Thymosin β4: A key factor for protective effects of eEPCs in acute and chronic ischemia

Rabea Hinkel, Ildiko Bock-Marquette, Antonis K. Hazopoulos, Christian Kupatt

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Acute myocardial infarction is still one of the leading causes of death in the industrial nations. Even after successful revascularization, myocardial ischemia results in a loss of cardiomyocytes and scar formation. Embryonic EPCs (eEPCs), retroinfused into the ischemic region of the pig heart, provided rapid paracrine benefit to acute and chronic ischemia in a PI-3K/Akt-dependent manner. In a model of acute myocardial ischemia, infarct size and loss of regional myocardial function decreased after eEPC application, unless cell pre-treatment with thymosin β4 shRNA was performed. Thymosin ß4 peptide retroinfusion mimicked the eEPC-derived improvement of infarct size and myocardial function. In chronic ischemia (rabbit model), eEPCs retroinfused into the ischemic hindlimb enhanced capillary density, collateral growth, and perfusion. Therapeutic neovascularization was absent when thymosin ß4 shRNA was introduced into eEPCs before application. In conclusion, eEPCs are capable of acute and chronic ischemia protection in a thymosin ß4 dependent manner.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThymosins in Health and Disease
Subtitle of host publication2nd International Symposium
PublisherBlackwell Publishing Inc.
Pages105-111
Number of pages7
ISBN (Print)9781573318013
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2010
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences
Volume1194
ISSN (Print)0077-8923
ISSN (Electronic)1749-6632

Keywords

  • Angiogenesis
  • Infarct size
  • Ischemia/reperfusion
  • Progenitor cells
  • Thymosin β4

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