrin-deficient mice are less capable of homing to sites of ischemia and of improving neovascularization. Preactivation of the beta2-integrins expressed on EPCs by activating antibodies augments the EPC-induced neovascularization in vivo. These results provide evidence for a novel function of beta2-integrins in postnatal vasculogenesis.

Source: The Journal of Experimental Medicine

DOI: 10.1084/jem.20041402