Accelerated senescence of cord blood endothelial progenitor cells in premature neonates is driven by SIRT1 decreased expression.

Epidemiological and experimental studies indicate that early vascular dysfunction occurs in low-birth-weight subjects, especially preterm (PT) infants. We recently reported impaired angiogenic activity of endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) in this condition. We hypothesized that ECFC dysfunction in PT might result from premature senescence and investigated the underlying mechanisms.

Altered angiogenesis in low birth weight individuals: a role for anti-angiogenic circulating factors.

Objective: Low birth weight (LBW) is a risk factor for hypertension at adulthood. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) dysfunction has been characterized in LBW neonates. We hypothesized that changes in soluble, plasma pro- or anti-angiogenic factors are associated with EPCs dysfunction and impaired angiogenesis in LBW neonates.

Leukocyte- and endothelial-derived microparticles: a circulating source for fibrinolysis.

Background: We recently assigned a new fibrinolytic function to cell-derived microparticles in vitro. In this study we explored the relevance of this novel property of microparticles to the in vivo situation.

Design And Methods: Circulating microparticles were isolated from the plasma of patients with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura or cardiovascular disease and from healthy subjects.

A switch toward angiostatic gene expression impairs the angiogenic properties of endothelial progenitor cells in low birth weight preterm infants.

Low birth weight (LBW) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases at adulthood. Nevertheless, the impact of LBW on the endothelium is not clearly established. We investigate whether LBW alters the angiogenic properties of cord blood endothelial colony forming cells (LBW-ECFCs) in 25 preterm neonates compared with 25 term neonates (CT-ECFCs).

Endothelial-derived microparticles: Biological conveyors at the crossroad of inflammation, thrombosis and angiogenesis.

Endothelial microparticles (EMP) are complex vesicular structures that can be shed by activated or apoptotic endothelial cells. EMP are composed of a phospholipid bilayer that exposes transmembrane proteins and receptors and encloses cytosolic components such as enzymes, transcription factors and mRNA derived from their parent cells. Thus, EMP behave as biological conveyors playing a key role in the tuning of vascular homeostasis.

TRAIL/Apo2L mediates the release of procoagulant endothelial microparticles induced by thrombin in vitro: a potential mechanism linking inflammation and coagulation.

Microparticles are small vesicles playing a crucial role in cell communication by promoting prothrombotic and proinflammatory responses. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying their release are still elusive. We previously established that thrombin promoted the generation of endothelial microparticles (EMPs).

Thrombin-induced endothelial microparticle generation: identification of a novel pathway involving ROCK-II activation by caspase-2.

Thrombin exerts pleiotropic effects on endothelial cells, including the release of microparticles (EMPs) that disseminate and exchange information with vascular cells. Nevertheless, the mechanisms leading to their generation are not elucidated. We performed microarray analysis to identify genes involved in EMP release by the endothelial cell line HMEC-1 in response to thrombin.

Role of reactive oxygen species and p38 MAPK in the induction of the pro-adhesive endothelial state mediated by IgG from patients with anti-phospholipid syndrome.

The association of the presence of anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL) with thrombosis characterizes the anti-phospholipid syndrome (APS). The activation of the endothelium is a key event in the establishment of the thrombophilic state. However, the intracellular mechanisms leading to endothelial dysfunction are not fully elucidated.

P-cresol, a uremic retention solute, alters the endothelial barrier function in vitro.

Patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) exhibit endothelial dysfunction, which may involve uremic retention solutes that accumulate in blood and tissues. In this study, we investigated the in vitro effect of the uremic retention solute p-cresol on the barrier function of endothelial cells (HUVEC). P-cresol was tested at concentrations found in CRF patients, and since p-cresol is protein-bound, experiments were performed with and without physiological concentration of human albumin (4 g/dl).

Endothelial microparticles: a potential contribution to the thrombotic complications of the antiphospholipid syndrome.

The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) refers to persistent anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL) associated with thrombotic and/or obstetrical complications. The endothelial cell is a target of aPL which can induce a procoagulant and proinflammatory endothelial phenotype, as reported both in vivo and in vitro. Microparticle production is a hallmark of cell activation.

Soluble CD146, a novel endothelial marker, is increased in physiopathological settings linked to endothelial junctional alteration.

CD146, a novel cell adhesion molecule localized at the endothelial junction, is involved in the control of cell-cell cohesion. It is found as a soluble form in conditioned medium of cultured endothelial cells. We developed an ELISA and report for the first time the presence of a soluble form of CD146 (sCD146) in the plasma of healthy subjects.

Interaction of endothelial microparticles with monocytic cells in vitro induces tissue factor-dependent procoagulant activity.

In the present study we investigated whether endothelial microparticles (EMPs) can bind to monocytic THP-1 cells and modulate their procoagulant properties. Using flow cytometry, we demonstrated that EMPs express adhesive receptors similar to those expressed by activated endothelial cells. Expression of endothelial antigens by THP-1 cells incubated with EMP was shown by immunoperoxidase staining and flow cytometry using antibodies directed against E-selectin, VCAM-1, and endoglin.