Title: A New Prospective Marker Identified for Repairing Damaged Blood Vessels: AbcCRECs
In a groundbreaking study, researchers have identified a single, prospective marker that can isolate vascular clonal repopulating endothelial cells (CRECs), which they have named AbcCRECs. This discovery could lead to new cell therapies for repairing damaged vessels in patients.
The study, led by Chang-Hyun Gil, PhD, MS, assistant research professor of surgery at the Indiana University School of Medicine, analyzed the potential of endothelial cells that express a protein called ABCG2 to make colonies, self-renew, and form vessels. These cells have the potential to form new blood vessels and contribute to the repair of heart tissue blood vessels after a heart attack.
By analyzing the genes and proteins in these cells, the researchers discovered that AbcCRECs have specific pathways involved in blood vessel formation and tissue regeneration. “We found that ABCG2 involved in blood vessel development are more active in these cells compared to others, suggesting that these specific endothelial cells have the potential to be used in repairing damaged blood vessels,” said Gil.
AbcCRECs are becoming an important cell type to be considered for use in human patients suffering from a variety of diseases such as peripheral arterial disease, diabetes, diabetic proliferative retinopathy, acute kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease. The team has been studying these types of endothelial cells for over seven years, and further experiments and studies are needed to better understand the functions and mechanisms of AbcCRECs.
One of the most significant findings of the study is that this protein marker identified the CRECs in both mouse and human subjects. “Few markers have been found that permit prospective isolation of endothelial cells with reparative properties in both mice and humans, making these findings exciting for future study,” said Mervin C. Yoder, MD, Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the IU School of Medicine and a professor of surgery at the University of Pittsburgh.
The team’s next steps include developing methods to apply these cells in treating vascular damage and diseases. Clinical trials are required to validate the therapeutic efficacy of AbcCRECs and explore how to apply the treatment to patients.
This discovery has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of vascular damage and diseases, offering new hope to patients suffering from a variety of conditions. Further studies and clinical trials are needed to fully understand the potential of AbcCRECs and bring this promising treatment to patients.
