CD34+ and CD34+VEGFR2+ cells in poorly controlled hypertensive patients.

CD34+ and CD34+VEGFR2+ cells participate in the repair of damaged endothelium and vascular remodelling. As their number and activity change due to the development of cardiovascular diseases, they are recognised as useful markers of cardiovascular health. As ineffective blood pressure control concerns high percentage of hypertensive patients, the purpose of our study was to investigate if proportions of various CD34+ and CD34+VEGFR2+ populations change due to hypertension occurrence and the effectiveness of the therapy. We also wanted to establish which factors impact these cells. Circulating populations of CD34+ and CD34+VEGFR2+ cells were analysed in peripheral blood samples by flow cytometry. Serum/plasma levels of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 and vWF were determined using immunoenzymatic assay. We did not observe differences in CD34+ populations, but proportions of CD34+VEGFR2+ (p = 0.006), CD34+VEGFR2+CD133+ (p = 0.002) and CD34+VEGFR2+c-Kit+ (p = 0.003) cells were reduced in patients with poorly controlled blood pressure. We have also established that these cells exhibit connections with age, blood pressure and sICAM-1 serum levels. However, multiparametric regression analyses did not indicate any of the analysed variables as independent factors affecting CD34+VEGFR2+ populations. CD34+VEGFR2+, CD34+VEGFR2+CD133+ and CD34+VEGFR2+c-Kit+ cells are reduced in poorly controlled hypertensive patients, which may be partially connected with increased cardiovascular complications and mortality observed in this group.

Association of circulating progenitor cells with angiotensin II in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients.

Populations of CD34- and VEGFR2-expressing cells are responsible for regeneration of damaged endothelium and vascular remodelling. As their quantity and activity changes during cardiovascular diseases, they are potentially useful markers of cardiovascular health. The aim of our study was to investigate changes of various CD34+ and CD34+ VEGFR2+ populations in subjects with newly recognised hypertension and to evaluate whether observed alterations are influenced by clinical parameters and angiotensin II. Circulating CD34+ and CD34+ VEGFR2+ cells were analysed in peripheral blood samples by flow cytometry. Serum levels of angiotensin II were determined using immunoenzymatic assay. We discovered increased proportions of various CD34+ populations and CD34+ VEGFR2+ c-Kit+ cells in newly diagnosed patients. CD34+ cells seem to be influenced by angiotensin II, but we did not observe comparable results when populations co-expressing VEGFR2 were analysed. The quantity of CD34+ VEGFR2+ cells in patients with newly recognised primary hypertension ought to be determined by other factors. Increased proportions of CD34+ progenitors in blood could comprise compensatory mechanism for increased endothelial damage in hypertension.