Dihydrotestosterone Augments the Angiogenic and Migratory Potential of Human Endothelial Progenitor Cells by an Androgen Receptor-Dependent Mechanism.
Int J Mol Sci
; 25(9)2024 Apr 29.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38732080
ABSTRACT
Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a critical role in cardiovascular regeneration. Enhancement of their native properties would be highly beneficial to ensuring the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system. As androgens have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system, we hypothesized that dihydrotestosterone (DHT) could also influence EPC-mediated repair processes. To evaluate this hypothesis, we investigated the effects of DHT on cultured human EPCs' proliferation, viability, morphology, migration, angiogenesis, gene and protein expression, and ability to integrate into cardiac tissue. The results showed that DHT at different concentrations had no cytotoxic effect on EPCs, significantly enhanced the cell proliferation and viability and induces fast, androgen-receptor-dependent formation of capillary-like structures. DHT treatment of EPCs regulated gene expression of androgen receptors and the genes and proteins involved in cell migration and angiogenesis. Importantly, DHT stimulation promoted EPC migration and the cells' ability to adhere and integrate into murine cardiac slices, suggesting it has a role in promoting tissue regeneration. Mass spectrometry analysis further highlighted the impact of DHT on EPCs' functioning. In conclusion, DHT increases the proliferation, migration, and androgen-receptor-dependent angiogenesis of EPCs; enhances the cells' secretion of key factors involved in angiogenesis; and significantly potentiates cellular integration into heart tissue. The data offer support for potential therapeutic applications of DHT in cardiovascular regeneration and repair processes.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Dihydrotestosterone
/
Receptors, Androgen
/
Cell Movement
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Fetal Blood
/
Endothelial Progenitor Cells
Limits:
Animals
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Int J Mol Sci
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: