Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Archive for the ‘Glycobiology: Biopharmaceutical Production, Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics’ Category

Curated/reported by : Aviral Vatsa PhD, MBBS

Based on : S Moncada et al

It was in 1980 that Furchgott & Zawadzki first described endothelium- dependent relaxation of the blood vessels by acetylcholine. Further studies in 1984 revealed that other factors such as bradykinin, histamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine release endothelium derived relaxing factor (EDRF), which can modulate vessel tone. EDRF was shown to stimulate soluble guanylate cyclase and was inhibited by haemoglobin. In 1986 it was demonstrated that superoxide (O2) anions mediated EDRF inactivation and that the inhibitors of EDRF generated superoxide (O2) anions in solution as a mean to inhibit EDRF. It was later established that all compounds that inhibit EDRF have one property in common, redox activity, which accounted for their inhibitory action on EDRF. One exception was haemoglobin, which inactivates EDRF by binding to it. In 1987 Furchgott proposed that EDRF might be nitric oxide (NO) based on a study of the transient relaxations of endothelium-denuded rings of rabbit aorta to ‘acidified’ inorganic nitrite (NO) solutions and the observations that superoxide dismutase (SOD, which removes O2) protected EDRF. Till then NO was not known to be produced in mammalian cells. In 1988 Palmer et al could detect NO production both biologically and chemically by chemiluminescence. The following year in 1989 the enzyme responsible for NO production, NO synthase, was discovered and L-arginine:NO pathway was proposed.

Roles of L-arginine:NO pathway

By 1987 it was proposed that NO is generated in tissues other than endothelium. Hibbs et al and Marletta et al proposed that NO was generated by macrophages. Moreover release of EDRF was demonstrated in cerebellar cells following activation with N-methyl-D- aspartate (NMDA ). Both noradrenergic and cholinergic responses are ‘controlled’ by the nitrergic system so that the release of NO (e.g., during electrical field stimulation) counteracts and dominates the response to the noradrenergic or cholinergic stimulus (Cellek & Moncada, 1997). Mechanism of penile erection was unveiled by the studies on nitrergic neurotransmission that led to therapeutic intervention. Selective damage of nitrergic nerves in disease states was proposed as a potent mechanism of pathophysiology. Broadly three areas of research based on three isoforms of NOS came into being;

  • cardiovascular
  • nervous
  • immunology

Identification of NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) as an inhibitor of the synthesis of NO lay the basis of future research into investigating the role of NO in biological systems. In 1989 it was demonstrated that intravenous infusion of L-NMMA resulted in increase in blood pressure that was reversible by infusing L-arginine. NO was thus implicated in constantly maintaining blood vessel tone. eNOS knockout studies showed a hypertensive phenotypes in the animal models and over expression of eNOS led to lowering of the blood pressure. Furthermore, eNOS activation was attributed to phosphorylation of a specific tyrosine residue in the enzyme.

NO and Mitochondria 

http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2012/09/16/nitric-oxide-has-a-ubiquitous-role-in-the-regulation-of-glycolysis-with-a-concomitant-influence-on-mitochondrial-function/

NO reacts with some of the complexes of the respiratory chain, and inhibits mitochondrial respiration – this is a well accepted notion. Initially it was believed that the target for NO was soluble guanylate cyclase, which in vasculature would lead to elevation of cGMP that eventually results in NO mediated vasodilatation and platelet aggregation inhibition. In 1994, another potential target, cytochrome c oxidase, for inhibitory effects of NO was discovered. This was a reversible effect, in competition with oxygen concentrations. Increases in NO production were also shown to inhibit cellular respiration irreversibly by selectively inhibiting complex I . Hence in 2002 it was proposed that this might be a mechanism through which cell pathology was initiated in certain conditions. Furthermore, NO was proposed to be implicated in the activation of the grp78-dependent stress response , via modulating calcium-related interaction between mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum . This host defence mechanism might also have role in vasculature. Further evidence was provided in 2003 to link the role of NO in mitochondrogenesis and thus indicating that NO might be involved in the regulation of the balance between glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation in cells.

NO and Pathophysiology

Lack of NO: By 2000, NO was established as a haemostatic regulator in the vasculature. Its absence was implicated in pathological states such as hypertension and vasospasm. These pathophysiological states share a common beginning of endothelial dysfunction, which has low NO production as one of its characterstic features. This dysfunction has been observed prior to the appearance of cardiovascular disease in predisposed subjects with family history of essential hypertension and atherosclerosis. The most likely mechanism for endothelial dysfunction is that of a reduced bioavailability of NO . The mechanism of this aspect is discussed elsewhere on this site. Protection against reduction of NO bio-availability in the vasculature is a vital therapeutic target and is extensively explored. This can be achieved by the use of antioxidants and/or augmentation of eNOS expression. In 2003 statins were shown to increase the production of endothelial NO in endothelial cell cultures and in animals by the reduction of oxidative stress or by increasing the coupling of the eNOS. It was way back in 1994 that oestrogen was shown to increase both the activity and expression of eNOS. In addition, more recently in 2003, oestrogen was shown to reduce the breakdown of available NO.

Excess of NO: In 2000 it was shown that NO produced from iNOS in vasculature is involved in extensive vasodilatation in septic shock. Later it was demonstrated that inhibition of mitochondrial respiration is an important component of the NO-induced tissue damage. This inhibition of respiration, which is initially NO-dependent and reversible, becomes persistent with time as a result of oxidative stress . Such metabolic hypoxic states where in tissues cannot utilise available oxygen due to NO, could also contribute to other inflammatory and degenerative conditions. An obvious therapeutic target for reducing NO production in such conditions would be L-NMMA. L-NMM was tested in a clinical trial for septic shock in 2004. The results were however disappointing probably due to the blanket reduction in NO production from other NOS enzymes there by having deleterious effects on the treatment group. More specific inhibitors for NOS forms are being investigated for in different disease states.

In conclusion, the L-arginine: NO pathway has had a major impact in many areas of research, specially vascular biology. A lot has been understood about this pathway and its interactions, therapeutic targets are being aggressively investigated, but further investigations are required to delineate further the role of NO in human health and disease.

Further Reading

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1760731/?tool=pubmed

Nitric Oxide and Platelet Aggregation

Inhaled NO in Pulmonary Artery Hypertension and Right Sided Heart Failure

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and the Role of agent alternatives in endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS) Activation and Nitric Oxide Production

Nitric Oxide in bone metabolism

Nitric oxide and signalling pathways

Rationale of NO use in hypertension and heart failure

Interaction of Nitric Oxide and Prostacyclin in Vascular Endothelium

Nitric Oxide has a ubiquitous role in the regulation of glycolysis -with a concomitant influence on mitochondrial function

Read Full Post »

A New Therapy for Melanoma

Reporter  Larry H Bernstein, MD

S Andrews, R Holden.  Characteristics and management of immune-related adverse effects associated with ipilimumab, a new immunotherapy for metastatic melanoma. Cancer Management and Research (Dovepress: open access) 11 Sept, 2012; 4:299-307.

This report is an immediate followup to a post on Ulcerative Colitis, a chronic inflammatory condition of the colonic mucosa that is now ready for phase 3 clinical trial with a breakthrough drug that blocks the action of “T-cell lymphokine” activity of IL-2, 4, 7, 15 and 21.  This also deals with a breakthrough immunotherapy for a common skin malignancy, melanoma, the sixth most common cancer (bearing no ontogenetic resemblance to the GI disease), that accounted for 8790 in the US in 2011. Approximately 84% of cases present with local disease (stages I and II), 8% of patients have regional disease, and only 4% show distant metastases, with 4% being unstaged. Melanomas characteristically occur after puberty.    Lesions that are by all means identical to melanoma behave as a benign pigmented mole in a child.  The melanoma is a raised pigmented lesion that when it invades deeply through the dermal layer and metastasizes, would be identify this late stage for treatment of the disease.  Stage IV disease is defined as distant skin involvement, soft tissue involvement, lung, and/or visceral sites.  Survival rates are highly dependent on the stage of metastatic disease,  with stage IV melanoma patients showing 15% survival rate at 5 years, but the survival rate drops to 3% at 5 years with brain metastasis. The therapeutic options for extensive disease or for metastatic disease have been until recently limited to entry into a clinical trial, treatment with dacarbazine or high-dose interleukin-2 was the only therapy approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with no survival benefit and greater toxicity of combination sequential therapy of dacarbazine + other  drugs.

Vemurafenib (Zelboraf®, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA) is a BRAF inhibitor that has demonstrated activity in patients with metastatic melanoma who harbor the V600E BRAF mutation. Recent interim results of a Phase III study have reported 6-month overall survival of 84% (95% confidence interval 78–89) in patients receiving vemurafenib compared with 65% in the dacarbazine arm (95% confidence interval 56–73) of the study.14 The rate of progression-free survival was also improved in the vemurafenib arm, and this agent has received approval from the FDA for the treatment of patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma whose tumors harbor the V600E mutation.  However, the long-term efficacy and safety of vemurafenib has yet to be determined.  Introduce Ipilimumab (Bristol Myers Squibb), the first drug approved for the treatment of melanoma by the FDA which has shown a survival benefit in a randomized Phase III study.

Mechanism of Action:  Ipilimumab is a monoclonal antibody that blocks cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4, an inhibitor of T cell activation, thereby potentiating an immune response.  It’s unique mechanism of action differentiates it from chemotherapies, in that it targets the immune system rather than directly targeting the tumor itself.  Recall that in the previous GI inflammatory case the target was T-lymphocytes 2, 4, 7, 15, and 21. So this treatment is more narrowly focused.

Most recent Pase III Trial Result:  A Phase III study of ipilimumab in treatment-naïve patients with unresectable stage III or IV melanoma was recently published.  This study was done using a higher, experimental dose of ipilimumab at 10 mg/kg in combination with dacarbazine compared with dacarbazine alone. The combination arm of the study showed significantly higher survival rates in patients who received dacarbazine alone at one year (47.3% versus 36.3%), 2 years (28.5% versus 17.9%), and 3 years (20.8% versus 12.2%, hazard ratio for death 0.72; P , 0.001). The study confirmed the overall survival benefit of ipilimumab and it demonstrated an acceptable safety profile.

Summary of pharmaceutical treatment options

• Dacarbazine has low toxicity, is well tolerated, minimally effective, and has limited progression-free survival

• High-dose interleukin-2 has high toxicity, is used in highly selected patients, and has limited efficacy

• Combination biochemotherapeutic regimens have not been shown to have an overall survival benefit, and have added toxicity

• Vemurafenib shows a rapid response, has improved 6-month overall survival and progression-free survival, but lacks durability

• Ipilimumab has a unique side effect profile, and has been shown to improve one-year and two-year overall survival.

Immune-related AEs with ipilimumab

The most common safety events associated with ipilimumab therapy are immune-related; a recent pooled analysis of 14 completed Phase I–III ipilimumab clinical trials showed that 64.2% of patients experienced an immune-related adverse event (AE) of any grade.20 Immune-related AEs are likely reflective of the immune-based mechanism of action of ipilimumab and may affect various organs. An overview of the rate of immune-related AEs associated with ipilimumab 3 mg/kg in the Phase III MDX010-20 registration trial is shown in Table 1 (Rates of immune-related adverse events from the MDX010-20 registration trial, which included previously treated patients with unresectable stage III or IV melanoma treated with ipilimumab 3 mg/kg alone, a control vaccine alone (glycoprotein 100), or a combination of both ipilimumab and glycoprotein 100).  The most common immune-related AEs included toxicities of the skin, gastrointestinal tract, endocrine system, and liver.  The majority of immune-related AEs initially manifest during induction phase; however, a minority occurs weeks to months after discontinuation of ipilimumab. Time to resolution of immune-related AEs experienced by patients varied from 4.3 to 7.7 weeks on average across all studies.

Zelboraf® (vemurafenib) package insert. South San Francisco, CA: Genentech USA Inc,; 2011.
Hodi FS, O’Day SJ, McDermott DF, et al. Improved survival with ipilimumab in patients with metastatic melanoma. N Engl J Med. 2010; 363:711–723.

Patterns of response with ipilimumab

In addition to the safety events, which may be tied to the unique mechanism of action of ipilimumab, unique clinical responses might also be reflective of the immune-related mechanism of action. (Table 2) Response patterns with ipilimumab include two standard responses that are commonly observed with other cytotoxic therapies, the first being an immediate decline in overall tumor burden with no new lesions and the second being stable disease. Stable disease in some patients on ipilimumab can be followed by a slow and steady decline in tumor burden.  However, throughout clinical development of ipilimumab, two additional, novel response patterns have been observed in patients, while still being shown to be associated with improved survival in patients. The first is a reduction in overall tumor burden in the presence of new lesions and the second is an initial increase followed by a steady decrease in tumor volume.

Patterns of response with ipilimumab

• Immediate response in baseline lesions, without the presence of new lesions

• Durable stable disease (SD), which may be followed by a slow, steady decline in total tumor burden

• Response after an increase in total tumor burden

• Response in presence of new lesions (which may have been present at baseline but were radiographically undetectable)

Notes: All patterns of response have been associated with response in patients and to improved survival.

Hoos A, Ibrahim R, Korman A, et al. Development of ipilimumab: contribution to a new paradigm for cancer immunotherapy. Semin Oncol. 2010;37(5):533–546.

Ibrahim R, Berman D, de Pril V, et al. Ipilimumab safety profile: summary of findings from completed trials in advanced melanoma. J Clin Oncol. 2011;29 Suppl:Abstract 8583.

Wolchok JD, Hoos A, O’Day S, et al. Guidelines for the evaluation of immune therapy activity in solid tumors: immune-related response criteria. Clin Cancer Res. 2009;15:7412–7420.

Hoos A, Eggermont AM, Janetzki S, et al. Improved endpoints for cancer immunotherapy trials. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2010;102:1388–1397.

Conclusion

Ipilimumab is a novel immunotherapeutic agent approved by the FDA for unresectable and metastatic melanoma. Due to its characteristic and distinctive mechanism of action, ipilimumab elicits a number of specific immune-related AEs. Time to onset and resolution of ipilimumab-associated immune-related AEs follow a predictable temporal pattern but can vary from patient to patient.

Related articles

Read Full Post »

 

Reporter: Aviva Lev-Ari, PhD, RN

Glucose in the ICU — Evidence, Guidelines, and Outcomes

Brian P. Kavanagh, M.B., F.R.C.P.C.

September 7, 2012 (10.1056/NEJMe1209429)

Just over a decade ago, a single-center Belgian study showed that normalization of blood glucose in critically ill patients lowered hospital mortality by more than 30%.1 Although subsequent studies were unable to reproduce these findings, the appeal of such a straightforward intervention was too great to resist: guidelines from professional organizations2,3 were published, and editorial commentary4 highlighted initiatives by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, and the Volunteer Hospital Association that incorporated tight glucose control as a standard. Indeed, the prestigious Codman Award of the Joint Commission was presented in 2004 for a program of glycemic control in critical care that “saved” patients’ lives.5 Tight glucose control for critically ill patients was in vogue.

The publication in 2009 of a large international trial (the Normoglycemia in Intensive Care Evaluation–Survival Using Glucose Algorithm Regulation [NICE-SUGAR] study6) followed that of several negative trials. The NICE-SUGAR study, which involved more than 6100 patients, showed that tight glycemic control didn’t decrease mortality — it increased it. Most guidelines were hastily revised. However, in the same year a separate study by Vlasselaers et al.7 in pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) patients, most of whom had undergone cardiac surgery, showed that normalizing glucose decreased mortality from 6% to 3%, keeping open the question — at least in critically ill children.

The study by Agus et al.8 now reported in the Journal provides new key data. A total of 980 children (up to 36 months of age) admitted to an ICU after cardiac surgery were randomly assigned to usual care or tight glucose control. The results are clear — there was no significant difference in the incidence of health care–associated infections (the primary outcome) or in any of the secondary outcomes, including survival. Moreover, the rate of hypoglycemia (blood glucose level <40 mg per deciliter [2.2 mmol per liter]) in the intervention group (3%) was far less than that previously reported (25%).7 These findings contrast sharply with those of Vlasselaers et al.,7 who found that secondary infections, length of stay, and mortality were reduced. Faced with contradictory results from two large clinical trials, how does the clinician know which results are correct?

First, biologic plausibility is important in attributing a survival benefit to a specific intervention. In the first pediatric ICU study, the additional deaths in the control group did not appear to be due to causes related to hyperglycemia,7 a finding that suggests that the benefit was unlikely to be reproducible. The current authors, exclusively studying children after cardiac surgery, recognized that mortality in this population is usually due to prohibitive anatomy or surgical challenge; these are circumstances not amenable to correction by metabolic control.

Second, might differences in the target plasma glucose explain the discrepant findings? Agus et al. aimed for a higher target range of plasma glucose in the intervention group (80 to 110 mg per deciliter [4.4 to 6.1 mmol per liter]) than was targeted in the first pediatric study (infants, 50 to 80 mg per deciliter [2.8 to 4.4 mmol per liter]; children, 70 to 100 mg per deciliter [3.9 to 5.6 mmol per liter]).7 Perhaps the lower glucose target is preferable? The weight of evidence is against this, and if this target were used, the incidence and severity of hypoglycemia would have been greater, as previously reported.7 Hypoglycemia is never to a patient’s benefit, and its negative impact on neurocognitive development in children is of particular concern.

It seems that — as in adults — claims for survival benefit in critically ill children are incorrect. Furthermore, there is no reason why the effects of glucose control in children would be opposite to those in adults. In aggregate, the data do not support a basis for embarking on a pediatric megatrial.

Assuming the results of the NICE-SUGAR study6 are generalizable, we must be grateful for the future lives saved by avoiding the practice of normalizing glucose in the ICU. At the same time, we should reflect on why a large study with mortality as an end point was needed in the first place.

Perhaps the most important question from a decade of studying glucose control in the ICU is how influential practice guidelines advocating tight glucose control were developed2,3 yet turned out to be harmful — an issue noted in the lay press.9 Guideline writers, reflecting on the experience, must accept that there are multiple sources of clinical knowledge10 and must pay careful attention to trial characteristics — especially study reproducibility — in order to provide advice that genuinely helps clinicians. Clinicians in turn should use guidelines wisely, recognizing that no single source of knowledge is sufficient to guide clinical decisions.10

Is the door closed on studying glucose homeostasis in the critically ill? No, but it should be closed on the routine normalization of plasma glucose in critically ill adults and children.

Disclosure forms provided by the author are available with the full text of this article at NEJM.org.

This article was published on September 7, 2012, at NEJM.org.

SOURCE INFORMATION

From the Department of Critical Care Medicine and Anesthesia, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto.

Source:

http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMe1209429?query=OF

REFERENCES

    1. 1

      van den Berghe G, Wouters P, Weekers F, et al. Intensive insulin therapy in critically ill patients. N Engl J Med 2001;345:1359-1367
      Full Text | Web of Science | Medline

    1. 2

      American College of Endocrinology and American Diabetes Association Consensus statement on inpatient diabetes and glycemic control. Diabetes Care 2006;29:1955-1962
      CrossRef | Web of Science

    1. 3

      Dellinger RP, Carlet JM, Masur H, et al. Surviving Sepsis Campaign guidelines for management of severe sepsis and septic shock. Intensive Care Med 2004;30:536-555
      CrossRef | Web of Science | Medline

    1. 4

      Angus DC, Abraham E. Intensive insulin therapy in critical illness. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2005;172:1358-1359
      CrossRef | Web of Science | Medline

    1. 5

      The Joint Commission. 2004 Ernest Amory Codman Award winners (http://www.jointcommission.org/2004_ernest_amory_codman_award_winners).

    1. 6

      The NICE-SUGAR Study Investigators. Intensive versus conventional glucose control in critically ill patients. N Engl J Med 2009;360:1283-1297
      Full Text | Web of Science

    1. 7

      Vlasselaers D, Milants I, Desmet L, et al. Intensive insulin therapy for patients in paediatric intensive care: a prospective, randomised controlled study. Lancet 2009;373:547-556
      CrossRef | Web of Science | Medline

    1. 8

      Agus MSD, Steil GM, Wypij D, et al. Tight glycemic control versus standard care after pediatric cardiac surgery. N Engl J Med 2012. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1206044.

    1. 9

      Groopman J, Hartzband P. Why `quality’ care is dangerous. Wall Street Journal. April 9, 2009 (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123914878625199185.html).

  1. 10

    Tonelli MR, Curtis JR, Guntupalli KK, et al. An official multi-society statement: the role of clinical research results in the practice of critical care medicine. Am J Respir Crit Care Med2012;185:1117-1124
    CrossRef | Web of Science

 

Read Full Post »

 

Reporter: Aviva Lev-Ari, PhD, RN

 

ABOUT CGC

The Consumer Genetics Conference covers the key issues facing clinical genetics, personalized medicine, molecular diagnostics, and consumer-targeted DNA applications. It provides a unique outlet where all voices can be heard: pro & con, physician & consumer, research & clinical, academic & corporate, financial & regulatory. CGC is more than just another personalized medicine conference. Since the inaugural meeting in 2009, CGC has been the place where consumer companies learn genomics, and where genomics companies learn how to approach consumers. This year’s event is highlighted by keynote presentations from:

– Kenneth Chahine, Ph.D., J.D., ancestry.com
– Jay Flatley, President and CEO, Illumina
– Lee Silver, Ph.D., Princeton University

Spanning three days, the conference will focus on:
– Day 1: Technology
– Day 2: Business + Translation
– Day 3: Application

And 40+ Cutting-Edge Presentations on:
– Personal Genomics
– Third-Generation Sequencing
– Molecular Diagnostics
– Investment & Funding Opportunities
– Genome Interpretation
– The Future of Personalized Medicine
– Big Data
– Prenatal/Neonatal & Disease Diagnostics
– Empowering Patients
– Nutrition, Food Genetics & Cosmetics

SPEAKERS

Confirmed speakers to date include:

Sandy Aronson, Executive Director of IT, Partners HealthCare Center for Personalized Genetic Medicine (PCPGM)

Arindam Bhattacharjee, Ph.D., CEO and Founder, Parabase Genomics

Diana Bianchi, M.D., Executive Director, Mother Infant Research Institute; Vice Chair for Research, Department of Pediatrics, Floating Hospital for Children, Tufts Medical Center

Cinnamon Bloss, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Director, Social Sciences and Bioethics, Scripps Translational Science Institute

Alexis Borisy, Partner, Third Rock Ventures

John Boyce, President and CEO, GnuBio

Mike Cariaso, Founder, SNPedia; Author of Promethease

Kenneth Chahine, Ph.D., J.D., Senior Vice President and General Manager, DNA, ancestry.com

Michael Christman, CEO, Coriell Institute for Medical Research

Cindy Crowninshield, RD, LDN, Licensed Registered Dietitian, Body Therapeutics & Sodexo; Founder, Eat2BeWell & Eat4YourGenes; Conference Director, Cambridge Healthtech Institute

Kevin Davies, Ph.D., Editor-in-Chief, Bio-IT World

Chris Dwan, Principal Investigator and Director, Professional Services, BioTeam

Jay Flatley, President & CEO, Illumina

Andrew C. Fish, Executive Director, AdvaMedDx

Dennis Gilbert, Ph.D., Founder, President and CEO, VitaPath Genetics

Rosalynn Gill, Ph.D., Vice President, Clinical Affairs, Boston Heart Diagnostics

Steve Gullans, Managing Director, Excel Venture Management

Don Hardison, President & CEO, Good Start Genetics, Inc.

Richard Kellner, Founder and President, Genome Health Solutions, Inc.

Robert Klein, Ph.D., Chief Business Development Officer, Complete Genomics

Isaac S. Kohane, M.D., Ph.D., Henderson Professor of Health Sciences and Technology, Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School; Director, Countway Library of Medicine; Director, i2b2 National Center for Biomedical Computing; Co-Director, HMS Center for Biomedical Informatics

Stan Lapidus, President, CEO and Founder, SynapDx

Gholson Lyon, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor in Human Genetics, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory; Research Scientist, Utah Foundation for Biomedical Research

Daniel MacArthur, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Massachusetts General Hospital; Co-founder, Genomes Unzipped

Craig Martin, Chief Executive Officer, Feinstein Kean Healthcare

James McCullough, CEO and Founder, Exosome Diagnostics

Kevin McKernan, CSO, Courtagen Life Sciences

Neil A. Miller, Director of Informatics, Center for Pediatric Genomic Medicine, Children’s Mercy Hospital

Paul Morrison, Ph.D., Laboratory Director, Molecular Biology Core Facilities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Geert-Jan Mulder, M.D., General Partner, Forbion Capital

Steve Murphy, M.D., Managing Partner, Wellspring Total Health

Michael Murray, M.D., Clinical Chief, Genetics Division, Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Instructor, Harvard Medical School, The Harvard Clinical and Translational Science Center

Brian T. Naughton, Ph.D., Founding Scientist, 23andMe

Nathan Pearson, Ph.D., Director of Research, Knome, Inc.

Michael S. Phillips, Ph.D., Canada Research Chair in Translational Pharmacogenomics; Director, Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Montreal Heart Institute; Associate Professor, Université de Montréal

John Quackenbush, Ph.D., Professor, Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Cancer Biology Center for Cancer Computational Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Martin G. Reese, President and CEO, Omicia

Heidi L. Rehm, Ph.D., FACMG, Chief Laboratory Director, Molecular Medicine, Partners HealthCare Center for Personalized Genetic Medicine (PCPGM); Assistant Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School

Oliver Rinner, Ph.D., CEO, BiognoSYS AG

Meredith Salisbury, Senior Consultant, Bioscribe

Marc Salit, Group Leader, Biochemical Science and Multiplexed Biomolecular Science, National Institute of Standards and Technology

Lee Silver, Ph.D., Professor of Molecular Biology and Public Affairs; Faculty Associate, Science, Technology & Environmental Policy Program, Office of Population Research, and the Center for Health and Wellbeing, Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University

Jamie Streator, Managing Director, Healthcare Investment Banking, Cowen & Company

Joseph V. Thakuria, M.D., MMSc, Attending Physician in Clinical and Biochemical Genetics Medical Genetics, Massachusetts General Hospital; Medical Director, Personal Genome Project; Harvard Catalyst Translational Genetics and Bioinformatics Program, MGH Center for Human Genetics Research

Samuil R. Umansky, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc., Co-founder, CSO, and President, DiamiR LLC

David A. Weitz, Ph.D., Mallinckrodt Professor of Physics and Applied Physics, Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Speaker to be Announced, Barclays

DAY 1: TECHNOLOGY

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 3

7:30 am Conference Registration

8:30 Opening Remarks

John Boyce, President and CEO, GnuBIO and Meredith Salisbury, Senior Consultant, Bioscribe

 

OPENING PLENARY SESSION

 

» 8:45 KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

Self-Discovery in the Age of Personal Genomes

Lee Silver, Ph.D., Professor of Molecular Biology and Public Affairs; Faculty Associate, Science, Technology & Environmental Policy Program, Office of Population Research, and the Center for Health and Wellbeing, Woodrow Wilson School, Princeton University

With blinding speed, the biomedical research enterprise is advancing the technology to read personal genomes with greater accuracy, in less time, and at less expense.Meanwhile, consumer genetics has blossomed from infancy to adolescence with an array of innovative consumer-facing products. This unanticipated cottage industry is struggling with growing pains in a mix of conflicted regulators, restless innovators, and demanding consumers. Genetic information, like all information, “wants to be free,” but the commercialization environment is not yet optimized for personal freedom.

 

9:40 The Era of Clinical Sequencing and Personalized Medicine

Michael Christman, CEO, Coriell Institute for Medical Research

Advances in understanding genomic variation and associated clinical phenotypes continue to increase while the cost of full genome sequencing rapidly declines. Having access to your genomic information will become increasingly important as physicians are progressively receptive to incorporating genomics into routine clinical practice. When you need a new prescription, it will be necessary for your physician to quickly and securely access your genetic data to understand drug efficacy prior to dosing. Who will patients and medical professionals trust to store and interpret the data? Coriell is positioned to significantly contribute to the research needed to accelerate the adoption and routine use of genomics in medicine.

 

10:20 FEATURED PRESENTATION

Stan Lapidus, President, CEO and Founder, SynapDx

 

10:50 Coffee Break

 

BIG DATA/ANALYSIS

11:20 IT Infrastructure Required to Manage Patient Genetic Test Results

Sandy Aronson, Executive Director of IT, Partners HealthCare Center for Personalized Genetic Medicine (PCPGM)

There are many challenges associated with getting the maximum value out of a genetic test. This talk will focus on information technology infrastructure that can help.

11:50 Issues in Genomics at Scale

Chris Dwan, Principal Investigator and Director, Professional Services, BioTeam

2012 marks, in many respects, the beginning of the second decade of high-throughput DNA sequencing. Robust, well understood solutions exist for many of the major technical challenges involved in operating a high-throughput genomics facility. Petabyte scale data storage, well suited to research computing in this space, provides a clean example. Certainly it still requires careful planning and thorough engineering to deploy such infrastructure. However, we can now purchase robust systems from multiple vendors rather than having to stitch together solutions in-house. Perhaps more importantly, we can rely on the experience of a community of peers who have been through the exercise before. By contrast, the legal, regulatory, ethical, and privacy concerns in this space have only begun to be explored. As we plan for the coming years, we must certainly plan for technical uncertainty. Technologists find themselves in the role of guessing at the future. As translational medicine, clinical genome sequencing, and other practices become the norm, we must assume extreme and occasionally capricious changes to the social ecosystem. This talk will explore these issues in the context of nearly a decade supporting research computing and genomics for a broad variety of institutions.

12:20 pm Sponsored Presentation (Opportunity Available)

12:50 Luncheon Presentation (Sponsorship Opportunity Available)
or Lunch on Your Own

 

MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS

2:05 Panel Discussion
Panelists will first give a brief presentation and then convene for a panel discussion.

Michael S. Phillips, Ph.D., Canada Research Chair in Translational Pharmacogenomics; Director, Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Montreal Heart Institute; Associate Professor, Université de Montréal (Moderator)

Molecular Diagnostics and the Patient/Consumer

Andrew C. Fish, Executive Director, AdvaMedDx

This presentation will envision a future in which molecular diagnostics are widely utilized not only for decision making by health professionals, but also for the development and use of a wide range of consumer products that include genetic tests themselves. The speaker will discuss various policy implications of this convergence of patient and consumer interests driven by the expanding availability of molecular diagnostics.

Bridging the Gap between Genetic Risk and Blood Diagnostics by Personalized Health Monitoring

Oliver Rinner, Ph.D., CEO, Biognosys AG

Biognosys has developed a solution to quantify and track protein levels over time from a drop of blood. With a novel mass spectrometric technology, we can record protein signals from 1000s of proteins in a single instrument run and store such digital protein maps in a digital bio-bank that can be screened in silico for known and novel biomarkers. We will provide this technology as personalized health monitoring to patients and consumers that seek actionable information about their state of health.

Measuring Disease Treatment and Progression at the Molecular Level without Biopsy

James McCullough, CEO and Founder, Exosome Diagnostics

Exosome has developed a solution that has the ability to measure, at the molecular level without biopsy, the dynamic nature of both treatment and disease progression. The company has developed a means of isolating exosomes: exosomes are shed into all biofluids, including blood, urine, and CSF, forming a stable source of intact, disease-specific nucleic acids. From these, the company is able to develop predictive gene expression profiles to achieve high sensitivity for rare gene transcripts and the expression of genes responsible for cancers and other diseases. This technology obviates the need for biopsy, and provides a means for detection at a much earlier stage of treatment.

3:20 Refreshment Break

3:50 Sponsored Presentation (Opportunity Available)

 

SEQUENCING

4:20 Panel Discussion

Like a double helix, the future growth of consumer genetics is intimately entwined with technology advances in next-generation sequencing. While the industry excitedly awaits the commercial debut of potentially disruptive nanopore sequencing platforms, existing platforms continue to roll out new enhancements and sequencing strategies that bring us within striking distance of clinical-grade whole genome sequencing. This panel discussion brings together leaders from existing and emerging sequencing providers to present and debate a range of questions including the pros and cons of targeted versus whole-genome sequencing, the emergence of third-generation sequencing platforms, and the challenges of integrating genome sequencing into the clinic.

Paul Morrison, Ph.D., Laboratory Director, Molecular Biology Core Facilities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Moderator)

Panelists:

John Boyce, President and CEO, GnuBIO
Robert Klein, Ph.D., Chief Business Development Officer, Complete Genomics Inc.
Speaker to be Announced, Life Technologies
Speaker to be Announced, Illumina

5:50-6:50 Welcome Reception in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing

 

DAY 2: BUSINESS + TRANSLATION

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4

7:45 am Morning Coffee

 

TRANSLATIONAL GENOMICS

8:15 Panel Discussion
Panelists will first give a brief presentation and then convene for a panel discussion.

Kevin Davies, Ph.D., Editor-in-Chief, Bio-IT World (Moderator)

All Genomes are Dysfunctional: The Challenges of Interpreting Whole-Genome Data from Healthy Individuals

Daniel MacArthur, Ph.D., Assistant in Genetics, Massachusetts General Hospital; Co-founder, Genomes Unzipped

Recent advances in DNA sequencing technology have made cheap, rapid interrogation of complete genome and exome sequences an almost mundane exercise, and have resulted in significant progress in the discovery of disease-causing sequence changes from the genomes of individuals with rare diseases or cancers. However, such successes do not necessarily translate into an improved ability to use genome-scale data to predict future disease probability for currently healthy individuals. In this presentation I will highlight some of the major technical and analytical challenges associated with developing predictive genomic medicine for the healthy majority.

Consumer Genomics: What do People do with Their Genomes?

Cinnamon Bloss, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Director, Social Sciences and Bioethics, Scripps Translational Science Institute

Direct-to-consumer personalized genomic testing is controversial, and there are few empirical data to inform the debate regarding use and regulation. The Scripps Genomic Health Initiative is a large longitudinal cohort study of over 2,000 adults who have undergone testing with a commercially available genomic test. Findings from this initiative regarding the psychological, behavioral and clinical impacts of genomic testing on consumers will be presented.

Advances in Noninvasive Prenatal Genetic Testing: Does this Mean “Designer” Babies for All?

Diana Bianchi, M.D., Executive Director, Mother Infant Research Institute; Vice Chair for Research, Department of Pediatrics, Floating Hospital for Children, Tufts Medical Center

Noninvasive prenatal testing for Down syndrome and other chromosome disorders using massively parallel DNA sequencing techniques is now available on a clinical basis in the US. With expected advances in sequencing techniques it will soon be possible to take a blood sample from a pregnant woman and determine if her fetus has a chromosome abnormality or a single gene disorder. How much information do prospective couples want and how do these technical advances affect well-established algorithms for prenatal care?

Translating Genomics into Clinical Care

Heidi L. Rehm, Ph.D., FACMG, Chief Laboratory Director, Molecular Medicine, Partners HealthCare Center for Personalized Genetic Medicine (PCPGM); Assistant Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School

This talk will focus on approaches to integrate clinical sequencing into genomic medicine. It will cover next generation sequencing test development from disease panels to whole genomes and the interpretation and reporting of genetic variants identified in patients.

Impact of Genomic Sequencing on Public Health and Preventive Medicine

Joseph V. Thakuria, M.D., MMSc, Attending Physician in Clinical and Biochemical Genetics and Medical Director, Personal Genome Project, Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Human Genetics Research

Early findings in the Personal Genome Project (established by George Church) suggest significant impact for public health and preventive medicine. Solutions to accelerate clinical adoption and address large molecular data challenges will be explored.

9:30 FEATURED PRESENTATION
Genome-in-a-Bottle: Reference Materials and Methods for Confidence in Whole Genome Sequencing

Marc Salit, Group Leader, Biochemical Science and Multiplexed Biomolecular Science, National Institute of Standards and Technology

Genome-in-a-Bottle: Reference Materials and Methods for Confidence in Whole Genome Sequencing Clinical application of ultra high throughput sequencing (UHTS) or “Next Generation Sequencing” for hereditary genetic diseases and oncology is rapidly emerging.  At present, there are no widely accepted genomic standards or quantitative performance metrics for confidence in variant calling. These are needed to achieve the confidence in measurement results expected for sound, reproducible research and regulated applications in the clinic.  NIST has convened the “Genome-in-a-Bottle Consortium” to develop the reference materials, reference methods, and reference data needed to assess confidence in human whole genome variant calls. A principal motivation for this consortium is to develop an infrastructure of widely accepted reference materials and accompanying performance metrics to provide a strong scientific foundation for the development of regulations and professional standards for clinical sequencing.

10:00 Coffee Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing

 

VENTURE CAPITAL & INVESTMENT BANKING

10:30 Panel Discussion

This “Funding to IPO Panel” consists of some of the top venture capitalists and investment bankers in therapeutics, diagnostics, and consumer genetics. This series of presentations and follow-on panel, will take attendees through the financial cycle – from funding to IPO, with VC’s and bankers highlighting the corporate criteria most important to them, and the metrics by which they make their decisions.
Panelists:

Geert-Jan Mulder, M.D., General Partner, Forbion Capital

Alexis Borisy, Partner, Third Rock Ventures

Steve Gullans, Managing Director, Excel Venture Management

Jamie Streator, Managing Director, Healthcare Investment Banking, Cowen & Company

Speaker to be Announced, Barclays

12:15 pm Luncheon Presentation (Sponsorship Opportunity Available)
or Lunch on Your Own

 

GENOME DATA: THE PHYSICIAN’S PERSPECTIVE

1:45 Panel Discussion

While making the effort to deploy genomics and sequence data in preventative and clinical care is a noble cause, it is also one that requires pragmatic solutions. This panel discussion will address practical issues related to the day-to-day use of genomic technologies in the clinic — from hospital to private practice to academia.

Steve Murphy, M.D., Managing Partner, Wellspring Total Health (Moderator)
Panelists:

Michael Murray, M.D., Clinical Chief, Genetics Division, Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Instructor, Harvard Medical School, The Harvard Clinical and Translational Science Center

Isaac Samuel Kohane, M.D., Ph.D., Henderson Professor of Health Sciences and Technology, Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School; Director, Countway Library of Medicine; Director, i2b2 National Center for Biomedical Computing; Co-Director, HMS Center for Biomedical Informatics

3:00 Refreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing

 

GENOME INTERPRETATION

3:30 Omicia: Interpreting Genomes for Clinical Relevance

Martin G. Reese, President and CEO, Omicia

Automatic annotation of variants and integration of disparate data sources is just the first step in the eventual adoption of genomes into clinical practice. The next step is reducing this complexity into the very few, actionable clinically relevant findings. We will show how we integrate such methods within an automated, comprehensive and easy-to-use platform for the interpretation of individual genome data. This system allows for prioritizing variants with respect to its potential clinical impact and is preloaded with clinical gene sets and proprietary annotations to enhance discovery and reporting of personal genes and variants. Furthermore, it is extensible and allows the integration of the user’s proprietary gene and variants sets. We will show several exome and genome analyses.

3:50 Personalized Genomic Interpretation with SNPedia and Promethease

Mike Cariaso, Founder, SNPedia; Author of Promethease

With whole genome prices falling and microarray genotyping accessible to ordinary people over the internet, the challenge is no longer in acquiring the raw data, but in interpreting and using it. In this talk, I will outline a freely available database of literature, organized by the relevant DNA position and phenotypic effects. A complementary analysis program reads raw genomic data and produces a hyperlinked and searchable report of known associations. It can also perform special processing of family trios (child, mother, father), make predictions about offspring, and identify shared ancestry.

4:10 GenoSpace: Creating an Information Ecosystem for 21st Century Genomic Medicine

John Quackenbush, Ph.D., Professor, Biostatistics and Computational Biology, Cancer Biology Center for Cancer Computational Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

New sequencing technologies are driving the cost of genomic data generation to unprecedented lows, making sequencing available as a potentially valuable clinical and diagnostic tool. The challenge is solving “the last 100 yards” problem–delivering the data to those who need to access it in a manner in which they can use it effectively. GenoSpace has developed technology to connect the diverse consumers and producers of genomic data, creating an ecosystem in which we have the potential to advance genomic medicine.

 

VISIONS FOR PERSONALIZED MEDICINE

 

» 4:30 KEYNOTE PRESENTATION

The Big Picture: Visions for Personalized Medicine

Jay Flatley, President and CEO, Illumina

 

Illumnia logo small5:30 Social Event and Party

 

DAY 3: APPLICATIONS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5

8:00 am Morning Coffee

» 8:30 KEYNOTE PRESENTATION 

An Inside Look at How AncestryDNA Uses Population Genetics to Enrich Its Online Family History Experience

Kenneth Chahine, Ph.D., J.D., Senior Vice President & General Manager, DNA, ancestry.com

Ancestry.com is the world’s largest online resource for family history with an extensive collection of over 10 billion historical records that are digitized, indexed and made available online over the past 13 years. In May 2012, AncestryDNA launched a direct-to-consumer genealogical DNA test that delivers two results to customers. The first result predicts identity-by-descent and allows the customer to find genetic relatives within the AncestryDNA customer database. The second determines the customer’s admixture to provide a predicted genetic ethnicity using a state-of-the-art algorithm. The AncestryDNA team leverages pedigrees, documents, geographical information and its extensive biobank of worldwide DNA samples to conduct innovative research in population genetics and translates the complexities of genetic science into a simple, understandable, and meaningful user experience.

 

9:15 Past, Present and Future of Consumer Genetics, a Pioneer’s Perspective

Rosalynn Gill, Ph.D., Vice President, Clinical Affairs, Boston Heart Diagnostics

The first consumer genetics company, Sciona, founded by Rosaylnn Gill, launched its services in April 2001 in the UK in what was either a breakthrough in innovation or an act of incredible naiveté. Twelve years later, many lessons have been learned, but the jury is still out on the appropriate regulatory framework, the necessary industry standards and what constitutes a sustainable business model.

9:45 Sponsored Presentation (Opportunity Available)

10:15 Coffee Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing

 

PRENATAL/NEONATAL DIAGNOSTICS 

10:45 Panel Discussion

Panelists will first give a brief presentation and then convene for a panel discussion.

Meredith Salisbury, Senior Consultant, Bioscribe (Moderator)

Neonatal Genomic Medicine

Neil A. Miller, Director of Informatics, Center for Pediatric Genomic Medicine, Children’s Mercy Hospital

The causal gene is known for more than 3,500 monogenic diseases. Many of these can present in the neonatal period, causing up to 30% of neonatal intensive care unit admissions. In the last six months, we have started to offer very rapid diagnostic testing for these diseases at Children’s Mercy Hospital based on genome sequencing. The emerging indications and utility of neonatal genomic medicine will be discussed.

Screening Neonates by Targeted Next-Generation DNA Sequencing

Arindam Bhattacharjee, Ph.D., CEO and Founder, Parabase Genomics

We are developing a neonatal genome sequencing test that will allow screening and diagnosis of primarily newborns and infants affected with a disease or condition allowing prompt treatment. The current approach of DNA based genetic screening for symptomatic and high-risk is not focused around neonates, and so healthcare providers and parents are unable to understand the cause and treatment of the condition in absence of clear symptoms. Our test is unique in that it simultaneously screens and/or diagnoses hundreds of these conditions at once from a single sample, providing more comprehensive information to families and their physicians. It is yet affordable, and provides access to the high-resolution sequence data.

Using NGS Sequencing to Improve the Standard of Care for Routine Genetic Carrier Screening

Don Hardison, President & CEO, Good Start Genetics, Inc.

11:45 Luncheon Presentation (Sponsorship Opportunity Available)
or Lunch on Your Own

 

NUTRITION, FOOD GENETICS & COSMETICS

1:00 The Importance of Genetic Testing-Directed Vitamin Use

Dennis Gilbert, Ph.D., Founder, President and CEO, VitaPath Genetics

VitaPath Genetics, Inc. has developed a platform for genomic-based tests that determine the need for vitamin therapy in medically actionable conditions. Using its platform, VitaPath can develop specific vitamin-remediated risk assays that help manage the use of the $30 billion spent on supplements in the U.S. each year. The first test developed by VitaPath measures genetic risk factors associated with the spina bifida to identify women who would benefit from low-risk, prescription strength folic acid supplementation.

1:20 Using Weight Management Genetic Testing in Nutrition Counseling:
A Dietitian Weighs in on the Matter

Cindy Crowninshield, RD, LDN, Licensed Registered Dietitian, Body Therapeutics & Sodexo; Founder, Eat2BeWell & Eat4YourGenes; Conference Director, Cambridge Healthtech Institute

Between January-July 2012, 15 patients took a weight management genetic test to support their weight loss efforts. An individualized nutrition plan based on their eating and lifestyle habits and test results was created for each person. Data and several case studies will be presented to show how successful these patients were in achieving their weight loss goals. Challenges and opportunities will be discussed. Also presented will be tips and suggestions for genetic testing companies on how they can work best with a private practitioner’s office.

1:40 How Microfluidics is Changing the Landscape of Personalized Cosmetics

David A. Weitz, Ph.D., Mallinckrodt Professor of Physics and Applied Physics, Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

2:00 Refreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall with Poster Viewing

 

DISEASE DIAGNOSTICS

2:30 Clinical Sequencing and Mitochondrial Disease

Kevin McKernan, CSO, Courtagen Life Sciences

We describe the results from sequencing 64 patients’ Mitochondrial genomes in conjunction with 1,100 nuclear genes. Complementing this data with multiplex ELISA assays to monitor protein levels in the blood can provide additional insight to variants of unknown significance and aid therapeutic decisions.

2:50 A Paradigm Shift: Universal Screening Test

Samuil R. Umansky, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc., Co-founder, CSO, and President, DiamiR LLC

We will present a fundamentally new approach to the development of a screening test aimed at diseases of various organ systems, organs and tissues. The test is non-invasive and cost efficient. The data we will present demonstrate the potential of our approach for early detection of neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and inflammatory diseases of gastrointestinal and pulmonary systems.

 

THE EMPOWERED PATIENT

3:10 Genomes R Us – How Personalized Medicine is Reshaping the Role of Patients, and Why It Matters

Craig Martin, CEO, Feinstein Kean Healthcare

Much has been said about the advancements in science underlying the genomic revolution. We are beginning now to see the impact at the clinical level, and there’s more to come in the pipeline. But what does this shift in medicine do to change the role of the patient? This presentation provides insights into how best to engage with patient communities to expedite research, commercialization and market impact of innovative technologies, diagnostics and treatments, and to help validate the relative efficacy of such advancements in a value-driven world.

3:40 Consumer Empowerment in Health Care and Personal Genomics: Ethical, Societal and Regulatory Considerations

Gholson Lyon, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor in Human Genetics, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory; Research Scientist, Utah Foundation for Biomedical Research

The pace of exome and genome sequencing is accelerating with the identification of many new disease-causing mutations in research settings, and it is likely that whole exome or genome sequencing could have a major impact in the clinical arena in the relatively near future. However, the human genomics community is currently facing several challenges, including phenotyping, sample collection, sequencing strategies, bioinformatics analysis, biological validation of variant function, clinical interpretation and validity of variant data, and delivery of genomic information to various constituents. I will review these challenges, with an eye toward consumer genetics.

4:10 It Hurts Less If You Know More: An Empowered Patient’s Diagnostic Odyssey

Richard Kellner, Co-Founder and President, Genome Health Solutions, Inc.

For the early detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer, there is a wide gap between current “standards of care” and what is possible through the use of advanced genomic technologies. Over the past two years I learned this lesson first hand through personal experiences involving myself, close friends and family members. My story is one of serendipity, frustration and then hope. I learned that, unfortunately, where you live and who you know can greatly influence your quality of care. I also learned that you can overcome these limitations by becoming an “empowered patient” who actively seeks out doctors who are willing to get outside of their comfort zones and practice “participatory medicine,” sometimes at the cutting edge of new precision diagnostics. I will present a new roadmap that both patients and doctors can follow toward a new era of personalized genomic medicine.

 

COMPANIES THAT EMPOWER THE PATIENT

4:40 23andMe’s DTC Exome

Brian T. Naughton, Ph.D., Founding Scientist, 23andMe

In October 2011, 23andMe launched a $999 direct-to-consumer exome product to a limited group of customers.This talk presents findings from this project, including the ubiquitous issue of variants of unknown significance.

5:10 Winding the Asklepian Wand: The Advent of Whole Genomes in Healthcare

Nathan Pearson, Ph.D., Director of Research, Knome, Inc.

With ever cheaper sequencing, richer reference data, and sharper interpretation methods, the clinical use of whole genomes is taking root in pediatrics, oncology, and beyond. Our genomes will ultimately join other cornerstones of clinical care, helping us stay healthier from birth to old age. But that prospect will require fast, robust pipelines that smartly interpret genomes, in the context of good phenotype data, and feed decisive insights back to patients and caregivers. Learn how Knome is making that happen.

5:40 Close of Conference

Source:

http://www.consumergeneticsconference.com/cgc_content.aspx?id=117407&libID=117355

 

Read Full Post »

Tumor cell galactins blocked by citrus pectins.

Curator: Meg Baker, PhD, Reg Patent Agent

Posted 13 Mar 2012 in Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP)

Inhibition of Cancer Cell Growth and Metastases

By Jim English and Ward Dean, MD

Modified citrus pectin (MCP) is a unique dietary fiber that is produced by processing natural citrus pectin by altering its pH and splitting the carbohydrate chains to form a low molecular-weight, water-soluble fiber that is rich in galactose. Galectins (GAL, LGALS) are a family of lectins that contain conserved carbohydrate-recognition domains (CRDs) of about 130 amino acids with specificity for β-galactosides found on both N- and O-linked glycans. Cancer cells are prone to express various of the 15 identified galactose binding lectins, transport them to the plasma membrane and release soluble forms in the extracellular space, allowing diverse interactions involved in cell migration, adhesion and angiogenesis. Specific galactions have unique functions: GAL3 plays a role in regulating transcription factors including miRNA (Ramasamy, S. Mol Cell 27 (6) 992-1004, 21 Sept 2007 , http://www.cell.com/molecular-cell/retrieve/pii/S1097276507005631). Gal-9 interaction with TIM-3 was recently demonstrated to have a role in suppression of immune response http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20574007 . English and Dean review data showing that MCP derived from the pulp and peel of citrus fruits can attach to cancer cells, and oral dosing with MCP prevented metastatic spread of injected prostate cancer cells in animals. These data provide evidence that daily ingestion of plant pectins may be beneficial in preventing or suppressing metastatic cancer.

Read Full Post »

Cardiovascular Outcomes: Function of circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells (cEPCs): Exploring Pharmaco-therapy targeted at Endogenous Augmentation of cEPCs

Author and Curator: Aviva Lev-Ari, PhD, RN

UPDATED on 1/25/2018

The secret to building a strong heart lies in blood vessels, Stanford researcher find

Curiously, blood flow through those missing vessels – and the oxygen it provides – is only part of the story. In a follow-up experiment, the researchers grew heart muscles in a dish along with endothelial cells that had not yet formed into blood vessels. The team found that when those endothelial cells produced no Ino80, the heart muscle didn’t develop properly. Apparently, Red-Horse said, “endothelial cells are producing something that’s a growth factor” for cardiac muscle cells. “The next step is to identify that factor.”

https://news.stanford.edu/2018/01/25/secret-building-strong-heart-blood-vessels/

This is a post in Clinical Cardiology Frontiers:

  • Resident-Cell-based Therapy and
  • Molecular Cardiology

An Overview of the State of  Science on Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells (cEPCs) and Cardiovascular Outcomes: Exploring Pharmaco-therapy targeted at Endogenous augmentation of cEPCs

 

Werner (2005) reported that after 12 months a total of 43 participants died, 23 from cardiovascular(CV) causes. A first major cardiovascular event occurred in 214 patients in 519 patients with coronary artery disease as confirmed on angiography. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) derived from bone marrow are believed to support the integrity of the vascular endothelium. His study identified that the number and function of endothelial progenitor cells correlate inversely with cardiovascular risk factors, but the prognostic value associated with circulating endothelial progenitor cells has not been defined. The level of circulating CD34+KDR+endothelial progenitor cells predicts the occurrence of cardiovascular events and death from cardiovascular causes and may help to identify patients at increased cardiovascular risk. The number of endothelial progenitor cells positive for CD34 and kinase insert domain receptor (KDR) was determined with the use of flow cytometry, they evaluated the association between baseline levels of endothelial progenitor cells and death from cardiovascular causes, the occurrence of a first major cardiovascular event (myocardial infarction, hospitalization, revascularization, or death from cardiovascular causes), revascularization, hospitalization, and death from all causes (italics added).

Werner (2005) reported that after 12 months a total of 43 participants died, 23 from cardiovascular(CV) causes. A first major cardiovascular event occurred in 214 patients in 519 patients with coronary artery disease as confirmed on angiography. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) derived from bone marrow are believed to support the integrity of the vascular endothelium. His study identified that the number and function of endothelial progenitor cells correlate inversely with cardiovascular risk factors, but the prognostic value associated with circulating endothelial progenitor cells has not been defined. The level of circulating CD34+KDR+endothelial progenitor cells predicts the occurrence of cardiovascular events and death from cardiovascular causes and may help to identify patients at increased cardiovascular risk. The number of endothelial progenitor cells positive for CD34 and kinase insert domain receptor (KDR) was determined with the use of flow cytometry, they evaluated the association between baseline levels of endothelial progenitor cells and death from cardiovascular causes, the occurrence of a first major cardiovascular event (myocardial infarction, hospitalization, revascularization, or death from cardiovascular causes), revascularization, hospitalization, and death from all causes (italics added).

In light of the inverse correlation found between CV risk and enumeration and function of cEPCs, this study proposes a pharmaco-therapeutic method to enhance the cell count by a method of endogenous augmentation as presented in Part II and called ElectEagle.

 

Phenotypic Identification of Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells (cEPCs)

 

In the current state of science on cEPCs, the definition of these cells is ambiguous, as found in Fadini et al. (2004) letter to the Editors of Heart. On this subject, additional five letters were addressed to NEJM Editor in 2005, in reference to Werner et al. (2005) article Correspondence titled: Circulation Endothelial Progenitor Cells. Werner et al. (2005) was in fact the stimulant for this project which takes his result as a starting point and carries the research into pharmaco-therapy and device design for diagnostic based on a quantitative model derived from Werner’s data.

In the article in Heart, peripheral blood CD34+ cells are defined as endothelial progenitor cells. In Fadini’s concern he notes that cEPCs represent a subset of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) expressing immature surface markers common to hematopoietic stem cells and endothelial lineage markers. By contrast CD34 represents a marker of immature staminal cells that may be used to characterize EPCs together with other surface antigens, but that identifies not only EPCs. Peripheral blood CD34+ cells form a very heterogeneous pool containing also CD45+ cells (lymphatic precursors), CD14+ cells (monocyte/macrophage lineage precursors) and other non-hematopoietic cells not belonging to the endothelial lineage.

Fadini’s concern is supported by George et al. (2006), who concluded that current methods for quantitatively assessing numbers of circulating EPC are not correlated. George’s findings may suggest that CD34/KDR is more appropriate for the definition of circulating EPC, whereas CFU (colony forming Unit) numbers are more likely to reflect their ability to proliferate. Fadini’s research supports the percentage of EPCs among the CD34+ pool vary widely from patient to patient and, in the same patient, under different pathophysiological conditions, indicating possible peripheral differentiation rather than bone-marrow mobilization. His observation is supported by Lapidot & Petit (2002) and Hur et al., (2004).

Furthermore, CD133 is considered the best surface marker to define, identify and isolate circulating EPCs. Even if the exact phenotype of EPCs has not been clearly established, additional markers reflecting endothelial commitment, including Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 (VEGFR-2 or KDR), Platelet-Endothelial Cells Adhesion Molecule-1 (PECAM-1 or CD31), Vascular Endothelial-Cadherin, von Willebrand Factor, c-kit, Tie-2 and VEGFR-1, are required. Using flow cytometry less than 0,001% of PBMNCs is identified as EPCs, but two or three markers are needed to avoid unspecific count. Thus minimal requirement to identify EPCs should be the parallel use of CD34 (or CD133) and KDR expression, as supported by George (2006).

Thus, he suggests that PBMNCs-derived CD34+ cells may not be used to identify EPCs. Fadini suggests that if we consider that EPCs or CD34+ cells stimulate angiogenesis in a paracrine way by means of producing growth factors, then, it would be more appropriate to call them “Circulating Angiogenic Cells” (CACs) as already proposed. EPCs reduction and endothelial dysfunction as observed by circulating cells and vascular wall cells of diabetic patients are exposed to high oxidative stress, thus increased apoptosis or reduced peripheral differentiation are likely to explain low EPCs counts. Several other clinical conditions characterized by poor endothelial function, like diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension, autoimmune disorders (such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus), chronic renal diseases, etc., all are likely to be influenced by EPCs reduction (Fadini, 2004).

The five letters to NEJM Editor, Kim et al (2005) are of great scientific merit and of great interest to this project. We are developing new intellectual property (IP) in several forms in Part II and Part III. The IP in Part III is actually using Werner et al. (2005a) data, for our method called ElectEagle. Therefore, here, Werner’s (2005b) points will be considered as his reply to the five letter correspondence and no discussion of the content of the five letters is presented.

  •           Werner & Nickenig (2005b) disagree with Bertolini et al. that CD34+KDR+ cells are mature circulating endothelial cells. Endothelial cells are predominantly identified by the presence of CD146 (and results of Boos et al., as described in their letter).
  •           In Werner et al (2005a), CD146+ circulating endothelial cells were not predictive of cardiovascular outcomes, which indicates that CD34+KDR+ cells differ substantially from circulating endothelial cells (unpublished data). It is an accepted standard to identify circulating endothelial progenitor cells by the presence of CD34 and KDR.
  •           To confirm the results, Werner et al (2005a) measured CD133+ endothelial progenitor cells and obtained similar results, which appear in the online Supplementary Appendix to our article.
  •           Drs. Ott and Taylor suggest calculating the absolute number of endothelial progenitor cells with the use of peripheral-blood mononuclear cells or lymphocytes. However, absolute cell counts measured by flow cytometry can be determined only with the use of enumeration systems (e.g., flow count beads).
  •           At present, we cannot think of a major advantage to measuring the absolute number of endothelial progenitor cells. The method provided allows a single measurement that is easy to perform, highly predictive, and transferable to other laboratories.
  •           Dr. Kim and Dr. Leu and colleagues address  the role of endothelial progenitor cells in acute coronary syndromes and acute myocardial infarction. Only one study has investigated the mobilization of CD34+KDR+ endothelial progenitor cells in myocardial infarction, whereas other studies have measured CD34+ cells or non–endothelial progenitor cell subfractions.
  •           None of the studies have systematically looked at the time course directly after acute myocardial infarction, owing to the fact that the exact onset of myocardial infarction is difficult to determine. Treatment of myocardial infarction requires the administration of multiple drugs that may influence the number of endothelial progenitor cells. Therefore, current data on progenitor cells in myocardial infarction are questionable.
  •           In order to elucidate the mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells after myocardial infarction, Werner et al (2005a) measured the number of CD34+KDR+ cells in patients undergoing transcoronary ablation of septal hypertrophy (unpublished data). Preliminary results indicate that directly after myocardial infarction, the number of endothelial progenitor cells decreases as a result of consumption of cells within the ischemic region. The increase in cells described previously may be due to medical treatment.
  •           No patient who was included in the study had had a recent ischemic event, so misclassification of patients was not an issue.
  •           Werner et al. (2005a) did not find an association between high sensitivity CRP measures and the number of endothelial progenitor cells. To their knowledge, there are no data available on the association between endothelial progenitor cells and inflammatory markers in a similar population of patients. Data that are available come from in vitro, animal, and small-scale studies investigating the role of endothelial progenitor cells in acute coronary syndromes. Since their study population consisted mainly of patients with stable coronary artery disease, this may explain the lack of an association.

Circulating Endothelial Cells (cECs) and Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells (cEPCs)

Vascular endothelial cells (EC) respond to numerous pathophysiological stimuli such as growth factors, cytokines, lipoproteins, and oxidative stress. Prolonged or unregulated activation of these cells often results in a loss of EC integrity and, thus, dysfunction—a process that can be assessed by the use of specific plasma markers such as von Willebrand factor (vWf), tissue plasminogen activator, soluble EC protein C receptor, soluble E selectin, and soluble thrombomodulin, as well as physiological techniques such as flow-mediated dilatation (FMD). Indeed, endothelial perturbation in cancer may well contribute to an increased risk of thrombosis in these patients. (Goon et al., 2006)

The presence of circulating endothelial cells (cECs) has recently been recognized as a useful marker of vascular damage. Usually absent in the blood of healthy individuals, cECs counts are elevated in diseases hallmarked by the presence of vascular insult, such as sickle cell anemia, acute myocardial infarction, Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, endotoxemia, and neoplastic processes. Current opinion suggests toxemia, that cECs are cells driven from the intima after vascular insult, and are thus the consequence—rather than the initiator—of a particular pathology (Goon et al., 2006).

A related circulating cell population are endothelial progenitor cells (cEPCs), which originate from the bone marrow, rather than from vessel walls. Seen in small numbers in healthy individuals, their numbers tend to increase following vascular injury. So far, experiments have established the ability of EPCs to form colonies in vitro, suggesting a role in both angio-genesis and in the, maintenance of existing vessel walls.

CEC are generally accepted as cells expressing endothelial markers [e.g., vWf, CD146, and vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin)] in the absence of hematopoietic (CD45 and CD14) and progenitor (CD133) markers. Interestingly, the progenitor marker CD34 is also present on mature cECs. Although CD146 is widely regarded as the principal marker for cECs (mature cell form), it has also been described in trophoblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, periodontal and malignant (prostatic cancer and melanoma) tissues, and activated lymphocytes (Goon et al., 2006).

Optimal Method for cECs and cEPCs Quantification (Cell Count) Remains Unknown

Together with EPCs, cECs only represent between 0.01% and 0.0001% of mononuclear cells in normal peripheral blood (Khan et al. (2005), making it very difficult to accurately quantify their numbers. To do this, it is often necessary to employ cell enrichment techniques combined with specific cell marker labeling.  The immunobead capture method (immunomagnetic beads bearing CD146 antibodies) developed by George et al. (1992) is the most widely used. Immunobeads have been successfully employed by other investigators, albeit with modifications [e.g., addition of EDTA and albumin to minimize cECs autoaggregation; drying cECs on a glass slide before counting (this enables storage at room temperature and secondary labeling); use of UEA-1 (an EC-specific stain); addition of an Fc receptor blocking agent, and double labeling for further analyses (e.g., for CD31 and CD34)]. After cell separation, either fluorescence microscopy, immunocyto-chemistry, or flow cytometry is used to confirm the endothelial chemistry, phenotype of the cells. Other methods used to concentrate mononuclear cell suspensions include standard and density (Lymphoprep, Axis-Shield, Oslo, Norway; Percoll, Sigma, St. Louis, MO; Ficoll, Sigma) centrifugation and mononuclear cell culturing on fibronectin-coated plates. The main alter- alternative to the immunobead method is flow cytometry” (Goon, 2006).

Werner et al. (2005a) used the following method for Flow Cytometry — For fluorescence-activated cell-sorting analysis, mononuclear cells were resuspended in 100 µl of a fluorescence-activated cell-sorting buffer containing phosphate-buffered saline, 0.1 percent bovine albumin, and aprotinin (20 µl per milliliter). Immunofluorescent cell staining was performed with the use of the fluorescent conjugated antibody CD34–fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) (10 µl; Becton Dickinson), KDR (kinase insert domain receptor), and CD133–phycoerythrin (PE) (10 µl; Miltenyi). For the identification of KDR+ cells, indirect immunolabeling was performed with the use of a biotinylated goat mononuclear antibody against the extracellular domain of human KDR (R&D Systems). IgG2a–FITC–PE antibody (Becton Dickinson) served as a negative control. For staining of KDR, extensive blocking was required with the use of human immunoglobulin (polyglobulin, 10 percent; Bayer) and goat serum (Sigma-Aldrich). Cell fluorescence was measured immediately after staining, and data were analyzed with the use of CellQuest software (FACS Calibur, Becton Dickinson). Units of all measured components are absolute cell counts obtained after the measurement of 10,000 events in the lymphocyte gate. To assess the reproducibility of the measurements, two separate blood samples were obtained, on days 0 and 7, from 10 subjects. The intraclass correlation between the two probes was 0.94. Probes were measured at the same time of day, with identical instrument settings, by two investigators. For each patient, a corresponding negative control with IgG2a–FITC–PE antibody was obtained.

Colony-Forming Units of Endothelial Cells (Werner et al. 2005a)

In an endothelial basal medium (CellSystems) with supplements, 1×107 mononuclear cells were seeded on human fibronectin–coated plates (Sigma-Aldrich). After 48 hours, 1×106 nonadherent cells were transferred into new fibronectin-coated wells to avoid contamination with mature endothelial cells and nonprogenitor cells.22 After seven days in vitro, endothelial colony-forming units in at least three wells were counted by two independent investigators. Colony-forming units of endothelial cells are expressed as absolute numbers of colonies per well. (Werner, et al. 2005)

George et al. (2006) reports using the following method while performing an analysis of several methods used for cEPCs assessment and correlated them with humoral factors known to influence their numbers:

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were obtained and stained for FACS analysis with antibodies to CD34, CD45, CD133, and KDR and the remaining cells grown under endothelial cell conditions for assessment of colony-forming unit (CFU) numbers and adhesive properties. Levels of circulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), erythropoietin (EPO), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined and correlated with each of the EPC markers.

Pathophysiology of cECs

The endothelium can be viewed as a membrane-like layer lining the circulatory system, its primary function being the maintenance of vessel wall permeability and integrity. The EC layer is relatively quiescent, with an estimated cell turnover period of between 47 and 23,000 days, as shown by labeling studies. Proliferation seems to occur mainly at sites of vasculature branching and turbulent flow. cECs are thought to have ‘‘sloughed off’’ vessel walls, indicating severe endothelial damage. Thus, unsurprisingly, cECs have been shown to correlate with various endothelial dysfunction and inflammatory markers.

Although not fully understood, it would appear that cECs detachment from the endothelium involves multiple factors, such as mechanical injury, alteration of endothelial cellular adhesion molecules (such as integrin alphaVbeta3), defective binding to anchoring matrix proteins (such as fibronectin, laminin, or type IV collagen), and cellular apoptosis with decreased survival of cytoskeletal proteins. The net effect is a reduced interaction between the EC and basement membrane proteins, with subsequent cellular detachment (Goon et al. 2006).

 

Pathophysiology of cEPCs

In Science 1997, Asahara et al. was the first to isolate EPC in human peripheral blood, using anti-CD34 monoclonal antibodies. With the use of CD133, an antigen specifically identifying primitive stem cells, a novel means to precisely delineate mature (cECs) from immature (cEPCs) EC forms was possible (Asahara et al. 1997), although this antigen is only present in human EPCs and cannot be applied to mouse EPCs (Rafii et al. 2003). To detect cEPCs in peripheral blood, Flow Cytometry and culture have become the principal methods employed. Other markers used include vWf, VE-cadherin, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-KDR) and binding by lectins and acetylated low-density lipoproteins (Peichev et al. 2000, Rafii et al. 2003).

cEPCs are potentially crucial for neovascularization and may be recruited from the bone marrow after tissue ischemia, vascular insult, or tumor growth (Rafii et al. 2003). They possess the ability to migrate, colonize, proliferate, and, ultimately, differentiate into endothelial lineage cells. These cells have yet to acquire mature ECs characteristics while appearing to contribute to vascular homeostasis.

cEPCs have been isolated previously from human umbilical cord blood, adult bone marrow, human fetal liver cells, and cytokine-mobilized peripheral blood, and an increase in cEPCs follows in vivo administration of the angiogenic growth factor VEGF. When incubated with VEGF, fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), and insulin-like growth factor, CD133+ cells differentiated into mature-type adherent EC, expressing endothelial-specific cell markers (vWf and VE-VE cadherin) and abolishing CD133 expression (Goon, 2006). Generation of endothelial outgrowths that are positive for CD146, vWf (mature endothelial growth markers), and CD36 (a representative scavenger receptor marker as well as a microvascular marker) markers from circulating mononuclear cells (of donor genotype in bone marrow transplant patients), strongly suggests the viability and proliferative potential of cEPCs.

cEPCs recruitment and mobilization have been positively correlated with increased levels of angiogenic growth factors such as VEGF which induces the proliferation, differentiation, and chemotaxis of cEPCs, and is essential for hematopoiesis, angiogenesis, and, ultimately, survival.  cEPCs influence cells mainly by interactions with VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2, both being receptors expressed on hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and cEPCs. In another study, granulocyte colony-colony stimulating factor also increased the number of CD34 stimulating CD34+ cells, potentially stimulating neovascularization in areas of is- ischemic myocardium Other angiogenic growth factors stimulating cEPCs mobilization include angiopoietin-1, FGF, SDF-1, PlGF, and (in mice) macrophage colony-stimulating factor. After mobilization, cEPCs appear to “home in” and become incorporated into sites of vascular injury and ischemia, with evidence of improvement in the function and viability of tissue (e.g., after acute myocardial infarction) (Kocher et al. 2001).

Chemotactic agents responsible for this process include VEGF and SDF-1, but others may also be involved. In the clinical setting, moderate exercise of patients with stable coronary artery diseases leads to a significant increase in cEPCs (Laufs et al. 2004). Furthermore, cEPCs and HSC introduced into the circulation of acute and chronic cardiovascular disease patients through injection have shown vascular encouraging preliminary results, with evidence of improved cardiovascular function and tissue perfusion Tse et al. (2003); as of yet, there are no randomized control trial!

Recent reports suggest that cECs and cEPCs enumeration can be used to monitor antiangiogenesis drug therapy with some success. This exciting prospect needs to be fully corroborated in a clinical setting. In addition, cECs and cEPCs monitoring would need to be efficient, specific, robust, and reproducible. Therefore, it is vital to reach a general consensus regarding definitions and techniques for cECs and cEPCs quantification, in order to validate further reports that have implications for future clinical trials involving these markers (Goon, 2006).

In 2002, matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) was identified as the molecular key to the release of EPCs from the bone-marrow compartment via cleavage of membrane kit ligand (Heissig et al., 2002). MMP-9 activity has also been shown to be upregulated by SDF-1alpha, VEGF, and hypoxia. Hypoxia is a potent stimulus for neovascularization, ischemia-induced growth, EPC trafficking and upregulation, vascular malformations and malignant endothelial cell tumors. This include activation of two upstream mediators of vasculogenesis, SDF-1 alpha and MMP-9, during the proliferative phase via EPC mediated vasculogenesis when these stem cells may rapidly proliferate in the ischemic tissue resulting in growth.

How a mobilized population of progenitor cells homes to ischemic tissue under repair was examined using bone-marrow transplantation studies. Following this procedure, reconstitution is regulated by chemokine ligand-receptor pair, stromal-cell derived factor 1 (SDF-1) and CXCR4 (Lapidot & Petit, 2002 reporting their discovery of 1999). EPCs express CXCR4, CXCR4/SDF-1 signal for EPC homing to peripheral sites of neovascularization. EPC SDF-1alpha expression was increased in proportion to reduced oxygen tension and this correlated with EPC localization in the most ischemic tissue sections (Kleinman, et al. 2005).

Table 1: Humoral factors known to influence eCPCs numbers

CD34 CD45 CD133 KDR CD34/KDRMost appropriate Definition of cEPCs CD34/CD133/KDR CD34/CD133 Adhesive properpies
VEGF level corr Positive correlation
EPO
CRP
CFU Colony forming unit numbersReflects cEPCs ability to proliferate No corr No corr Negative correlation Positive correlation
Adhesive properties No corr No corr No corr No corr
CD34
CD45
CD133
KDR
CD34/CD133/KDR Positive correlation
CD34/CD133 No corr

 SOURCE:

Table 1 is constructed from data in George et al. (2005),(2006) who concluded that current methods for quantitatively assessing numbers of circulating EPC are not correlated. VEGF serum levels are associated only with CD34/KDR and CD34/ CD133/KDR, whereas CFU numbers correlate with EPC functional properties. These findings may suggest that CD34/KDR is more appropriate for the definition of circulating EPC, whereas CFU numbers are more likely to reflect their ability to proliferate.

 

Trans-Endothelium Cell Migration

Lapidot and Petit in a recent review of the stem cell mobilization research field concluded that the following are the seminal processes at work in the facilitation of transendothelium cell migration. These processes could mediate stem cell release and remodeling of the bone marrow microenvironment, followed by stem cell migration via the circulation, homing back to the bone marrow and repopulation of damaged/restructured sites in an organ as part of the continuous replenishment of the blood with new immature and maturing cells while maintaining undifferentiated stem cells (Lapidot and Petit, 2002).

  •       Regulation of hematopoietic stem cell release, migration, and homing to the bone marrow, as well as the mechanism of different mobilization pathways, involve a complex interplay between adhesion molecules, chemokines, cytokines, proteolytic enzymes, stromal cells, and hematopoietic cells, the mechanism is not fully understood;
  •       The chemokine, stromal derived factor-1 (SDF-1)and its receptor CXCR4 play a major role in stem cell mobilization, including granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and G-CSF with the chemotherapeutic agents cyclophosphamide Cy-induced mobilization, as well as in stem cell homing to the bone marrow and anchorage (i.e., activation of adhesion interactions in order to retain stem cells within the organ).
  •       They suggested that in addition to SDF-1 degradation and inactivation within the bone marrow by proteolytic enzymes such as neutrophil elastase, which is essential for optimal stem cell mobilization, interactions between this chemokine and its receptor are also needed for stem cell release and mobilization. For example, they suggested that IL-8, which is secreted in response to SDF-1 stimulation, and MMP-2 and MMP-9, which are mostly secreted by neutrophils but are also secreted by immature human CD34+ progenitor cells in response to stimulation with this chemokine, can also lead to migration away from the bone marrow across the endothelium into the circulation also in the absence of or against a gradient of SDF-1 under shear flow forces within the extravascular space of the bone marrow (Cinamon et al., 2001).
  •        They suggest that in order to maintain stem cells in the circulation low levels of surface CXCR4 are required and may be achieved by factors in the blood plasma such as proteolytic enzymes that can also cleave CXCR4 in addition to SDF-1 . Valenzuela-Fernandez (2002). Furthermore, increase in the levels of CXCR4 expression on the surface of stem cells in the circulation will mediate their homing and reengraftment of the bone marrow as part of homeostatic regulation of leukocyte trafficking as well as steady-state hematopoiesis and stem cell self-renewal, which go hand in hand with bone destruction and bone remodeling. However, this hypothesis is also an oversimplification of a much more complex and dynamic situation with physiological steady-state homeostatic as well as stress-induced mobilization situations in which the mechanisms and mode of regulation are still poorly understood.
  •        A significant number of studies in the past few years have revealed insights into regulation of hematopoietic stem cell release, migration, and homing as well as the mechanism of different mobilization pathways. However, the exact sequence of events involving many different molecules is still not clear. More importantly, in addition to results from clinical mobilization protocols using Cy and G-CSF, which demonstrate a role for SDF-1 and CXCR4 interactions in immature human CD34+ cell mobilization, two recent reports also demonstrate a role for these interactions in autologous and allogenic CD34+ cell homing and repopulation.
  •        Taken together, these results suggest that stem cell homing and release or mobilization are mirror images utilizing a similar mechanism and suggest manipulation of SDF-1/CXCR4 interactions in order to improve stem cell mobilization or to target migration of transplanted cells to specific organs. These results strongly support the idea that increasing the migration potential of immature human CD34+ cells prior to transplantation, either by short term stimulation with SCF and IL-6 and/or by cotransplantation with accessory cells. It could also increase homing and repopulation in transplanted patients, leading to improved treatment efficiencies and cure rates in clinical protocols.

 

Prospects and Limitations of Exogenous methods for cEPCs Augmentation

ElectEagle represents a conceptual formulation for several strategies to increase cEPCs number endogenously.

Additional posts on this Scientific Web Site on related topics are:

Lev-Ari, A., (2012S). Endothelial Dysfunction, Diminished Availability of cEPCs, Increasing CVD Risk for Macrovascular Disease – Therapeutic Potential of cEPCs

http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2012/08/27/endothelial-dysfunction-diminished-availability-of-cepcs-increasing-cvd-risk-for-macrovascular-disease-therapeutic-potential-of-cepcs/

Lev-Ari, A., (2012T). Vascular Medicine and Biology: CLASSIFICATION OF FAST ACTING THERAPY FOR PATIENTS AT HIGH RISK FOR MACROVASCULAR EVENTS Macrovascular Disease – Therapeutic Potential of cEPCs

http://pharmaceuticalintelligence.com/2012/08/24/vascular-medicine-and-biology-classification-of-fast-acting-therapy-for-patients-at-high-risk-for-macrovascular-events-macrovascular-disease-therapeutic-potential-of-cepcs/

Below, this method is contrasted with exogenous methods involving the cell-based vascular therapy approaches currently applied for angiogenesis (mature cell-derived generation of new vessels), vasculogenesis (EPC-dependent generation of new vessels), neovascularization (ischemic tissue) and re-endothelialization (injured blood vessel.)  The majority of these methods are exogenous involving implantation or transplantation of various kinds: genetically engineered vein grafts, vascular bioprosthesis, retroviral transduction of genetic modifications to over-express a therapeutic gene(s).Despite the hurdles quoted below, the outlook for EPC-based therapy for cardiovascular disease is promising.Among the remaining outstanding issues in this fast growing research discipline, Dzau et al., chart a perspective for future research directions (Dzau et al. 2005)

“Despite the encouraging results regarding the therapeutic potential of EPCs, several issues currently stand in the way of their wide clinical application. Strategies need to be developed to enhance the number of EPCs to allow the harvesting of adequate number for therapeutic application. The limited ability to expand PB-MNC–derived EPCs in culture to yield sufficient number for clinical application indicates that alternative sources of cells (i.e., chord blood) or strategies to increase their number endogenously need to be explored. We believe that further characterization of the biology of EPCs, the nature of the mobilizing, migratory and homing signals, and the mechanisms of differentiation and incorporation into the target tissues need to be identified and further characterized. Strategies to improve retention and survival of the transplanted cells need to be developed as well. The issues of the timing of cell administration, the appropriate clinical condition, the optimal cell number, and, most importantly, the safety of cell transplantation must be defined. There is urgent need to standardize the protocols for isolation, cultivation, and therapeutic application for cell-based therapy. Finally, large-scale randomized, controlled, multi-centric trials will be essential to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of EPC therapy for treatment of tissue ischemia and vessel repair amid concerns of potential side effects such as neovascularization of occult neoplasias and the development of age- and diabetes-related vasculopathies. Despite these hurdles, the outlook for EPC-based therapies for tissue ischemia and blood vessel repair appears promising. Genetic engineering of EPC may provide an important strategy to enhance EPC mobilization, survival, engraftment, and function, thereby rendering these cells efficient therapeutic modalities for cardiovascular diseases.” (italics added).

In the Brief Review in Hypertension, Dzau et al., list several serious potential problems with therapeutic use of EPCs (Dzau et al. 2005)

“Although the preclinical and clinical studies reviewed here generally lend support to the therapeutic potential of autologous EPCs in the treatment of tissue ischemia and repair of injured blood vessels, the clinical application of EPCs is limited by several factors. First, the scarcity of cEPCs makes it difficulty to expand sufficient number of cells for therapeutic application without incurring the risk of cell senescence and change in phenotype (Asahara, et al., 1997, 1999). Furthermore, EPCs from patients with cardiovascular diseases display varying degrees of functional impairment (Vasa et al., 2001a, 2001b), (Hill et al., 2003), (Heeschen et al., 2004), (George et al., 2003), (Loomans et al., 2004), (Tepper et al., 2002). Aging and diabetes markedly reduce the availability and impair the function of EPCs (Hill et al., 2003), (Loomans et al., 2004), (Tepper et al., 2002), (Schatteman et al., 2000), (Scheubel et al., 2003), (Edelberg et al., 2002). Because older and diabetic patients are the most vulnerable populations for cardiovascular diseases, this severely restricts the ability to treat with autologous EPCs the patients who theoretically need them most.

The purity and developmental stage of the cells used for transplantation are important factors. Yoon et al reported recently that injection of total bone marrow cells into the heart of infarcted rats could potentially lead to severe intramyocardial calcifications (Yoon et al., 2004). In contrast, animals receiving the same number of clonally expanded bone marrow cells did not show myocardial calcification. Thus, this finding brings attention to the potential risks of transplanting unselected bone marrow cells and cautions against their premature use in the clinical setting.

Exogenous mobilization of bone marrow with hematopoietic growth factors and other endothelial cell growth factors may recruit progenitor cells to sites of occult neoplasia, leading to vascularization of dormant tumors. In addition, mobilization could potentially accelerate progression of atherosclerotic plaque by recruiting inflammatory and vascular smooth muscle cell progenitor cells into the plaque, contributing to neointima hyperplasia and transplant arteriopathy (Caplice et al., 2003), (Sata et al., 2002). Increased rate of in-stent restenosis led recently to the cancellation of the MAGIC clinical trial using G-CSF for endogenous mobilization of progenitor cells in patients with myocardial infarction.120 Finally, there has been one study that has shown evidence that EPC may themselves contribute to allograft vasculopathy by promoting neovascularization of the plaque(Hu et al., 2003). However, another study failed to show evidence that EPCs contribute significantly to transplant arteriosclerosis (Hillebrands et al., 2003).”

In accordance with this account is the latest review of EPC as therapeutic vectors in CV disorders covering experimental models and human trials (Ben-Shoshan and George, 2006).

The conceptual formulation for several strategies to increase cEPCs number endogenously presented in this investigation is complementary to methods currently applied or are still in clinical trials, as reviewed by Dzau et al. (2005). However, our approach, ElectEagle, involves endogenous augmentation of cEPCs by development of a concept-based protocol for therapeutic treatment using three components:

  •                Inhibition of ET1, ETB
  •                Induction of NO production and stimulation of eNOS
  •                Treatment Regimen with PPAR-gamma agonists (TZD) 

REFERENCES

Aicher A, Heeschen C, Mildner-Rihm C, Urbich C, Ihling C, Technau- Ihling K, Zeiher AM, Dimmeler S, (2003). Essential role of endothelial nitric oxide synthase for mobilization of stem cell and progenitor cells. Nat Med., 9:1370-1376.

Anderson T. (1999). Assessment of treatment of endothelial dysfunction. J Am Coll of Cardiology, 34: 631- 8.

Andrew C. Li, Binder, CJ, Gutierrez, A, Brown, KK, Plotkin, CR, Pattison, JW, Valledor, AF, Davis, RA, Willson, TM, Witztum, JL, Palinski, W, Glass, CK. (2004). Differential inhibition of macrophage foam-cell formation and atherosclerosis in mice by PPAR-alpha, Beta/delta, and gammaJ. Clin. Invest. 114:1564-1576

Aoki, J., Serruys, P.W., van Beusekom, H., Ong, A.T., McFadden, E.P., Sianos, G., et al. (2005). Endothelial progenitor cell capture by stents coated with antibody against CD34: the HEALING-FIM (Healthy Endothelial Accelerated Lining Inhibits Neointimal Growth-First In Man) Registry. J Am Coll Cardiol 45 (10), 1574–1579.

Asahara T, Murohara T, Sullivan A, Silver M, van der Zee R, Li T, Witzenbichler B, Schatterman G, and Isner JM (1997). Isolation of putative progenitor endothelial cells for angiogenesis. Science 275: 964–967.

Asahara T, Murohara T, Sullivan A, Silver M, van der Zee R, Li T, Witzenbichler B, Schatteman G, Isner JM, (1997). Isolation of putatitve progenitor endothelial cells for angiogenesis. Science, 275:964 –967.

Asahara T, Masuda H, Takahashi T, Kalka C, Pastore C, Silver M, Kearne M, Magner M, Isner JM. (1999). Bone marrow origin of endothelial progenitor cells responsible for postnatal vasculogenesis in physiological and pathological neovascularization. Circ Res. 85:221–228.

Askari AT, Unzek S, Popovic ZB, Goldman CK, Forudi F, Kiedrowski M, Rovner A, Ellis SG, Thomas JD, DiCorleto PE, Topol EJ, Penn MS.(2003). Effect of stromal cell-derived factor 1 on stem cell homing and tissue regeneration in ischemic cardiomyopathy. Lancet, 362:697–703.

Assmus B, Schachlinger V, Teupe C, Britten M, Lehmann R, Dobert N, Grunwald F, Aicher A, Urbich C, Martin H, Hoelzer D, Dimmeler S, Zeiher AM, (2002). Transplantation of progenitor cells and regeneration enhancement in acute myocardial infarction (TOPCARE-AMI). Circulation, 106:3009 –3017

Bennett MR, O’Sullivan MO (2001). Mechanisms of angioplasty and stent restenosis: implications for design of rational therapy. Pharmacol Ther., 91:149 –166.

Ben-Shoshan, J and George, J. (2006). Endothelial progenitor cells as therapeutic vectors in cardiovascular disorders: from experimental models to human trials  Pharmacology Therapeutics (impact factor: 8.9). 08/2007; 115(1):25-36.

Bhattacharya V, Shi Q, Ishida A, Sauvage LR, Hammond WP, Wu MH.(2000). Administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor enhances endothelialization and microvessel formation in small caliber synthetic vascular grafts. J Vasc Surg., 32:116 –123.

Bonetti PO, et al. (2002). Reactive hyperemia peripheral arterial tonometry, a novel non-invasive index of peripheral vascular function, is attenuated in patients with coronary endothelial dysfunction. Circulation, 106:Suppl II:579.

Bonetti PO, et al. (2003). Enhanced external counterpulsation improves endothelial function in patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease. J Am Coll of Cardiology, 41:1761-8.

Britten MB, Abolmaali ND, Assmus B, Lehman R, Honold J, Schmitt J, Vogl TJ, Martin H, Schachinger V, Dimmeler S, Zeiher AM, (2003). Infarct remodeling after intracoronary progenitor cell treatment in patients with acute myocardial infarction (TOPCARE-AMI): mechanistic insights from serial contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. Circulation, 108:2212–2218.

Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation in Type 2 Diabetics (BARI 2D)ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00006305, 2000-2007

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00006305   retrieved on 6/20/2006

Caplice NM, Bunch TJ, Stalboerger PG, Wang S, Simper D, Miller DV, Russell SJ, Litzow MR, Edwards WD. (2003). Smooth muscle cells in human coronary atherosclerosis can originate from cells administered at marrow transplantation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 100: 4754–4759.

Chadwick , D.(2006) OrbusNeich’s Genous Bioengineered R-stent . Cath Lab Digest, 14 (1), 20-26

Cho H-J, Kim H-S, Lee M-M, Kim D-H, Yang H-J, Hur J, Hwang K-K, Oh S, Choi Y-J, Chae I-H, Oh, B-H, Choi Y-S, Walsh K, Park Y-B. (2003).  Mobilized endothelial progenitor cells by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor accelerate reendothelialization and reduce vascular inflammation after intravascular radiation.Circulation, 108:2918 –2925.

Choi J-H, Kim KL, Huh W, Kim B, Byun J, Suh W, Sung J, Jeon E-S, Oh H-Y, Kim D-K, (2004). Decreased number and impaired angiogenic function of endothelial progenitors in patients with chronic renal failure. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol.,24:1246 –1252.

Cinamon G, Shinder V, Alon R (2001) Shear forces promote lymphocyte migration across vascular endothelium bearing apical chemokines. Nature Immunology, 2:515

Dimmeler S, Aicher A, Vasa M, Mildner-Rihm C, Adler K, Tiemann M, Rutten H, Fichtlscherer S, Martin H, Zeiher AM, (2001). HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) increase endothelial progenitor cells via the PI3-kinase/Akt pathway. J Clin Invest., 108:391–397.

Dimmeler S and Zeiher AM, (2004). Vascular repair by circulating endothelial progenitor cells: the missing link in atherosclerosis. J Mol Med. 82:671– 677.

Drexler H and Hornig B, (1999). Endothelial dysfunction in human disease. J Mol Cell Cardiol., 31:51– 60.

Dzau VJ, Braun-Dullaeus RC, Sedding DG. (2002). Vascular proliferation and atherosclerosis: new perspectives and therapeutic strategies. Nat Med.,  8:1249 –1256.

Dzau, VJ, Gnecchi, M, Pachori, AS, Morello F, Melo, LG.(2005).Therapeutic Potential of Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Cardiovascular Diseases.Hypertension,246:7-18.

Edelberg JM, Tang L, Hattori K, Lyden D, Rafii. (2002). Young adult bone marrow-derived endothelial precursor cells restore aging-impaired cardiac angiogenic function.Circ Res., 90:e89–e93.

Endemann DH and Schiffrin EL, (2004). Endothelial dysfunction. J Am Soc Nephrol., 15:1983–1992.

Fadini, G, Avogaro A, Agostini C. (2004), Unambiguous Definition of Endothelial Progenitor Cells. Electronic Letter to the Editor of Heart in reference to article by Eizawa, T, Ikeda U, et al. Decreasing in circulating endothelial progenitor cells in patients with stable CAD, Heart, 2004; 90: 685-686,

http://heart.bmjjournals.com/cgi/eletters/90/6/685#310  retrieved on 6/26/2006

Fernandez-Aviles F, San Roman JA, Garcıa-Frade J, Fernandez ME, Penarrubia MJ, de la Fuente Luis, Gomez-Bueno M, Cantalapiedra A, Fernandez J, Gutierrez O, Sanchez PL, Hernandez C, Sanz R, Garcıa- Sancho J, Sa´nchez A, (2004). Experimental and clinical regenerative capability of human bone marrow cells after myocardial infarction. Circ Res., 95:742–748.

Folsom, A.R. Chambless, L.E. Ballantyne, C.M. Coresh, J. Heiss, G. Wu, K.K. Boerwinkle, E. Mosley, T.H. Sorlie, P. Diao, G. Sharrett, A.R. (2006). An Assessment of Incremental Coronary Risk Prediction Using C-Reactive Protein and Other Novel Risk Markers – The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. Arch Intern. Med. 166, 1368-1373.

Fuujiyama S, Amano K, Uehira K, Yoshida N, Nishiwaki Y, Nozawa Y,  Jin D, Takai S, Miyazaki M, Egashira K, Imada T, Iwasaka T, Matsubara H, (2003). Bone marrow monocyte lineage cells adhere on injured endothelium in a monocyte chemoattractant protein-1-dependent manner and accelerate reendothelialization as endothelial progenitor cells. Circ Res., 93:980-989.

George F, Brisson C, Poncelet P, Laurent JC, Massot O, Arnoux D, Ambrosi P, Klein-Soyer C, Cazenave JP, and Sampol J (1992). Rapid isolation of human endothelial cells from whole blood using S-Endo 1 monoclonal antibody coupled to immunomagnetic beads: demonstration of endothelial injury after angioplasty.Thromb Haemost, 67:147–153.

George J, Herz I, Goldstein E, Abashidze S, Deutch V, Finkelstein A, Michowitz Y, Miller H, Keren G.(2003). Number and adhesive properties of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in patients with in-stent restenosis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol., 23:e57– e60.

George J, Goldstein E, Abashidze S, Deutsch V, Shmilovich H, Finkelstein A, Herz I, Miller H, Keren G., (2004). Circulating endothelial progenitor cells in patients with unstable angina: association with systemic inflammation. Eur Heart J., 25:1003–1008.

George, J., Goldstein, E., Abashidze, S., Wexler, D., Hamed, S., Shmilovich, H., et al. (2005). Erythropoietin promotes endothelial progenitor cell proliferative and adhesive properties in a PI 3-kinase-dependent manner. Cardiovasc Res 68(2), 299-306.

George J, Shmilovich H, Deutsch V, Miller H, Keren G, Roth A. (2006). Comparative Analysis of Methods for Assessment of Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells, Tissue Engineering 12 (2) 331-335

Gerhard-Herman M, et al. (2002). Assessment of endothelial function (nitric oxide) at the tip of a finger. Circulation, 106:Suppl II:170.

Gill M, Dias S, Hattori K, Rivera ML, Hicklin D, Witte L, Girardi L, Yurt R, Himel H, Rafii S, (2001). Vascular trauma induces rapid but transient mobilization of VEGFR2/AC133 endothelial precursor cells. Circ Res., 88:167–174.

Goon, P.K.Y. Lip G.Y.H, Boos, CJ, Stonelake, PS, Blann, AD. (2006). Circulating Endothelial Cells, Endothelial Progenitor Cells, and Endothelial Microparticles in Cancer, Neoplasia, 8:79-88.

Griese DP, Ehsan A, Melo LG, Kong D, Zhang L, Mann MJ, Pratt RE, Mulligan RC, Dzau VJ, (2003). Isolation and transplantation of autologous circulating endothelial cells into denuded vessels and prosthetic grafts: implications for cell-based vascular therapy. Circulation, 108: 2710–2715.

Heeschen C, Aicher A, Lehmann R, Fichtlscherer S, Vasa M, Urbich C, Mildner-Rihm C, Martin H, Zeiher AM, Dimmeler, (2003). Erythropoietin is a potent physiological stimulus for endothelial progenitor cell mobilization. Blood, 102:1340 –1346.

Heeschen C, Lehman R, Honold J, Assmus B, Aicher A, Walter DH, Martin H, Zeiher AM, Dimmeler S. (2004). Profoundly reduced neovascularization capacity of bone marrow mononuclear cells derived from patients with chronic ischemic heart disease.Circulation, 109:1615–1622.

Heissig B, Hattori K, Dias S, Friedrich M, Ferris B, Hackett NR, Crystal RG, Besmer P, Lyden D, Moore MA, Werb Z, Rafii S., (2002). Recruitment of stem and progenitor cells from the bone marrow niche requires MMP-9 mediated release of kit-ligand. Cell;109: 625-637.

Hiasa K, Ishibashi M, Ohtani K, Inoue S, Zhao Q, Kitamoto S, Sata M, Ichiki T, Takeshita A, Egashira K. Gene transfer of stromal cell-derived factor 1 enhances ischemic vasculogenesis and angiogenesis via vascular endothelial growth factor/endothelial nitric oxide synthaserelated pathway: next generation chemokine therapy for therapeutic neovascularization. Circulation, 109:2454 –2461.

Hill JM, Zalos G, Halcox JPG, Schenke WH, Waclawin MA, Quyyumi A, Finkel T. (2003). Circulating endothelial progenitor cells, vascular function and cardiovascular risk. N Engl J Med., 348:593– 600.

Hillebrands J-L, Klatter FA, van DijK WD, Rozing J. (2003). Bone marrow does not contribute substantially to endothelial-cell replacement in transplant arteriosclerosis.Nat Med., 8:194 –195.

Hu Y, Davison F, Zhan Z, Xu Q. (2003). Endothelial replacement and angiogenesis in arteriosclerotic lesions of allografts are contributed by circulating progenitor cells.Circulation, 108:3122–3127.

Hur, J., Yoon, C.H., Kim, H.S., Choi, J.H., Kang, H.J., Hwang, K.K., et al. (2004). Characterization of two types of endothelial progenitor cells and their different contributions to neovasculogenesis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 24(2), 288–293.

Imanishi, T., Hano, T. & Nishio, I. (2005) Estrogen reduces endothelial progenitor cell senescence through augmentation of telomerase activity. J Hypertens 23(9):1699-1706.

Iwaguro H, Yamaguchi J, Kalka C, Murasawa S, Masuda H, Hayashi S, Silver M, Li T, Isner JM, Asahara T, (2002). Endothelial progenitor cell vascular endothelial growth factor gene transfer for vascular regeneration. Circulation, 105:732–738.

Kalka C, Tehrani H, Laudernberg B, Vale P, Isner JM, Asahara T, Symes JF, (2000a). Mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells following gene therapy with VEGF165 in patients with inoperable coronary disease. Ann Thorac Surg., 70:829–834.

Kalka C, Masuda H, Takahashi T, Gordon R, Tepper O, Gravereaux E, Pieczek A, Iwaguro H, Hayashi S-I, Isner JM, Asahara T (2000b). Vascular endothelial growth factor165 gene transfer augments circulating endothelial progenitor cells in human subjects. Circ Res., 86:1198 –1202.

Kalka C, Masuda H, Takahashi T, Kalka-Moll WM, Silver M, Kearney M, Li T, Isner JM, Asahara T, (2000c). Transplantation of ex vivo expanded endothelial progenitor cells for therapeutic neovascularization. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 97:3422–3427.

Kang H-J, Kim H-S, Zhang S-Y, Park K-W, Cho H-J, Koo B-K, Kim Y-J, Lee DS, Sohn D-W, Han K-S, Oh B-H, Lee M-M, Park Y-B, (2004). Effects of intracoronary infusion of peripheral blood stem cells mobilized with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor on left ventrricular systolic function and restenosis after coronary stenting in myocardial infarction: the MAGIC cell randomized clinical trial. Lancet, 363:751–756.

Kawamoto A, Gwon H-C, Iwaguro H, Yamaguchi J, Uchida S, Masuda H, Silver M, Ma H, Kearney M, Isner JM, Asahara T, (2001). Therapeutic potential of ex vivo expanded endothelial progenitor cells for myocardial ischemia. Circulation, 103:634–637.

Khan SS, Solomon MA, and McCoy JP Jr, (2005). Detection of circulating-  endothelial cells and endothelial progenitor cells by flow cytometry. Cytometry B Clin Cytom64:1–8.

Kiernan, T.(2006). Endothelial progenitor cells in 2006 – Where are we now? http://www.irishheart.ie/iopen24/catalog/pub/Heartwise/2006/Spring/endothelial.pdfretrieved 6/22/2006.

Kim, DH, Leu, HB, Ott, HC & Taylor, DO, Bertolini, F, Mancuso, P & Kerbel, RS, Boos, CJ, Goon, PKY, Lip, GYH, (2005). Multiple comments – Correspondence to the Editor on Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells. NEJM, 353:24, 2613-2616

Kleinman, ME, Blei, F, Gurtner, GC, (2005). Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Vascular Anomalies, Lymphatic Research and Biology, 3;4: 234-239.

Kocher AA, Schuster MD, Szabolcs MJ, Burkhoff D, Wang J, Homma S, Edwards NM, Itescu S. (2001). Neovascularization of ischemic myocardium by human bone-marrow-derived angioblasts prevents cardiomyocyte apoptosis, reduces remodeling and improves cardiac function. Nat Med., 7:430–436.

Kong D, Melo LG, Gnecchi M, Zhang L, Mostoslavski G, Liew CC, Pratt RE, Dzau VJ. (2004a). Cytokine-induced mobilization of circulating endothelial progenitor cells enhances repair of injured arteries. Circulation, 110:2039 –2046.

Kong D, Melo LG, Mangi AA, Zhang L, Lopez-Ilasaca M, Perrella MA, Liew CC, Pratt RE, Dzau VJ, (2004b). Enhanced inhibition of neointimal hyperplasia by genetically engineered endothelial progenitor cells. Circulation, 109:1769 –1775.

Kuvin JT, et al. (2003a). Assessment of peripheral vascular endothelial function with finger arterial pulse wave amplitude. Am Heart J, 146:168-74.

Kuvin JT, et al. (2003b). Peripheral arterial tonometry during hyperemia is blunted in patients with coronary artery disease. J Am Coll of Cardiology, 41:Suppl:269A.

Lapidot T, and Petit, I (2002) Current understanding of stem cell mobilization: The roles of chemokines, proteolytic enzymes, adhesion molecules, cytokines, and stromal cells. Experimental Hematology, 30:973–98

Laufs U, Werner N, Link A, Endres M, Wassmann S, Jurgens K, Miche E, Bohm M, Nickenig G, (2003). Physical training increases endothelial progenitor cells, inhibits neointima formation, and enhances angiogenesis. Circulation, 109:220 –226.

Laufs U, Werner N, Link A, Endres M, Wassmann S, Jurgens K, Miche E, Bohm M, and Nickenig G (2004). Physical training increases endothelial progenitor cells, inhibits neointima formation, and enhances angiogenesis. Circulation 109: 220–226.

Llevadot J, Murasawa S, Kureishi Y, Uchida S, Masuda H, Kawamoto A, Walsh K, Isner JM, Asahara T, (2001). HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor mobilizes bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells. J Clin Invest., 108:399–405.

Lloyd-Jones, D. and Tian, L. (2006). Predicting Cardiovascular Risk, So What Do We Do Now?. Arch Intern. Med, 166, 1342-1343.

Loomans CJM, de Koening EJP, Staal FJT, Rookmaaker MB, Verseyden C, de Boer HC, Verhaar MC, Braam B, Rebelink TJ, van Zonneveld A-J. (2004). Endothelial progenitor cell dysfunction. A novel concept in the pathogenesis of vascular complications of type I diabetes. Diabetes, 53:195–199.

Losordo DW, Isner JM, Diaz-Sandoval LJ, (2003). Endothelial Recovery. The next target in restenosis prevention. Circulation, 107:2635–2637.

Lusis, A.J. (2000). Atherosclerosis. Nature 407(6801), 233–241.

Massa M, Rosti V, Ferrario M, Campanelli R, Ramajoli, Rosso R, De Ferrari GM, Ferlini M, Goffredo L, Bertoletti A, Klersy C, Pecci A, Moratti R, Tavazzi, (2005). Increased circulating hematopoietic and endothelial progenitor cells in the early phase of acute myocardial infarction. Blood,105:199 –206.

Orlic D, Kajstura J, Chimenti S, Limana F, Jakoniuk I, Quaini F, Nadal-Ginard B, Bodine DM, Leri A, Anversa P. (2001). Mobilized bone marrow cells repair the infarcted heart, improving function and survival. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 98:10344 –10349.

Peichev M, Naiyer AJ, Pereira D, Zhu Z, Lane WJ, Williams M, Oz MC, Hicklin DJ, Witte L, Moore MA, and Rafii S (2000). Expression of VEGFR-2 and AC133 by circulating human CD34+ cells identifies a population of functional endothelial precursors. Blood95: 952–958.

Perin EC, Dohmann HFR, Borojevic R, Silva SA, Sousa AL, Mesquita CT, Rossi MI, Carvalho AC, Dutra HS, Dohmann HJ, Silva GV, Belem L, Vivacqua R, Rangel FO, Esporcatte R, Geng YJ, Vaughn WK, Assad JA, Mesquita ET, Willerson JT, (2003). Transendocardial, autologous bone marrow cell transplantation for severe, chronic ischemic heart failure. Circulation, 107:2294 –2302.

Powell TM, Paul JD, Hill JM, Thompson M, Benjamin M, Rodrigo M, McCoy JP, Read EJ, Khuu HM, (2005). Leitman SF, Finkel T, Cannon RO III. Granulocyte colony stimulating factor mobilizes functional endothelial progenitor cells in patients with coronary artery disease. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol., 25:1– 6.

Rafii S, Lyden D (2003). Therapeutic stem and progenitor cell transplantation for organ vascularisation and regeneration. Nat Med 9: 702–712.

Rauscher FM, Goldschmidt-Clermont PJ, Davis BH, Wang T, Gregg D, Ramaswami P, Pippen AM, Annex BH, Dong C, Taylor DA, (2003). Aging, progenitor cell exhaustion, and atherosclerosis. Circulation, 108:457–463.

Ross R. (1999). Atherosclerosis – An inflammatory disease. N Engl J Med., 340:115–126.

Rubanyi GM. (1993). The role of endothelium in cardiovascular homeostasis and diseases. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol., 22(Suppl):S1–S4.

Sata M, Saiura A, Kunisato A, Tojo A, Okada S, Tokuhisa T, Hirai H, Makuuchi M, Hirata Y, Nagai R. (2002). Hematopoietic stem cells differentiate into vascular cells that participate in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Nat Med., 8:403– 409.

Schachinger V, Assmus B, Britten MB, Honold J, Lehman R, Teupe C, Abolmaali ND, Vogt TJ, Hofmann WK, Martin H, Dimmeler S, Zeiher AM, (2004). Transplantation of progenitor cells and regeneration enhancement in acute myocardial infarction: final one-year results of the TOPCARE-AMI trial. J Am Coll Cardiol., 44:1690 –1699.

Schatteman GC, Hanlon HD, Jiao C, Dodds SG, Christy BA. (2000). Blood derived angioblasts accelerate blood flow restoration in diabetic mice. J Clin Invest., 106:571–578.

Scheubel RJ, Zorn H, Rolf-Edgar S, Kuss O, Morawietz, Holtz J, Simm A. (2003). Age-dependent depression in circulating endothelial progenitor cells in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. J Am Col Cardiol., 42:2073–2080.

Segal, M.S., Shah, R., Afzal, A., Perrault, C.M., Chang, K., Schuler, A., et al. (2006). Nitric oxide cytoskeletal-induced alterations reverse the endothelial progenitor cell migratory defect associated with diabetes. Diabetes 55(1), 102-109

Shi Q, Raffi, Wu MH, Wijelath ES, Yu C, Ishida A, Fujita Y, Kothari S, Mohle R, Sauvage LR, Moore MAS, Storb RF, Hammond WP. (1998). Evidence of circulating bone-marrow derived endothelial cells. Blood, 92:362–367.

Shi Q, Bhattacharya V, Hong-De Wu M, Sauvage LR. (2002). Utilizing granulocyte colony-stimulating factor to enhance vascular graft endothelialization from circulating blood cells. Ann Vasc Surg., 16:314 –320.

Shintani S, Murohara T, Ikeda H, Ueni T, Honma T, Katoh A, Sasaki K, Shimada T, Oike Y, Imaizumi T, (2001). Mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Circulation, 103:2776 –2779.

Shirota, T., Yasui, H., Shimokawa, H. & Matsuda, T. (2003). Fabrication of endothelial progenitor cell (EPC)-seeded intravascular stent devices and in vitro endothelialization on hybrid vascular tissue. Biomaterials 24(13), 2295–2302.

Simper D, Wang S, Deb A, Holmes D, McGregor C, Frantz R, Kushawa SS, Caplice NM, (2003). Endothelial progenitor cells are decreased in blood of cardiac allograft patients with vasculopathy and endothelial cells of non cardiac origin are enriched in transplant atherosclerosis. Circulation, 107:143–149.

Spyridopoulos I, Haendeler J, Urbich C, Brummendorf TH, Oh H, Schneider MD, Zeiher AM, Dimmeler S, (2004). Statins enhance migratory capacity by upregulation of the telomere repeat-binding factor TRF2 in endothelial progenitor cells. Circulation, 110:3136 –3142.

Stamm C, Westphal B, Kleine H-D, Petzsch M, Kittner C, Klinge H, Schumichen C, Nienaber CA, Freund M, Steinhoff G, (2003). Autologous bonemarrow transplantation for myocardial regeneration. Lancet, 361:45–46.

Strauer BE, Brehm M, Zeus T, Kostering M, Hernandez A, Sorg RV, Kogler G, Wernet P, (2002). Repair of infarcted myocardium by autologous intracoronary mononuclear bone marrow cell transplantation in humans. Circulation, 106:1913–1918.

Strehlow K, Werner N, Berweiler J, Link A, Dirnagl U, Priller J, Laufs K, Ghaeni L, Milosevic M, Bohm M, Nickenig G, (2003). Estrogen increases bone-marrow derived endothelial progenitor cell production and diminishes neointima formation.Circulation, 107:3059 –3065.

Takahashi T, Kalka C, Masuda H, Chen D, Silver M, Kearney M, Magner M, Isner JM, Asahara T, (1999). Ischemia- and cytokine-induced mobilization of bone-marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells for neovascularization. Nat Med., 5:434–438.

Tepper OM, Galiano RD, Capla JM, Kalka C, Gagne PJ, Jacobwotiz GR, Levine JP, Gurtner GC. (2002). Human endothelial progenitor cells from type II diabetes exhibit impaired proliferation, adhesion, and incorporation into vascular structures.Circulation, 106:2781–2786.

Tse HF, Kwong YL, Chan JK, Lo G, Ho CL, and Lau CP (2003). Angiogenesis in ischaemic myocardium by intramyocardial autologous bone genesis marrow mononuclear cell implantation. Lancet 361: 47–49.

Tung, R, Kaul, S, Diamond, GA, Shah, PK (2006). Drug-Eluting Stents for the Management of Restenosis: A Critical Appraisal of the Evidence. Annals of Internal Medicine, 144;12: 913-919.

Valenzuela-Fernandez A, Planchenault T, Baleux F, et al. (2002) Leukocyte elastase negatively regulates stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF)/CXCR4 binding and functions by amino-terminal processing of SDF-1 and CXCR4.  J Biol Chem 277:156

Valgimigli M, Rigolin GM, Fucili A, Della Porta M, Soukhomovskaia O, Malagutti P, Bugli AM, Bragottu LZ, Francolini G, Mauro E, Castoldi G, Ferrari R, (2004). CD34 and endothelial progenitor cells in patients with various degrees of congestive heart failure. Circulation, 110:1209–1212.

Vasa M, Fichtlscherer S, Adler K, Aicher A, Martin H, Zeiher AM, Dimmeler S. (2001a). Increase in circulating endothelial progenitor cells by statin therapy in patients with stable coronary artery disease. Circulation, 103:2885–2890.

Vasa M, Fichtlscherer S, Aicher A, Adler K, Urbich C, Martin H, Zeiher AM, Dimmeler S. (2001b). Number and migratory activity of circulating endothelial progenitor cells inversely correlates with risk factors for coronary artery disease. Circ Res., 89:e1– e7.

Vasan, RS, (2006). Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Disease: Molecular Basis and Practical Considerations, Circulation, 113:2335-2362.

Verma S, Kukiszewski MA, Li S-H, Szmitko PE, Zucco L, Wang C-H, Badiwala MV, Mickle DAG, Weisel RD, Fedak PWM, Stewart DJ, Kutrik MJB, (2004). C-reactive protein attenuates endothelial progenitor cell survival, differentiation, and function.Circulation, 109:r91–r100.

Verma, S. and Marsden, P.A. (2005). Nitric Oxide-Eluting Polyurethanes – Vascular Grafts of the Future? New England Journal Medicine, 353 (7), 730-731.

Verma S, Szmitko, PE, (2006). The vascular biology of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors: Modulation of atherosclerosis. Can J Cardiol, 22 (Suppl B):12B-17B.

Walter DH, Rittig K, Bahlmann FH, Kirchmair R, Silver M, Murayama T, Nishimura H, Losordo DW, Asahara T, Isner JM, (2002). Statin therapy accelerates reendothelialization: a novel effect involving mobilization and incorporation of bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells. Circulation, 105:3017–3024.

Werner N, Junk S, Laufs L, Link A, Walenta K, Bohm M, Nickenig G., (2003).  Intravenous transfusion of endothelial progenitor cells reduces neointima formation after vascular injury. Circ Res., 93:e17– e24.

Werner N, Kosiol S, Schiegl T, Ahlers P, Walenta K, Link A, Böhm M, Nickenig G. (2005a). Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Cardiovascular Outcomes,NEJM, 353: 999-1007

Werner, N & Nickenig, G. (2005b). Authors Reply to Correspondence to the Editor on Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells. NEJM, 353:24, 2613-2616

Widlansky ME, et al. (2003). The clinical implications of endothelial dysfunction. J Am Coll of Cardiology, 42:1149-60.

Wollert KC, Meyer GP, Latz J, Ringes-Lichtenberg S, Lippolt P, Breindenbach C, Fichtner S, Korte T, Hornig B, Messinger D, Arseniev L, Hartenstein B, Ganser A, Drexler H (2004). Intracoronary autologous bonemarrow cell transfer after myocardial infarction: the BOOST randomised controlled clinical trial. Lancet, 364:141–148.

Yamaguchi J, Kusano KF, Masuo O, Kawamoto A, Silver M, Murasawa S, Bosch-Marce M, Masuda H, Losordo DW, Isner JM, Asahara T. (2003).  Stromal cell-derived factor-1 effects on ex vivo expanded endothelial progenitor cell recruitment for ischemic neovascularization. Circulation, 107:1322–1328.

Yoon YS, Park JS, Tkebuchava T, Luedeman C, Losordo DW. (2004). Unexpected severe calcification after transplantation of bone marrow cells in acute myocardial infarction. Circulation, 109:3154 –3157.

Read Full Post »

Endothelial Dysfunction, Diminished Availability of cEPCs,  Increasing  CVD Risk — Macrovascular Disease – Therapeutic Potential of cEPCs

Author and Investigator Initiated Study: Aviva Lev-Ari, PhD, RN

In normal conditions, the vascular endothelium produces and secretes substances that modulate vascular tone and protect the vessel wall from inflammatory cell infiltration, thrombus formation, and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation (Rubanyi, 1993). Pathologic conditions such as hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertension impair the ability of the vascular endothelium to produce vasodilatory and anti-adhesion moieties and increase the production of vasoconstrictor, proadhesion, and pro-thrombotic molecules, leading to elevated vascular tone, enhanced cell adhesion, proliferation of media smooth muscle cells, and propensity toward thrombosis (Drexler & Hornig, 1999),(Endemann & Schiffrin, 2004). Endothelial cell loss and turnover are accelerated in the presence of hemodynamic and biochemical alterations and are a prominent feature of vascular injury resulting from percutaneous coronary intervention (Bennett & O’Sullivan, 2001).

The loss of endothelial function and integrity sets in motion the cascade of events that lead to atherosclerosis and restenosis after percutaneous revascularization (Ross, 1999),(Dzau et al., 2002). Processes of mobilization, growth, differentiation, recruitment, homing, replication and migration characterize cEPCs from the initial cell division of stem cells to cell apoptosis. What are the factors influencing cEPC mobilization, growth, differentiation, recruitment, mobilization, homing, replication and migration?

Physiological Factors

Chemokines

SCF-1, G-CSF, GM-CSF

Effect on cEPCs: recruitment, mobilization (Takahashi et al., 1999), (Kong et al., 2004a), (Kocher et al. 2001), (Shi et al., 1998), (Cho et al., 2003),(Orlic et al., 2001),(Bhattacharya et al., 2000), (Shi et al, 2002)

SDF-1

Effect on cEPCs: recruitment, mobilization, homing (Yamaguchi et al., 2003),(Powell et al., 2005),(Askari et al., 2003), (Hiasa et al., 2004),(George et al., 2003),(George et al., 2004),(Massa et al., 2005)

Cytokines / Growth Factors

FGF, VEGF, PIGF

Effect on cEPCs: mobilization, differentiation (Kalka et al., 2000a),(Ashara et al., 1997),(Kalka et al., 2000b)

                                  Angiopoietin, PDGF

Effect on cEPCs: differentiation

Hormones

Erythropoietin

Effect on cEPCs: mobilization, replication (Heeschen et al., 2003), (George, et. al., 2005).

Estrogen

Effect on cEPCs: mobilization (Strehlow et al., 2003), (Imanishi et al., 2005)

Signaling molecules

NO, Akt

Effect on cEPCs: mobilization, differentiation(Aicher et al., 2003).

 

Pharmacological Factors

3-HMC-CoA Inhibitors (statins)

Effect on cEPCs: mobilization, migration, homing (Werner et al., 2003),(Vasa et al., 2001a),(Walter et al., 2002),(Dimmeler et al., 2001),

(Llevadot et al., 2001),(Spyridopoulos et al., 2004)

             PPAR-gamma Agonists

Effect on cEPCs: mobilization, differentiation (Verma & Szmitko, 2006), (Andrew et al., 2004)

Physical Factors

 

            Exercise, hypoxia

Effect on cEPCs: mobilization (Laufs et al., 2003),(Kleinman et al., 2005),(Goon et al., 2006)

Pathological Factors

Coronary artery disease (CAD)

Effect on cEPCs: mobilization, homing (Kalka et al., 2000a),(Vasa et al., 2001b),(Heeschen et al., 2004)

Acute MI

Effect on cEPCs: mobilization, homing (Shintani et al., 2001),(Valgimigli et al., 2004),(Massa et al., 2005)

Peripheral limb ischemia

Effect on cEPCs: mobilization, homing (Takahashi et al., 1999),(Iwaguro et al., 2002),(Asahara et al., 1997),(Kalka et al., 2000b)

Vascular injury and inflammation

Effect on cEPCs: mobilization, homing (Ross, 1999),( Losordo et al., 2003), (Dimmeler & Zeiher, 2004),(Werner et al., 2003),(Verna et al, 2004).

EPC transplantation has been shown to induce new vessel formation in ischemic myocardium and hind limb (Kalka et al., 2000c),(Kawamoto et al, 2001),(Kocher, 2001) and to accelerate re-endothelialization of injured vessels and prosthetic vascular grafts in humans and in various animal models (Kocher, 2001),(Griese et al., 2003) demonstrating their therapeutic potential as a cell-based strategy for rescue and repair of ischemic tissues and injured blood vessels. Furthermore, EPCs are amenable to genetic manipulation, underscoring their usefulness as vectors for local delivery of therapeutic genes (Griese et al., 2003),(Kong et al., 2004b), (Iwaguro, 2002)

   Clinical Frontiers and Therapeutic Applications of cEPCs

  • Angiogenesis
  • Neovascularization of Artherosclerotic Plaque
  • Risk Factors impairing Collateral Development
  • Inhibitory Effects of Hypercholesterolemia
  • Bone Marrow Cells: Supporting cells in vascular growth processes
  • Inverse Relations: cEPCs and Risk of Macrovascular Events
  • New Stenting Technology:

 

  1.    Stents eluting Nitric Oxide (Verma and Marsden, 2005)
  2.    Stents coated with antiboby specific (anti-CD34) to the EPCs antigen cell     (Chadwick, 2006),(Aoki et al., 2005)
  3.    EPC-covered intravascular stents deployed for prevention of stent  thrombosis and restenosis as well as for rapid  formation of normal tissue architecture (Shirota et al., 2003).

 

  1. Table 1:            Alterations in number and function of cEPCs Disease Characterization and Suitability for ElectEagle an Endogenous Augmentation Method for cEPCs number (not for cEPCs function)

Disease Type

(Dzau et al., 2005)

Number

of

 cEPCs

Function

of

cEPCs

References

Disease Suitability for Endogenous Augmentation of cEPCs
Myocardial
     CAD

down

 down

(Kalka et al., 2000a),(Shintani et al., 2001),(Vasa et al., 2000b),(Hill et al., 2003),(Heeschen et al., 2004)

yes

     CHF

down

down

(Valgimigli et al.,2004),(Massa et al., 2005)

yes

     Unstable angina

down

unknown

(George et al., 2004)

yes

     MI

up

down

(Massa et al., 2005)

No

Vascular
     Atherosclerosis

down

down

(Vasa et al., 2001b),(Heeschen, 2004)(Lusis, 2000)

yes

     Acute Vascular injury and inflammation

up

unknown

(Fuujiyama et al.,2003)(Werner et al., 2003),(Walter et al., 2002),(Strehlow et al., 2003),(Shi et al., 1998),(Gill et al., 2001),

(Chu et al., 2003)

No

     PeripheralLimb ischemia

up

unknown

(Takahashi et al.,1999),(Iwaguro et al., 2002),(Asahara et al., 1997),(Asahara et al., 1999),(Kalka et al., 2000b)(Segal at al., 2006)

No

     Transplantarteriopathy

down

unknown

(Simper at al., 2003)

Yes

     In-stentrestenosis

down

unknown

(George et al., 2003)

yes

     Hypertension

unknown

unknown

No

     Hyperlipidemia

down

down

(Rauscher et al., 2003)

yes

Diabetes

down

down

(Loomans et al.,2004),(Tepper et al., 2002)

yes

Renal Failure
     Hemodialysis

down

down

(Choi et al., 2004)

yes

Source: original table created by Lev-Ari, A.

Based on Table 1, above, Lev-Ari, A. concluded that four Cardiovascualr diseases are NOT candidates for cEPCs therapeutic treatment

List of Disease unsuitable for ElectEagle an Endogenous Augmentation Method for  cEPCs includes:

  • Myocardial infarction
  • Acute Vascular injury and inflammation
  • Peripheral Limb ischemia
  • Hypertension

Table 2:           Therapeutic Angiogenesis Effects achieved by Cell-Based Therapy: Donor, Human; Recipient, Autologous;

Diagnosis, Myocardial Infarction

 

Therapeutic

Effect

Measured

Effect

Method of Delivery

Type and

Source of Cells

References

EjectionFruction

Up

(Stamm et al.,2003)

(Assmus et al., 2002),

(Britten et al., 2003),

(Schachinger et al., 2004),

(Wollert et al., 2004)

(Fernandez-Aviles

et al., 2004),

(Kang et al., 2004)

 

Infarct border

(Stamm et al., 2003)

CD133

(Stamm et al., 2003),

 

BM

(Stamm et al., 2003)

(Stamm et al., 2003)

Collateral flow (SPECT)

Up

(Stamm et al., 2003)

Infarct size

Down

(Strauer et al., 2002)

Intracoronary Balloon

Catheter

(Strauer et al., 2002)

BM

(Strauer et al., 2002)

(Strauer et al., 2002)

Wall motion

Up

(Strauer et al., 2002)

Contractility

Up

(Assmus et al., 2002),

(Britten et al., 2003),

(Schachinger et al., 2004),

(Wollert et al., 2004)

Intracoronary Balloon

Catheter

(Assmus et al., 2002),

(Britten et al., 2003),

(Schachinger et al., 2004),

(Wollert et al., 2004)

BM

PB

MNC

(Assmus et al., 2002),

(Britten et al., 2003),

(Schachinger et al., 2004),

(Wollert et al., 2004)

(Assmus et al., 2002),(Britten et al., 2003),(Schachinger et al., 2004),

(Wollert et al., 2004)

Myocardial perfusion

Up

(Assmus et al., 2002),

(Britten et al., 2003),

(Schachinger et al., 2004),

(Wollert et al., 2004)

Remodeling

Down

(Assmus et al., 2002),

(Britten et al., 2003),

(Schachinger et al., 2004),

(Wollert et al., 2004)

LV wall thickness

Up

(Fernandez-Aviles et al., 2004)

Intracoronary w/PCA

(Fernandez-Aviles et al., 2004)

CD34+

CD117+

AC133+

(Fernandez-Aviles et al., 2004)

End-systolic (ESV) volume

Down

(Fernandez-Aviles et al., 2004)

Exercise time

Up

(Kang et al., 2004)

Intracoronary

G-CSF

CD34+

(Kang et al., 2004)

 

Table 3:          

Therapeutic Angiogenesis Effects achieved by Cell-Based Therapy: Donor, Human; Recipient, Autologous;

Diagnosis, Myocardial Ischemia – Unstable Ischemia

 

Therapeutic

Effect

Measured

Effect

Method of Delivery

Type and

Source of Cells

References

Ejection Fruction

Up

(Perin et al., 2003),

(Tse et al., 2003)

Transendocardial with NOGA mapping

MNCs

(Perin et al., 2003),

(Tse et al., 2003)

BM

(Perin et al., 2003),

(Tse et al., 2003)

(Perin et al., 2003),

(Tse et al., 2003)

Anginal episodes

Down

(Perin et al., 2003),

(Tse et al., 2003)

Wall thickening

Up

(Perin et al., 2003),

(Tse et al., 2003)

Wall motion

Up

(Perin et al., 2003),

(Tse et al., 2003)

REFERENCES

Aicher A, Heeschen C, Mildner-Rihm C, Urbich C, Ihling C, Technau- Ihling K, Zeiher AM, Dimmeler S, (2003). Essential role of endothelial nitric oxide synthase for mobilization of stem cell and progenitor cells. Nat Med., 9:1370-1376.

Anderson T. (1999). Assessment of treatment of endothelial dysfunction. J Am Coll of Cardiology, 34: 631- 8.

Andrew C. Li, Binder, CJ, Gutierrez, A, Brown, KK, Plotkin, CR, Pattison, JW, Valledor, AF, Davis, RA, Willson, TM, Witztum, JL, Palinski, W, Glass, CK. (2004). Differential inhibition of macrophage foam-cell formation and atherosclerosis in mice by PPAR-alpha, Beta/delta, and gamma. J. Clin. Invest. 114:1564-1576

http://www.jci.org/articles/view/18730

Aoki, J., Serruys, P.W., van Beusekom, H., Ong, A.T., McFadden, E.P., Sianos, G., et al. (2005). Endothelial progenitor cell capture by stents coated with antibody against CD34: the HEALING-FIM (Healthy Endothelial Accelerated Lining Inhibits Neointimal Growth-First In Man) Registry. J Am Coll Cardiol 45 (10), 1574–1579.

Asahara T, Murohara T, Sullivan A, Silver M, van der Zee R, Li T, Witzenbichler B, Schatterman G, and Isner JM (1997). Isolation of putative progenitor endothelial cells for angiogenesis. Science 275: 964–967.

Asahara T, Masuda H, Takahashi T, Kalka C, Pastore C, Silver M, Kearne M, Magner M, Isner JM. (1999). Bone marrow origin of endothelial progenitor cells responsible for postnatal vasculogenesis in physiological and pathological neovascularization. Circ Res. 85:221–228.

Askari AT, Unzek S, Popovic ZB, Goldman CK, Forudi F, Kiedrowski M, Rovner A, Ellis SG, Thomas JD, DiCorleto PE, Topol EJ, Penn MS.(2003). Effect of stromal cell-derived factor 1 on stem cell homing and tissue regeneration in ischemic cardiomyopathy. Lancet, 362:697–703.

Assmus B, Schachlinger V, Teupe C, Britten M, Lehmann R, Dobert N, Grunwald F, Aicher A, Urbich C, Martin H, Hoelzer D, Dimmeler S, Zeiher AM, (2002). Transplantation of progenitor cells and regeneration enhancement in acute myocardial infarction (TOPCARE-AMI). Circulation, 106:3009 –3017

Bennett MR, O’Sullivan MO (2001). Mechanisms of angioplasty and stent restenosis: implications for design of rational therapy. Pharmacol Ther., 91:149 –166.

Ben-Shoshan, J and George, J. (2006). Endothelial progenitor cells as therapeutic vectors in cardiovascular disorders: from experimental models to human trials  Pharmacology Therapeutics (impact factor: 8.9). 08/2007; 115(1):25-36.

Bhattacharya V, Shi Q, Ishida A, Sauvage LR, Hammond WP, Wu MH.(2000). Administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor enhances endothelialization and microvessel formation in small caliber synthetic vascular grafts. J Vasc Surg., 32:116 –123.

Bonetti PO, et al. (2002). Reactive hyperemia peripheral arterial tonometry, a novel non-invasive index of peripheral vascular function, is attenuated in patients with coronary endothelial dysfunction. Circulation, 106:Suppl II:579.

Bonetti PO, et al. (2003). Enhanced external counterpulsation improves endothelial function in patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease. J Am Coll of Cardiology, 41:1761-8.

Britten MB, Abolmaali ND, Assmus B, Lehman R, Honold J, Schmitt J, Vogl TJ, Martin H, Schachinger V, Dimmeler S, Zeiher AM, (2003). Infarct remodeling after intracoronary progenitor cell treatment in patients with acute myocardial infarction (TOPCARE-AMI): mechanistic insights from serial contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. Circulation, 108:2212–2218.

Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation in Type 2 Diabetics (BARI 2D) ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00006305, 2000-2007

http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa0805796

Caplice NM, Bunch TJ, Stalboerger PG, Wang S, Simper D, Miller DV, Russell SJ, Litzow MR, Edwards WD. (2003). Smooth muscle cells in human coronary atherosclerosis can originate from cells administered at marrow transplantation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 100: 4754–4759.

Chadwick , D.(2006) OrbusNeich’s Genous Bioengineered R-stent . Cath Lab Digest, 14 (1), 20-26

Cho H-J, Kim H-S, Lee M-M, Kim D-H, Yang H-J, Hur J, Hwang K-K, Oh S, Choi Y-J, Chae I-H, Oh, B-H, Choi Y-S, Walsh K, Park Y-B. (2003).  Mobilized endothelial progenitor cells by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor accelerate reendothelialization and reduce vascular inflammation after intravascular radiation. Circulation, 108:2918 –2925.

Choi J-H, Kim KL, Huh W, Kim B, Byun J, Suh W, Sung J, Jeon E-S, Oh H-Y, Kim D-K, (2004). Decreased number and impaired angiogenic function of endothelial progenitors in patients with chronic renal failure. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol.,24:1246 –1252.

Cinamon G, Shinder V, Alon R (2001) Shear forces promote lymphocyte migration across vascular endothelium bearing apical chemokines. Nature Immunology, 2:515

Dimmeler S, Aicher A, Vasa M, Mildner-Rihm C, Adler K, Tiemann M, Rutten H, Fichtlscherer S, Martin H, Zeiher AM, (2001). HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) increase endothelial progenitor cells via the PI3-kinase/Akt pathway. J Clin Invest., 108:391–397.

Dimmeler S and Zeiher AM, (2004). Vascular repair by circulating endothelial progenitor cells: the missing link in atherosclerosis. J Mol Med. 82:671– 677.

Drexler H and Hornig B, (1999). Endothelial dysfunction in human disease. J Mol Cell Cardiol., 31:51– 60.

Dzau VJ, Braun-Dullaeus RC, Sedding DG. (2002). Vascular proliferation and atherosclerosis: new perspectives and therapeutic strategies. Nat Med.,  8:1249 –1256.

Dzau, VJ, Gnecchi, M, Pachori, AS, Morello F, Melo, LG.(2005).Therapeutic Potential of Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Cardiovascular Diseases.Hypertension,246:7-18.

Edelberg JM, Tang L, Hattori K, Lyden D, Rafii. (2002). Young adult bone marrow-derived endothelial precursor cells restore aging-impaired cardiac angiogenic function. Circ Res., 90:e89–e93.

Endemann DH and Schiffrin EL, (2004). Endothelial dysfunction. J Am Soc Nephrol., 15:1983–1992.

Fadini, G, Avogaro A, Agostini C. (2004), Unambiguous Definition of Endothelial Progenitor Cells. Electronic Letter to the Editor of Heart in reference to article by Eizawa, T, Ikeda U, et al. Decreasing in circulating endothelial progenitor cells in patients with stable CAD, Heart, 2004; 90: 685-686,

http://heart.bmjjournals.com/cgi/eletters/90/6/685#310  retrieved on 6/26/2006Link not found 5/1/2013

Fernandez-Aviles F, San Roman JA, Garcıa-Frade J, Fernandez ME, Penarrubia MJ, de la Fuente Luis, Gomez-Bueno M, Cantalapiedra A, Fernandez J, Gutierrez O, Sanchez PL, Hernandez C, Sanz R, Garcıa- Sancho J, Sa´nchez A, (2004). Experimental and clinical regenerative capability of human bone marrow cells after myocardial infarction. Circ Res., 95:742–748.

Folsom, A.R. Chambless, L.E. Ballantyne, C.M. Coresh, J. Heiss, G. Wu, K.K. Boerwinkle, E. Mosley, T.H. Sorlie, P. Diao, G. Sharrett, A.R. (2006). An Assessment of Incremental Coronary Risk Prediction Using C-Reactive Protein and Other Novel Risk Markers – The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. Arch Intern. Med. 166, 1368-1373.

Fuujiyama S, Amano K, Uehira K, Yoshida N, Nishiwaki Y, Nozawa Y,  Jin D, Takai S, Miyazaki M, Egashira K, Imada T, Iwasaka T, Matsubara H, (2003). Bone marrow monocyte lineage cells adhere on injured endothelium in a monocyte chemoattractant protein-1-dependent manner and accelerate reendothelialization as endothelial progenitor cells. Circ Res., 93:980-989.

George F, Brisson C, Poncelet P, Laurent JC, Massot O, Arnoux D, Ambrosi P, Klein-Soyer C, Cazenave JP, and Sampol J (1992). Rapid isolation of human endothelial cells from whole blood using S-Endo 1 monoclonal antibody coupled to immunomagnetic beads: demonstration of endothelial injury after angioplasty.Thromb Haemost, 67:147–153.

George J, Herz I, Goldstein E, Abashidze S, Deutch V, Finkelstein A, Michowitz Y, Miller H, Keren G.(2003). Number and adhesive properties of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in patients with in-stent restenosis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol., 23:e57– e60.

George J, Goldstein E, Abashidze S, Deutsch V, Shmilovich H, Finkelstein A, Herz I, Miller H, Keren G., (2004). Circulating endothelial progenitor cells in patients with unstable angina: association with systemic inflammation. Eur Heart J., 25:1003–1008.

George, J., Goldstein, E., Abashidze, S., Wexler, D., Hamed, S., Shmilovich, H., et al. (2005). Erythropoietin promotes endothelial progenitor cell proliferative and adhesive properties in a PI 3-kinase-dependent manner. Cardiovasc Res 68(2), 299-306.

George J, Shmilovich H, Deutsch V, Miller H, Keren G, Roth A. (2006). Comparative Analysis of Methods for Assessment of Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells, Tissue Engineering 12 (2) 331-335

Gerhard-Herman M, et al. (2002). Assessment of endothelial function (nitric oxide) at the tip of a finger. Circulation, 106:Suppl II:170.

Gill M, Dias S, Hattori K, Rivera ML, Hicklin D, Witte L, Girardi L, Yurt R, Himel H, Rafii S, (2001). Vascular trauma induces rapid but transient mobilization of VEGFR2/AC133 endothelial precursor cells. Circ Res., 88:167–174.

Goon, P.K.Y. Lip G.Y.H, Boos, CJ, Stonelake, PS, Blann, AD. (2006). Circulating Endothelial Cells, Endothelial Progenitor Cells, and Endothelial Microparticles in Cancer, Neoplasia, 8:79-88.

Griese DP, Ehsan A, Melo LG, Kong D, Zhang L, Mann MJ, Pratt RE, Mulligan RC, Dzau VJ, (2003). Isolation and transplantation of autologous circulating endothelial cells into denuded vessels and prosthetic grafts: implications for cell-based vascular therapy. Circulation, 108: 2710–2715.

Heeschen C, Aicher A, Lehmann R, Fichtlscherer S, Vasa M, Urbich C, Mildner-Rihm C, Martin H, Zeiher AM, Dimmeler, (2003). Erythropoietin is a potent physiological stimulus for endothelial progenitor cell mobilization. Blood, 102:1340 –1346.

Heeschen C, Lehman R, Honold J, Assmus B, Aicher A, Walter DH, Martin H, Zeiher AM, Dimmeler S. (2004). Profoundly reduced neovascularization capacity of bone marrow mononuclear cells derived from patients with chronic ischemic heart disease.Circulation, 109:1615–1622.

Heissig B, Hattori K, Dias S, Friedrich M, Ferris B, Hackett NR, Crystal RG, Besmer P, Lyden D, Moore MA, Werb Z, Rafii S., (2002). Recruitment of stem and progenitor cells from the bone marrow niche requires MMP-9 mediated release of kit-ligand. Cell;109: 625-637.

Hiasa K, Ishibashi M, Ohtani K, Inoue S, Zhao Q, Kitamoto S, Sata M, Ichiki T, Takeshita A, Egashira K. Gene transfer of stromal cell-derived factor 1 enhances ischemic vasculogenesis and angiogenesis via vascular endothelial growth factor/endothelial nitric oxide synthaserelated pathway: next generation chemokine therapy for therapeutic neovascularization. Circulation, 109:2454 –2461.

Hill JM, Zalos G, Halcox JPG, Schenke WH, Waclawin MA, Quyyumi A, Finkel T. (2003). Circulating endothelial progenitor cells, vascular function and cardiovascular risk. N Engl J Med., 348:593– 600.

Hillebrands J-L, Klatter FA, van DijK WD, Rozing J. (2003). Bone marrow does not contribute substantially to endothelial-cell replacement in transplant arteriosclerosis.Nat Med., 8:194 –195.

Hu Y, Davison F, Zhan Z, Xu Q. (2003). Endothelial replacement and angiogenesis in arteriosclerotic lesions of allografts are contributed by circulating progenitor cells.Circulation, 108:3122–3127.

Hur, J., Yoon, C.H., Kim, H.S., Choi, J.H., Kang, H.J., Hwang, K.K., et al. (2004). Characterization of two types of endothelial progenitor cells and their different contributions to neovasculogenesis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 24(2), 288–293.

Imanishi, T., Hano, T. & Nishio, I. (2005) Estrogen reduces endothelial progenitor cell senescence through augmentation of telomerase activity. J Hypertens 23(9):1699-1706.

Iwaguro H, Yamaguchi J, Kalka C, Murasawa S, Masuda H, Hayashi S, Silver M, Li T, Isner JM, Asahara T, (2002). Endothelial progenitor cell vascular endothelial growth factor gene transfer for vascular regeneration. Circulation, 105:732–738.

Kalka C, Tehrani H, Laudernberg B, Vale P, Isner JM, Asahara T, Symes JF, (2000a). Mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells following gene therapy with VEGF165 in patients with inoperable coronary disease. Ann Thorac Surg., 70:829–834.

Kalka C, Masuda H, Takahashi T, Gordon R, Tepper O, Gravereaux E, Pieczek A, Iwaguro H, Hayashi S-I, Isner JM, Asahara T (2000b). Vascular endothelial growth factor165 gene transfer augments circulating endothelial progenitor cells in human subjects. Circ Res., 86:1198 –1202.

Kalka C, Masuda H, Takahashi T, Kalka-Moll WM, Silver M, Kearney M, Li T, Isner JM, Asahara T, (2000c). Transplantation of ex vivo expanded endothelial progenitor cells for therapeutic neovascularization. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 97:3422–3427.

Kang H-J, Kim H-S, Zhang S-Y, Park K-W, Cho H-J, Koo B-K, Kim Y-J, Lee DS, Sohn D-W, Han K-S, Oh B-H, Lee M-M, Park Y-B, (2004). Effects of intracoronary infusion of peripheral blood stem cells mobilized with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor on left ventrricular systolic function and restenosis after coronary stenting in myocardial infarction: the MAGIC cell randomized clinical trial. Lancet, 363:751–756.

Kawamoto A, Gwon H-C, Iwaguro H, Yamaguchi J, Uchida S, Masuda H, Silver M, Ma H, Kearney M, Isner JM, Asahara T, (2001). Therapeutic potential of ex vivo expanded endothelial progenitor cells for myocardial ischemia. Circulation, 103:634–637.

Khan SS, Solomon MA, and McCoy JP Jr, (2005). Detection of circulating-  endothelial cells and endothelial progenitor cells by flow cytometry. Cytometry B Clin Cytom64:1–8.

Kiernan, T.(2006). Endothelial progenitor cells in 2006 – Where are we now? http://www.irishheart.ie/iopen24/catalog/pub/Heartwise/2006/Spring/endothelial.pdf retrieved 6/22/2006. Link not found 5/1/2013

Kim, DH, Leu, HB, Ott, HC & Taylor, DO, Bertolini, F, Mancuso, P & Kerbel, RS, Boos, CJ, Goon, PKY, Lip, GYH, (2005). Multiple comments – Correspondence to the Editor on Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells. NEJM, 353:24, 2613-2616

Kleinman, ME, Blei, F, Gurtner, GC, (2005). Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Vascular Anomalies, Lymphatic Research and Biology, 3;4: 234-239.

Kocher AA, Schuster MD, Szabolcs MJ, Burkhoff D, Wang J, Homma S, Edwards NM, Itescu S. (2001). Neovascularization of ischemic myocardium by human bone-marrow-derived angioblasts prevents cardiomyocyte apoptosis, reduces remodeling and improves cardiac function. Nat Med., 7:430–436.

Kong D, Melo LG, Gnecchi M, Zhang L, Mostoslavski G, Liew CC, Pratt RE, Dzau VJ. (2004a). Cytokine-induced mobilization of circulating endothelial progenitor cells enhances repair of injured arteries. Circulation, 110:2039 –2046.

Kong D, Melo LG, Mangi AA, Zhang L, Lopez-Ilasaca M, Perrella MA, Liew CC, Pratt RE, Dzau VJ, (2004b). Enhanced inhibition of neointimal hyperplasia by genetically engineered endothelial progenitor cells. Circulation, 109:1769 –1775.

Kuvin JT, et al. (2003a). Assessment of peripheral vascular endothelial function with finger arterial pulse wave amplitude. Am Heart J, 146:168-74.

Kuvin JT, et al. (2003b). Peripheral arterial tonometry during hyperemia is blunted in patients with coronary artery disease. J Am Coll of Cardiology, 41:Suppl:269A.

Lapidot T, and Petit, I (2002) Current understanding of stem cell mobilization: The roles of chemokines, proteolytic enzymes, adhesion molecules, cytokines, and stromal cells. Experimental Hematology, 30:973–98

Laufs U, Werner N, Link A, Endres M, Wassmann S, Jurgens K, Miche E, Bohm M, and Nickenig G (2004). Physical training increases endothelial progenitor cells, inhibits neointima formation, and enhances angiogenesis. Circulation 109: 220–226.

Llevadot J, Murasawa S, Kureishi Y, Uchida S, Masuda H, Kawamoto A, Walsh K, Isner JM, Asahara T, (2001). HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor mobilizes bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells. J Clin Invest., 108:399–405.

Lloyd-Jones, D. and Tian, L. (2006). Predicting Cardiovascular Risk, So What Do We Do Now?. Arch Intern. Med, 166, 1342-1343.

Loomans CJM, de Koening EJP, Staal FJT, Rookmaaker MB, Verseyden C, de Boer HC, Verhaar MC, Braam B, Rebelink TJ, van Zonneveld A-J. (2004). Endothelial progenitor cell dysfunction. A novel concept in the pathogenesis of vascular complications of type I diabetes. Diabetes, 53:195–199.

Losordo DW, Isner JM, Diaz-Sandoval LJ, (2003). Endothelial Recovery. The next target in restenosis prevention. Circulation, 107:2635–2637.

Lusis, A.J. (2000). Atherosclerosis. Nature 407(6801), 233–241. DIGITAL LINK N/A

Massa M, Rosti V, Ferrario M, Campanelli R, Ramajoli, Rosso R, De Ferrari GM, Ferlini M, Goffredo L, Bertoletti A, Klersy C, Pecci A, Moratti R, Tavazzi, (2005). Increased circulating hematopoietic and endothelial progenitor cells in the early phase of acute myocardial infarction. Blood,105:199 –206.

Orlic D, Kajstura J, Chimenti S, Limana F, Jakoniuk I, Quaini F, Nadal-Ginard B, Bodine DM, Leri A, Anversa P. (2001). Mobilized bone marrow cells repair the infarcted heart, improving function and survival. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 98:10344 –10349.

Peichev M, Naiyer AJ, Pereira D, Zhu Z, Lane WJ, Williams M, Oz MC, Hicklin DJ, Witte L, Moore MA, and Rafii S (2000). Expression of VEGFR-2 and AC133 by circulating human CD34+ cells identifies a population of functional endothelial precursors. Blood 95: 952–958.

Perin EC, Dohmann HFR, Borojevic R, Silva SA, Sousa AL, Mesquita CT, Rossi MI, Carvalho AC, Dutra HS, Dohmann HJ, Silva GV, Belem L, Vivacqua R, Rangel FO, Esporcatte R, Geng YJ, Vaughn WK, Assad JA, Mesquita ET, Willerson JT, (2003). Transendocardial, autologous bone marrow cell transplantation for severe, chronic ischemic heart failure. Circulation, 107:2294 –2302.

Powell TM, Paul JD, Hill JM, Thompson M, Benjamin M, Rodrigo M, McCoy JP, Read EJ, Khuu HM, (2005). Leitman SF, Finkel T, Cannon RO III. Granulocyte colony stimulating factor mobilizes functional endothelial progenitor cells in patients with coronary artery disease. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol., 25:1– 6.

Rafii S, Lyden D (2003). Therapeutic stem and progenitor cell transplantation for organ vascularisation and regeneration. Nat Med 9: 702–712.

Rauscher FM, Goldschmidt-Clermont PJ, Davis BH, Wang T, Gregg D, Ramaswami P, Pippen AM, Annex BH, Dong C, Taylor DA, (2003). Aging, progenitor cell exhaustion, and atherosclerosis. Circulation, 108:457–463.

Ross R. (1999). Atherosclerosis – An inflammatory disease. N Engl J Med., 340:115–126.

Rubanyi GM. (1993). The role of endothelium in cardiovascular homeostasis and diseases. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol., 22(Suppl):S1–S4.

Sata M, Saiura A, Kunisato A, Tojo A, Okada S, Tokuhisa T, Hirai H, Makuuchi M, Hirata Y, Nagai R. (2002). Hematopoietic stem cells differentiate into vascular cells that participate in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Nat Med., 8:403– 409.

Schachinger V, Assmus B, Britten MB, Honold J, Lehman R, Teupe C, Abolmaali ND, Vogt TJ, Hofmann WK, Martin H, Dimmeler S, Zeiher AM, (2004). Transplantation of progenitor cells and regeneration enhancement in acute myocardial infarction: final one-year results of the TOPCARE-AMI trial. J Am Coll Cardiol., 44:1690 –1699.

Schatteman GC, Hanlon HD, Jiao C, Dodds SG, Christy BA. (2000). Blood derived angioblasts accelerate blood flow restoration in diabetic mice. J Clin Invest., 106:571–578.

Scheubel RJ, Zorn H, Rolf-Edgar S, Kuss O, Morawietz, Holtz J, Simm A. (2003). Age-dependent depression in circulating endothelial progenitor cells in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. J Am Col Cardiol., 42:2073–2080.

Segal, M.S., Shah, R., Afzal, A., Perrault, C.M., Chang, K., Schuler, A., et al. (2006). Nitric oxide cytoskeletal-induced alterations reverse the endothelial progenitor cell migratory defect associated with diabetes. Diabetes 55(1), 102-109

Shi Q, Raffi, Wu MH, Wijelath ES, Yu C, Ishida A, Fujita Y, Kothari S, Mohle R, Sauvage LR, Moore MAS, Storb RF, Hammond WP. (1998). Evidence of circulating bone-marrow derived endothelial cells. Blood, 92:362–367.

Shi Q, Bhattacharya V, Hong-De Wu M, Sauvage LR. (2002). Utilizing granulocyte colony-stimulating factor to enhance vascular graft endothelialization from circulating blood cells. Ann Vasc Surg., 16:314 –320.

Shintani S, Murohara T, Ikeda H, Ueni T, Honma T, Katoh A, Sasaki K, Shimada T, Oike Y, Imaizumi T, (2001). Mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Circulation, 103:2776 –2779.

Shirota, T., Yasui, H., Shimokawa, H. & Matsuda, T. (2003). Fabrication of endothelial progenitor cell (EPC)-seeded intravascular stent devices and in vitro endothelialization on hybrid vascular tissue. Biomaterials 24(13), 2295–2302.

Simper D, Wang S, Deb A, Holmes D, McGregor C, Frantz R, Kushawa SS, Caplice NM, (2003). Endothelial progenitor cells are decreased in blood of cardiac allograft patients with vasculopathy and endothelial cells of non cardiac origin are enriched in transplant atherosclerosis. Circulation, 107:143–149.

Spyridopoulos I, Haendeler J, Urbich C, Brummendorf TH, Oh H, Schneider MD, Zeiher AM, Dimmeler S, (2004). Statins enhance migratory capacity by upregulation of the telomere repeat-binding factor TRF2 in endothelial progenitor cells. Circulation, 110:3136 –3142.

Stamm C, Westphal B, Kleine H-D, Petzsch M, Kittner C, Klinge H, Schumichen C, Nienaber CA, Freund M, Steinhoff G, (2003). Autologous bonemarrow transplantation for myocardial regeneration. Lancet, 361:45–46.

Strauer BE, Brehm M, Zeus T, Kostering M, Hernandez A, Sorg RV, Kogler G, Wernet P, (2002). Repair of infarcted myocardium by autologous intracoronary mononuclear bone marrow cell transplantation in humans. Circulation, 106:1913–1918.

Strehlow K, Werner N, Berweiler J, Link A, Dirnagl U, Priller J, Laufs K, Ghaeni L, Milosevic M, Bohm M, Nickenig G, (2003). Estrogen increases bone-marrow derived endothelial progenitor cell production and diminishes neointima formation.Circulation, 107:3059 –3065.

Takahashi T, Kalka C, Masuda H, Chen D, Silver M, Kearney M, Magner M, Isner JM, Asahara T, (1999). Ischemia- and cytokine-induced mobilization of bone-marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells for neovascularization. Nat Med., 5:434–438.

Tepper OM, Galiano RD, Capla JM, Kalka C, Gagne PJ, Jacobwotiz GR, Levine JP, Gurtner GC. (2002). Human endothelial progenitor cells from type II diabetes exhibit impaired proliferation, adhesion, and incorporation into vascular structures.Circulation, 106:2781–2786.

Tse HF, Kwong YL, Chan JK, Lo G, Ho CL, and Lau CP (2003). Angiogenesis in ischaemic myocardium by intramyocardial autologous bone genesis marrow mononuclear cell implantation. Lancet 361: 47–49.

Tung, R, Kaul, S, Diamond, GA, Shah, PK (2006). Drug-Eluting Stents for the Management of Restenosis: A Critical Appraisal of the Evidence. Annals of Internal Medicine, 144;12: 913-919.

Valenzuela-Fernandez A, Planchenault T, Baleux F, et al. (2002) Leukocyte elastase negatively regulates stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF)/CXCR4 binding and functions by amino-terminal processing of SDF-1 and CXCR4.  J Biol Chem 277:156

Valgimigli M, Rigolin GM, Fucili A, Della Porta M, Soukhomovskaia O, Malagutti P, Bugli AM, Bragottu LZ, Francolini G, Mauro E, Castoldi G, Ferrari R, (2004). CD34 and endothelial progenitor cells in patients with various degrees of congestive heart failure. Circulation, 110:1209–1212.

Vasa M, Fichtlscherer S, Adler K, Aicher A, Martin H, Zeiher AM, Dimmeler S. (2001a). Increase in circulating endothelial progenitor cells by statin therapy in patients with stable coronary artery disease. Circulation, 103:2885–2890.

Vasa M, Fichtlscherer S, Aicher A, Adler K, Urbich C, Martin H, Zeiher AM, Dimmeler S. (2001b). Number and migratory activity of circulating endothelial progenitor cells inversely correlates with risk factors for coronary artery disease. Circ Res., 89:e1– e7.

Vasan, RS, (2006). Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Disease: Molecular Basis and Practical Considerations, Circulation, 113:2335-2362.

Verma S, Kukiszewski MA, Li S-H, Szmitko PE, Zucco L, Wang C-H, Badiwala MV, Mickle DAG, Weisel RD, Fedak PWM, Stewart DJ, Kutrik MJB, (2004). C-reactive protein attenuates endothelial progenitor cell survival, differentiation, and function.Circulation, 109:r91–r100.

Verma, S. and Marsden, P.A. (2005). Nitric Oxide-Eluting Polyurethanes – Vascular Grafts of the Future? New England Journal Medicine, 353 (7), 730-731.

Verma S, Szmitko, PE, (2006). The vascular biology of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors: Modulation of atherosclerosis. Can J Cardiol, 22 (Suppl B):12B-17B.

Walter DH, Rittig K, Bahlmann FH, Kirchmair R, Silver M, Murayama T, Nishimura H, Losordo DW, Asahara T, Isner JM, (2002). Statin therapy accelerates reendothelialization: a novel effect involving mobilization and incorporation of bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells. Circulation, 105:3017–3024.

Werner N, Junk S, Laufs L, Link A, Walenta K, Bohm M, Nickenig G., (2003).  Intravenous transfusion of endothelial progenitor cells reduces neointima formation after vascular injury. Circ Res., 93:e17– e24.

Werner N, Kosiol S, Schiegl T, Ahlers P, Walenta K, Link A, Böhm M, Nickenig G. (2005a). Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Cardiovascular Outcomes,NEJM, 353: 999-1007

Werner, N & Nickenig, G. (2005b). Authors Reply to Correspondence to the Editor on Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells. NEJM, 353:24, 2613-2616

Widlansky ME, et al. (2003). The clinical implications of endothelial dysfunction. J Am Coll of Cardiology, 42:1149-60.

Wollert KC, Meyer GP, Latz J, Ringes-Lichtenberg S, Lippolt P, Breindenbach C, Fichtner S, Korte T, Hornig B, Messinger D, Arseniev L, Hartenstein B, Ganser A, Drexler H (2004). Intracoronary autologous bonemarrow cell transfer after myocardial infarction: the BOOST randomised controlled clinical trial. Lancet, 364:141–148.

Yamaguchi J, Kusano KF, Masuo O, Kawamoto A, Silver M, Murasawa S, Bosch-Marce M, Masuda H, Losordo DW, Isner JM, Asahara T. (2003).  Stromal cell-derived factor-1 effects on ex vivo expanded endothelial progenitor cell recruitment for ischemic neovascularization. Circulation, 107:1322–1328.

Yoon YS, Park JS, Tkebuchava T, Luedeman C, Losordo DW. (2004). Unexpected severe calcification after transplantation of bone marrow cells in acute myocardial infarction. Circulation, 109:3154 –3157.

 

 

Read Full Post »

Reporter: Aviva Lev-Ari, PhD, RN

While a staff nurse at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, MA in 2008, I provided direct care for Morbid Obese patients, above 400 pounds that were transferred to Farr 9 – the Acute Surgery Unit from the PACU following Bariatric Surgery. The first day after a significant surgical intervention was very tough to the patient and very tough for the nurses, three types of analgesic drugs were used including epidural pumps and PCA. Pain medication diffused in the adipose tissue with just moderate amelioration of pain. Few patients had the operation done 10 years ago and needed a repair. Technology had advanced. More studies are needed to ascertain that in presence of morbid obesity and absence of DM, a Bariatric Surgery is THE Treatment for DM Disease Prevention.

Bariatric Surgery — From Treatment of Disease to Prevention?

Danny O. Jacobs, M.D., M.P.H.

N Engl J Med 2012; 367:764-765  August 23, 2012

Bariatric surgery to treat morbid obesity has improved dramatically over the past 60 years — especially over the past several decades. Today’s methods are far safer than the hazardous intestinal bypass procedures that were introduced in the 1950s. Bariatric-surgery techniques have progressed through various iterations of horizontal and vertical stapling of the stomach with or without banding (e.g., vertical banded gastroplasty) to vertical gastric partitioning or creation of a gastric pouch with proximal bypass into a jejunal loop (i.e., the gastric bypass), which is considered to be a reference standard.

Bariatric Surgery for Morbid Obesity.

Bariatric Surgery for Morbid Obesity.

SOURCE INFORMATION

From the Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC.

Bariatric Surgery and Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes in Swedish Obese Subjects

Lena M.S. Carlsson, M.D., Ph.D., Markku Peltonen, Ph.D., Sofie Ahlin, M.D., Åsa Anveden, M.D., Claude Bouchard, Ph.D., Björn Carlsson, M.D., Ph.D., Peter Jacobson, M.D., Ph.D., Hans Lönroth, M.D., Ph.D., Cristina Maglio, M.D., Ingmar Näslund, M.D., Ph.D., Carlo Pirazzi, M.D., Stefano Romeo, M.D., Ph.D., Kajsa Sjöholm, Ph.D., Elisabeth Sjöström, M.D., Hans Wedel, Ph.D., Per-Arne Svensson, Ph.D., and Lars Sjöström, M.D., Ph.D.

N Engl J Med 2012; 367:695-704  August 23, 2012

BACKGROUND

Weight loss protects against type 2 diabetes but is hard to maintain with behavioral modification alone. In an analysis of data from a nonrandomized, prospective, controlled study, we examined the effects of bariatric surgery on the prevention of type 2 diabetes.

METHODS

In this analysis, we included 1658 patients who underwent bariatric surgery and 1771 obese matched controls (with matching performed on a group, rather than individual, level). None of the participants had diabetes at baseline. Patients in the bariatric-surgery cohort underwent banding (19%), vertical banded gastroplasty (69%), or gastric bypass (12%); nonrandomized, matched, prospective controls received usual care. Participants were 37 to 60 years of age, and the body-mass index (BMI; the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters) was 34 or more in men and 38 or more in women. This analysis focused on the rate of incident type 2 diabetes, which was a prespecified secondary end point in the main study. At the time of this analysis (January 1, 2012), participants had been followed for up to 15 years. Despite matching, some baseline characteristics differed significantly between the groups; the baseline body weight was higher and risk factors were more pronounced in the bariatric-surgery group than in the control group. At 15 years, 36.2% of the original participants had dropped out of the study, and 30.9% had not yet reached the time for their 15-year follow-up examination.

RESULTS

During the follow-up period, type 2 diabetes developed in 392 participants in the control group and in 110 in the bariatric-surgery group, corresponding to incidence rates of 28.4 cases per 1000 person-years and 6.8 cases per 1000 person-years, respectively (adjusted hazard ratio with bariatric surgery, 0.17; 95% confidence interval, 0.13 to 0.21; P<0.001). The effect of bariatric surgery was influenced by the presence or absence of impaired fasting glucose (P=0.002 for the interaction) but not by BMI (P=0.54). Sensitivity analyses, including end-point imputations, did not change the overall conclusions. The postoperative mortality was 0.2%, and 2.8% of patients who underwent bariatric surgery required reoperation within 90 days owing to complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Bariatric surgery appears to be markedly more efficient than usual care in the prevention of type 2 diabetes in obese persons. (Funded by the Swedish Research Council and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01479452.)

Supported by grants from the Swedish Research Council (K2012-55X-22082-01-3, K2010-55X-11285-13, K2008-65x-20753-01-4), the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research to Sahlgrenska Center for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research, the Swedish federal government under the LUA/ALF agreement concerning research and education of doctors, the VINNOVA-VINNMER program, and the Wenner-Gren Foundations. The SOS study has previously been supported by grants to one of the authors from Hoffmann–La Roche, AstraZeneca, Cederroth, Sanofi-Aventis, and Johnson & Johnson.

Dr. Lena Carlsson reports receiving consulting fees from AstraZeneca and owning stock in Sahltech; Dr. Bouchard, receiving consulting fees from New York Obesity Nutrition Research Center, Pathway Genomics, Weight Watchers, and Nike, payment for manuscript preparation from Elsevier and Wiley-Blackwell, royalties from Human Kinetics and Informa Healthcare, honoraria from NaturALPHA, and reimbursement for travel expenses from European College of Sports Sciences, Nordic Physiotherapy, Wingate Congress, and Euro Sci Open Forum; Dr. Björn Carlsson, being employed by and owning stock in AstraZeneca; Dr. Sjöholm, owning stock in Pfizer; Dr. Wedel, receiving consulting fees from AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Roche, and Novartis; and Dr. Lars Sjöström, serving as a member of the board of Lenimen, receiving lecture fees from AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson, and providing an expert statement on drug effects and weight-loss effects on obesity for AstraZeneca. No other potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Disclosure forms provided by the authors are available with the full text of this article at NEJM.org.

Drs. Carlsson and Peltonen contributed equally to this article.

We thank the staff members at 480 primary health care centers and 25 surgical departments in Sweden that participated in the study; and Gerd Bergmark, Christina Torefalk and Lisbeth Eriksson for administrative support.

SOURCE INFORMATION

From the Institutes of Medicine (L.M.S.C., M.P., S.A., Å.A., B.C., P.J., C.M., C.P., S.R., K.S., E.S., P.-A.S., L.S.) and Surgery (H.L.), Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, and the Nordic School of Public Health (H.W.), Gothenburg, and the Department of Surgery, University Hospital, Örebro (I.N.) — all in Sweden; the Department of Chronic Disease Prevention, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki (M.P.); and Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Louisiana State University System, Baton Rouge (C.B.).

Address reprint requests to Dr. Lars Sjöström at the SOS Secretariat, Vita Stråket 15, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, S-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden, or at lars.v.sjostrom@medfak.gu.se.

N Engl J Med 2012; 367:695-704

Read Full Post »

« Newer Posts