Donate Help Contact The AHA Sign In Home
American Heart Association
Circulation Research
Search: search_blue_button Advanced Search
Circulation Research. 2003;92:1049-1055
Published online before print April 3, 2003, doi: 10.1161/01.RES.0000070067.64040.7C
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow All Versions of this Article:
92/9/1049    most recent
01.RES.0000070067.64040.7Cv1
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Right arrow Citation Map
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Assmus, B.
Right arrow Articles by Dimmeler, S.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Assmus, B.
Right arrow Articles by Dimmeler, S.
Related Collections
Right arrow Ischemic biology - basic studies
Right arrow Smooth muscle proliferation and differentiation
(Circulation Research. 2003;92:1049.)
© 2003 American Heart Association, Inc.


Molecular Medicine

HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors Reduce Senescence and Increase Proliferation of Endothelial Progenitor Cells via Regulation of Cell Cycle Regulatory Genes

Birgit Assmus*, Carmen Urbich*, Alexandra Aicher, Wolf K. Hofmann, Judith Haendeler, Lothar Rössig, Ioakim Spyridopoulos, Andreas M. Zeiher, Stefanie Dimmeler

From Molecular Cardiology, Departments of Internal Medicine IV (B.A., C.U., A.A., J.H., L.R., I.S., A.M.Z., S.D.) and Hematology and Oncology (W.K.H.), University of Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany.

Correspondence to Stefanie Dimmeler, PhD, Molecular Cardiology, Dept of Internal Medicine IV, University of Frankfurt, Theodor Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany. E-mail Dimmeler{at}em.uni-frankfurt.de

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play an important role in postnatal neovascularization of ischemic tissue. Ex vivo expansion of EPCs might be useful for potential clinical cell therapy of myocardial ischemia. However, cultivation of primary cells leads to cellular aging (senescence), thereby severely limiting the proliferative capacity. Therefore, we investigated whether statins might be able to prevent senescence of EPCs. EPCs were isolated from peripheral blood and characterized. After ex vivo cultivation, EPCs became senescent as determined by acidic ß-galactosidase staining. Atorvastatin or mevastatin dose-dependently inhibited the onset of EPC senescence in culture. Moreover, atorvastatin increased proliferation of EPCs as assessed by BrdU incorporation and colony-forming capacity. Whereas geranylgeranylpyrophosphate or farnesylpyrophosphate reduced the senescence inhibitory effect of atorvastatin, NO synthase inhibition, antioxidants, or Rho kinase inhibitors had no effect. To get further insights into the underlying downstream effects of statins, we measured telomerase activity and determined the expression of various cell cycle regulatory genes by using a microarray assay. Whereas telomerase activity did not change, atorvastatin modulated expression of cell cycle genes including upregulation of cyclins and downregulation of the cell cycle inhibitor p27Kip1. Taken together, statins inhibited senescence of EPCs independent of NO, reactive oxygen species, and Rho kinase, but dependent on geranylgeranylpyrophosphate. Atorvastatin-mediated prevention of EPC senescence appears to be mediated by the regulation of various cell cycle proteins. The inhibition of EPC senescence and induction of EPC proliferation by statins in vitro may importantly improve the functional activity of EPCs for potential cell therapy.


Key Words: aging • telomerase • statins • progenitor cells • angiogenesis




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
P.-H. Huang, Y.-H. Chen, C.-H. Wang, J.-S. Chen, H.-Y. Tsai, F.-Y. Lin, W.-Y. Lo, T.-C. Wu, M. Sata, J.-W. Chen, et al.
Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Is Essential for Ischemia-Induced Neovascularization by Modulating Bone Marrow-Derived Endothelial Progenitor Cells
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, August 1, 2009; 29(8): 1179 - 1184.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
FASEB J.Home page
Y. Zhang, B.-S. Herbert, G. Rajashekhar, D. A. Ingram, M. C. Yoder, M. Clauss, and J. Rehman
Premature senescence of highly proliferative endothelial progenitor cells is induced by tumor necrosis factor-{alpha} via the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway
FASEB J, May 1, 2009; 23(5): 1358 - 1365.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart JHome page
A. M. Leone, M. Valgimigli, M. B. Giannico, V. Zaccone, M. Perfetti, D. D'Amario, A. G. Rebuzzi, and F. Crea
From bone marrow to the arterial wall: the ongoing tale of endothelial progenitor cells
Eur. Heart J., April 2, 2009; 30(8): 890 - 899.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J CARDIOVASC PHARMACOL THERHome page
M. Pirro, G. Schillaci, P. F. Romagno, M. R. Mannarino, F. Bagaglia, R. Razzi, L. Pasqualini, G. Vaudo, and E. Mannarino
Influence of Short-term Rosuvastatin Therapy on Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Endothelial Function
Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, March 1, 2009; 14(1): 14 - 21.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
J. Appl. Physiol.Home page
J. D. Erusalimsky
Vascular endothelial senescence: from mechanisms to pathophysiology
J Appl Physiol, January 1, 2009; 106(1): 326 - 332.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
HypertensionHome page
F. Sanada, Y. Taniyama, J. Azuma, K. Iekushi, N. Dosaka, T. Yokoi, N. Koibuchi, H. Kusunoki, Y. Aizawa, and R. Morishita
Hepatocyte Growth Factor, but not Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Attenuates Angiotensin II-Induced Endothelial Progenitor Cell Senescence
Hypertension, January 1, 2009; 53(1): 77 - 82.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Circ. Res.Home page
M. R. Ward, J. Lavoie, and D. J. Stewart
"B2 or not B2?": Kinin Receptors and Endothelial Progenitor Cell Dysfunction
Circ. Res., November 21, 2008; 103(11): 1202 - 1203.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Eur Heart JHome page
P. E. Westerweel, F. L.J. Visseren, G. R. Hajer, J. K. Olijhoek, I. E. Hoefer, P. de Bree, S. Rafii, P. A. Doevendans, and M. C. Verhaar
Endothelial progenitor cell levels in obese men with the metabolic syndrome and the effect of simvastatin monotherapy vs. simvastatin/ezetimibe combination therapy
Eur. Heart J., November 2, 2008; 29(22): 2808 - 2817.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Ther Adv Cardiovasc DisHome page
M. Pirro, F. Bagaglia, L. Paoletti, R. Razzi, and M. R. Mannarino
Review: Hypercholesterolemia-associated endothelial progenitor cell dysfunction
Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease, October 1, 2008; 2(5): 329 - 339.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
Ther Adv Cardiovasc DisHome page
T. J. Povsic and P. J. Goldschmidt-Clermont
Review: Endothelial progenitor cells: markers of vascular reparative capacity
Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease, June 1, 2008; 2(3): 199 - 213.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
T. Fujii, M. Onimaru, Y. Yonemitsu, H. Kuwano, and K. Sueishi
Statins restore ischemic limb blood flow in diabetic microangiopathy via eNOS/NO upregulation but not via PDGF-BB expression
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, June 1, 2008; 294(6): H2785 - H2791.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Lung Cell. Mol. Physiol.Home page
S. Takahashi, H. Nakamura, M. Seki, Y. Shiraishi, M. Yamamoto, M. Furuuchi, T. Nakajima, S. Tsujimura, T. Shirahata, M. Nakamura, et al.
Reversal of elastase-induced pulmonary emphysema and promotion of alveolar epithelial cell proliferation by simvastatin in mice
Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol, May 1, 2008; 294(5): L882 - L890.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
NeurologyHome page
S. -T. Lee, K. Chu, K. -H. Jung, D. -H. Kim, E. -H. Kim, V. N. Choe, J. -H. Kim, W. -S. Im, L. Kang, J. -E. Park, et al.
Decreased number and function of endothelial progenitor cells in patients with migraine
Neurology, April 22, 2008; 70(17): 1510 - 1517.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
K. Ramasubbu, J. Estep, D. L. White, A. Deswal, and D. L. Mann
Experimental and clinical basis for the use of statins in patients with ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy.
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., January 29, 2008; 51(4): 415 - 426.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
HeartHome page
W Wojakowski, M Kucia, M Kazmierski, M Z Ratajczak, and M Tendera
Circulating progenitor cells in stable coronary heart disease and acute coronary syndromes: relevant reparatory mechanism?
Heart, January 1, 2008; 94(1): 27 - 33.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
DiabetesHome page
Y.-H. Chen, S.-J. Lin, F.-Y. Lin, T.-C. Wu, C.-R. Tsao, P.-H. Huang, P.-L. Liu, Y.-L. Chen, and J.-W. Chen
High Glucose Impairs Early and Late Endothelial Progenitor Cells by Modifying Nitric Oxide-Related but Not Oxidative Stress-Mediated Mechanisms
Diabetes, June 1, 2007; 56(6): 1559 - 1568.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
E. Shantsila, T. Watson, and G. Y.H. Lip
Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Cardiovascular Disorders
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., February 20, 2007; 49(7): 741 - 752.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Circ. Res.Home page
T. Thum, S. Hoeber, S. Froese, I. Klink, D. O. Stichtenoth, P. Galuppo, M. Jakob, D. Tsikas, S. D. Anker, P. A. Poole-Wilson, et al.
Age-Dependent Impairment of Endothelial Progenitor Cells Is Corrected by Growth Hormone Mediated Increase of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1
Circ. Res., February 16, 2007; 100(3): 434 - 443.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Circ. Res.Home page
T. Minamino and I. Komuro
Vascular Cell Senescence: Contribution to Atherosclerosis
Circ. Res., January 5, 2007; 100(1): 15 - 26.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
J. Honold, R. Lehmann, C. Heeschen, D. H. Walter, B. Assmus, K.-I. Sasaki, H. Martin, J. Haendeler, A. M. Zeiher, and S. Dimmeler
Effects of Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor on Functional Activities of Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Patients With Chronic Ischemic Heart Disease
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, October 1, 2006; 26(10): 2238 - 2243.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Ann. Thorac. Surg.Home page
T.-S. Li, M. Takahashi, R. Suzuki, T. Kobayashi, H. Ito, A. Mikamo, and K. Hamano
Pravastatin Improves Remodeling and Cardiac Function After Myocardial Infarction by an Antiinflammatory Mechanism Rather than by the Induction of Angiogenesis
Ann. Thorac. Surg., June 1, 2006; 81(6): 2217 - 2225.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
R. S. Vasan
Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Disease: Molecular Basis and Practical Considerations
Circulation, May 16, 2006; 113(19): 2335 - 2362.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
J. Chen and M. S. Goligorsky
Premature senescence of endothelial cells: Methusaleh's dilemma
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, May 1, 2006; 290(5): H1729 - H1739.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
T.-S. Li, A. Furutani, M. Takahashi, M. Ohshima, S.-L. Qin, T. Kobayashi, H. Ito, and K. Hamano
Impaired potency of bone marrow mononuclear cells for inducing therapeutic angiogenesis in obese diabetic rats
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, April 1, 2006; 290(4): H1362 - H1369.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
P. J. Goldschmidt-Clermont, M. A. Creager, D. W. Lorsordo, G. K.W. Lam, M. Wassef, and V. J. Dzau
Atherosclerosis 2005: Recent Discoveries and Novel Hypotheses
Circulation, November 22, 2005; 112(21): 3348 - 3353.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
G. Kanaganayagam and M. S. Marber
ADMAring Endothelial Progenitor Cells: Accident, Association, or Antecedent
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., November 1, 2005; 46(9): 1702 - 1704.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J Am Coll CardiolHome page
K. K. Ray and C. P. Cannon
The Potential Relevance of the Multiple Lipid-Independent (Pleiotropic) Effects of Statins in the Management of Acute Coronary Syndromes
J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., October 18, 2005; 46(8): 1425 - 1433.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
HypertensionHome page
V. J. Dzau, M. Gnecchi, A. S. Pachori, F. Morello, and L. G. Melo
Therapeutic Potential of Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Cardiovascular Diseases
Hypertension, July 1, 2005; 46(1): 7 - 18.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
C. Schmidt-Lucke, L. Rossig, S. Fichtlscherer, M. Vasa, M. Britten, U. Kamper, S. Dimmeler, and A. M. Zeiher
Reduced Number of Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells Predicts Future Cardiovascular Events: Proof of Concept for the Clinical Importance of Endogenous Vascular Repair
Circulation, June 7, 2005; 111(22): 2981 - 2987.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
A. Lerman and A. M. Zeiher
Endothelial Function: Cardiac Events
Circulation, January 25, 2005; 111(3): 363 - 368.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Cardiovasc ResHome page
I. Spyridopoulos
Understanding the molecular and cellular basis of therapeutic stem and progenitor cell transplantation for tissue revascularization
Cardiovasc Res, January 1, 2005; 65(1): 6 - 7.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
D. Torella, D. Leosco, C. Indolfi, A. Curcio, C. Coppola, G. M. Ellison, V. G. Russo, M. Torella, G. L. Volti, F. Rengo, et al.
Aging exacerbates negative remodeling and impairs endothelial regeneration after balloon injury
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, December 1, 2004; 287(6): H2850 - H2860.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
BloodHome page
E. Dernbach, C. Urbich, R. P. Brandes, W. K. Hofmann, A. M. Zeiher, and S. Dimmeler
Antioxidative stress-associated genes in circulating progenitor cells: evidence for enhanced resistance against oxidative stress
Blood, December 1, 2004; 104(12): 3591 - 3597.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
I. Spyridopoulos, J. Haendeler, C. Urbich, T. H. Brummendorf, H. Oh, M. D. Schneider, A. M. Zeiher, and S. Dimmeler
Statins Enhance Migratory Capacity by Upregulation of the Telomere Repeat-Binding Factor TRF2 in Endothelial Progenitor Cells
Circulation, November 9, 2004; 110(19): 3136 - 3142.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
U. Landmesser, N. Engberding, F. H. Bahlmann, A. Schaefer, A. Wiencke, A. Heineke, S. Spiekermann, D. Hilfiker-Kleiner, C. Templin, D. Kotlarz, et al.
Statin-Induced Improvement of Endothelial Progenitor Cell Mobilization, Myocardial Neovascularization, Left Ventricular Function, and Survival After Experimental Myocardial Infarction Requires Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase
Circulation, October 5, 2004; 110(14): 1933 - 1939.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Bio.Home page
L. G. Melo, M. Gnecchi, A. S. Pachori, D. Kong, K. Wang, X. Liu, R. E. Pratt, and V. J. Dzau
Endothelium-Targeted Gene and Cell-Based Therapies for Cardiovascular Disease
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol, October 1, 2004; 24(10): 1761 - 1774.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Circ. Res.Home page
C. Urbich and S. Dimmeler
Endothelial Progenitor Cells: Characterization and Role in Vascular Biology
Circ. Res., August 20, 2004; 95(4): 343 - 353.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
G. H. Gibbons, C. C. Liew, M. O. Goodarzi, J. I. Rotter, W. A. Hsueh, H. M. Siragy, R. Pratt, and V. J. Dzau
Genetic Markers: Progress and Potential for Cardiovascular Disease
Circulation, June 29, 2004; 109(25_suppl_1): IV-47 - IV-58.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Am. J. Physiol. Heart Circ. Physiol.Home page
C. Wang, C. Jiao, H. D. Hanlon, W. Zheng, R. J. Tomanek, and G. C. Schatteman
Mechanical, cellular, and molecular factors interact to modulate circulating endothelial cell progenitors
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, May 1, 2004; 286(5): H1985 - H1993.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
Circ. Res.Home page
J. Haendeler, J. Hoffmann, J. F. Diehl, M. Vasa, I. Spyridopoulos, A. M. Zeiher, and S. Dimmeler
Antioxidants Inhibit Nuclear Export of Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase and Delay Replicative Senescence of Endothelial Cells
Circ. Res., April 2, 2004; 94(6): 768 - 775.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
C. Urbich, C. Heeschen, A. Aicher, E. Dernbach, A. M. Zeiher, and S. Dimmeler
Relevance of Monocytic Features for Neovascularization Capacity of Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells
Circulation, November 18, 2003; 108(20): 2511 - 2516.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
P. E. Szmitko, C.-H. Wang, R. D. Weisel, G. A. Jeffries, T. J. Anderson, and S. Verma
Biomarkers of Vascular Disease Linking Inflammation to Endothelial Activation: Part II
Circulation, October 28, 2003; 108(17): 2041 - 2048.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
CirculationHome page
P. E. Szmitko, P. W.M. Fedak, R. D. Weisel, D. J. Stewart, M. J.B. Kutryk, and S. Verma
Endothelial Progenitor Cells: New Hope for a Broken Heart
Circulation, June 24, 2003; 107(24): 3093 - 3100.
[Full Text] [PDF]