Evidence of dysfunction of endothelial progenitors in pulmonary arterial hypertension.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by the formation of plexiform lesions and concentric intimal fibrosis in small pulmonary arteries. The origin of cells contributing to these vascular lesions is uncertain. Endogenous endothelial progenitor cells are potential contributors to this process.

Objectives

To determine whether progenitors are involved in the pathobiology of PAH.

Methods

We performed immunohistochemistry to determine the expression of progenitor cell markers (CD133 and c-Kit) and the major homing signal pathway stromal cell-derived factor-1 and its chemokine receptor (CXCR4) in lung tissue from patients with idiopathic PAH, familial PAH, and PAH associated with congenital heart disease. Two separate flow cytometric method

SUBMITTER: Toshner M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2778151 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature