Open Access

Thymosin β4 promotes glucose‑impaired endothelial progenitor cell function via Akt/endothelial nitric oxide synthesis signaling pathway

  • Authors:
    • Fuyu Qiu
    • Jiale Song
    • Xukun Bi
    • Meihui Wang
    • Yanbo Zhao
    • Guosheng Fu
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: August 10, 2018     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2018.6593
  • Pages: 3439-3444
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Abstract

Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are a subtype of hematopoietic stem cells, which can differentiate into endothelial cells and restore endothelial function. However, high glucose decreases the number and impairs the function of EPCs. A previous study showed that thymosin β4 (Tβ4), a pleiotropic peptide beneficial for multiple functions of various types of cells, could promote EPC migration and dose‑dependently upregulate the phosphorylation of Akt and endothelial nitric oxide synthesis signaling (eNOS). In present study, the hypothesis that Tβ4 can improve glucose‑suppressed EPC functions via the Akt/eNOS signaling pathway and restores the production of nitric oxide (NO) is investigated. EPCs were isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy volunteers and formed a cobblestone shape after 3‑4 weeks of cultivation. Then, EPCs were treated with high concentrations of glucose (25 mM) for 4 days and administrated with Tβ4 for further study. Transwell migration and tube formation assays were performed to access the migratory and angiogenic ability of EPCs. In addition, the quantity of Akt, eNOS and the concentration of nitric oxide (NO) was investigated. Functional studies showed that high concentrations of glucose significantly suppressed EPC function, while this adverse effect was reversed by the administration of Tβ4. In addition, Akt small interfering (si)RNA and eNOS siRNA were demonstrated to reduce the protective effect of Tβ4 against glucose‑impaired EPC functions. These findings suggest that Tβ4 improves glucose‑impaired EPC functions via the Akt/eNOS signaling pathway.
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October-2018
Volume 16 Issue 4

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
Online ISSN:1792-1015

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Spandidos Publications style
Qiu F, Song J, Bi X, Wang M, Zhao Y and Fu G: Thymosin β4 promotes glucose‑impaired endothelial progenitor cell function via Akt/endothelial nitric oxide synthesis signaling pathway. Exp Ther Med 16: 3439-3444, 2018
APA
Qiu, F., Song, J., Bi, X., Wang, M., Zhao, Y., & Fu, G. (2018). Thymosin β4 promotes glucose‑impaired endothelial progenitor cell function via Akt/endothelial nitric oxide synthesis signaling pathway. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 16, 3439-3444. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2018.6593
MLA
Qiu, F., Song, J., Bi, X., Wang, M., Zhao, Y., Fu, G."Thymosin β4 promotes glucose‑impaired endothelial progenitor cell function via Akt/endothelial nitric oxide synthesis signaling pathway". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 16.4 (2018): 3439-3444.
Chicago
Qiu, F., Song, J., Bi, X., Wang, M., Zhao, Y., Fu, G."Thymosin β4 promotes glucose‑impaired endothelial progenitor cell function via Akt/endothelial nitric oxide synthesis signaling pathway". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 16, no. 4 (2018): 3439-3444. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2018.6593