Transforming growth factor-β1/Thrombospondin-1/CD47 axis mediates dysfunction in CD34 cells derived from diabetic older adults.

Aging with diabetes is associated with impaired vasoprotective functions and decreased nitric oxide (NO) generation in CD34 cells. Transforming growth factor- β1 (TGF-β1) is known to regulate hematopoietic functions. This study tested the hypothesis that transforming growth factor- β1 (TGF-β1) is upregulated in diabetic CD34 cells and impairs NO generation via thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1)/CD47/NO pathway.

ACE2 gene transfer ameliorates vasoreparative dysfunction in CD34+ cells derived from diabetic older adults.

Diabetes increases the risk for ischemic vascular diseases, which is further elevated in older adults. Bone marrow-derived hematopoietic CD34+ stem/progenitor cells have the potential of revascularization; however, diabetes attenuates vasoreparative functions. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the vasoprotective enzyme of renin-angiotensin system in contrast with the canonical angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE).