Semin Thromb Hemost 2007; 33(2): 136-143
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-969026
Copyright © 2007 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Platelet-Induced Differentiation of Endothelial Progenitor Cells

Harald F. Langer1 , Andreas E. May1 , Dietmar Vestweber2 , Hetty C. De Boer3 , Antonis K. Hatzopoulos4 , Meinrad Gawaz1
  • 1Medizinische Klinik III, Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
  • 2Institute of Cell Biology, ZMBE, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
  • 3Department of Nephrology, University Medical Center Leyden, Leyden, The Netherlands
  • 4GSF-Research Center for Environment & Health, Institute for Clinical Molecular Biology and Tumor Genetics, Munich, Germany, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee
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Publikationsdatum:
06. März 2007 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have the potential to home at sites of vascular lesions and to contribute to revascularization. This homing is a highly concerted mechanism, which involves chemotaxis, adhesion, migration, and finally integration of the cells into the target tissue. Only recently has the platelet been identified as a central mediator of EPC homing. Adherent platelets were able to mediate chemotaxis and adhesion of EPCs, a process that involved P-selectin glycoprotein ligand 1 and very late antigen-4 (VLA-4). Recent studies suggest that platelet-derived stromal cell-derived factor-1 is also involved centrally in the recruitment of EPCs. Furthermore, platelets induce progenitor cell migration by platelet-derived growth factor AB. Recent in vivo data confirm the recruitment of EPCs to sites of vascular lesions after vessel denudation by activated platelets and fibrin. Moreover, when coincubated with platelets, EPCs differentiate to mature endothelial cells and have the potential to migrate and colonize a platelet thrombus. The described interaction of EPCs with platelets represents a novel mechanism of vascular remodeling and healing of endothelial lesions.

REFERENCES

Harald LangerM.D. 

Medizinische Klinik III, Universitätsklinikum Tübingen

Otfried-Müllerstr. 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany

eMail: harald.langer@med.uni-tuebingen.de