Correlation of CD34+ cells with tissue angiogenesis after traumatic brain injury in a rat model

J Neurotrauma. 2009 Aug;26(8):1337-44. doi: 10.1089/neu.2008.0733.

Abstract

Increasing evidence suggests that circulating endothelial progenitor cells, which are a subpopulation of hematopoietic progenitor CD34(+) cells, play a critical role in neovascularization and tissue repair. We have tested the hypothesis that traumatic brain injury (TBI) could mobilize CD34(+) cells to peripheral blood and brain tissue, a process critical for vascular repair, in a rat model of TBI. Male Wistar rats were subjected to controlled fluid percussion. Blood and brain tissue were collected before and after TBI to measure the levels of CD34(+) cells in peripheral blood and to detect their accumulation in the damaged cerebral tissue. Compared with surgery controls, CD34(+) cells significantly increased in the peripheral blood and accumulated in the brain tissue of TBI rats. Immunohistochemistry detected new vessels with incomplete CD34(+) endothelial-like cell lining and an increased number of microvessels in the injured and surrounding tissue. The results demonstrate a close correlation between an increase in circulating CD34(+) cells in response to traumatic injury and angiogenesis in TBI rat brain. They also suggest that transplantation of CD34(+) cells or augmentation of endogenous CD34(+) cells may be a novel therapeutic approach for patients with TBI.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Antigens, CD34 / metabolism*
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Brain Injuries / metabolism*
  • Brain Injuries / physiopathology
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / metabolism
  • Male
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic / physiology*
  • Random Allocation
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antigens, CD34