Semin Thromb Hemost 2010; 36(2): 139-145
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1251497
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Platelet Aggregates-Induced Human CD34+ Progenitor Cell Proliferation and Differentiation to Macrophages and Foam Cells Is Mediated by Stromal Cell Derived Factor 1 in Vitro

Konstantinos Stellos1 , Peter Seizer1 , Boris Bigalke1 , Karin Daub1 , Tobias Geisler1 , Meinrad Gawaz1
  • 1Medizinische Klinik III, Kardiologie und Kreislauferkrankungen, Eberhard Karls-Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Publikationsdatum:
22. April 2010 (online)

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ABSTRACT

The chemokine stromal cell derived factor 1 (SDF-1) regulates chemotactic recruitment (homing) and differentiation of CD34+ stem cells. Platelets express substantial amounts of SDF-1 upon activation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of SDF-1 in platelet-induced proliferation and differentiation of human CD34+ cells to macrophages and foam cells, as well as in regulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 secretion. Co-culture experiments of platelet thrombi (2 × 108/mL) with human CD34+ progenitor cells resulted in platelet phagocytosis by the latter, causing their differentiation into CD68-positive macrophages and subsequent Sudan red III–positive foam cells. Platelet aggregates-induced foam cell generation and MMP-9 secretion were attenuated by a neutralizing monoclonal antibody against platelet-derived SDF-1, as evaluated by immunofluorescence microscopy and gelatin zymography. Co-culture experiments of human arterial endothelial cells and human CD34+ progenitor cells resulted in a fourfold increased proliferation of CD34+ cells in the presence of platelets being mainly regulated by platelet-derived SDF-1 in vitro. These findings imply that in the presence of platelet thrombi, CD34+ progenitor cells phagocytize platelets in an SDF-1 dependent manner, causing their differentiation into macrophages and then foam cells, a mechanism most likely contributing to atherogenesis and atheroprogression.

REFERENCES

Konstantinos StellosM.D. 
Meinrad GawazM.D. 

Medizinische Klinik III, Kardiologie und Kreislauferkrankungen, Eberhard Karls-Universität Tübingen

Otfried-Müller Str.10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany

eMail: konstantinos.stellos@med.uni-tuebingen.de

eMail: meinrad.gawaz@med.uni-tuebingen.de