Mitochondrial depolarization stimulates vascular repair-relevant functions of CD34+ cells via reactive oxygen species-induced nitric oxide generation

CD34+ haematopoietic stem/progenitor cells have revascularization potential and are now being tested for the treatment of ischaemic vascular diseases in clinical trials. We tested the hypothesis that mitochondrial depolarization stimulates the reparative functions of CD34+ cells. Experimental approach: Peripheral blood was obtained from healthy individuals (n = 63), and mononuclear cells (MNCs) were separated. MNCs were enriched for lineage negative cells, followed by isolation of CD34+ cells. Vascular repair-relevant functions of CD34+ cells, proliferation and migration, were evaluated in the presence and absence of diazoxide. Mitochondrial membrane potential, ROS and NO levels were evaluated by flow cytometry by using JC-1, mitoSOX and DAF-FM respectively. Key

CD34+ haematopoietic stem/progenitor cells have revascularization potential and are now being tested for the treatment of ischaemic vascular diseases in clinical trials. We tested the hypothesis that mitochondrial depolarization stimulates the reparative functions of CD34+ cells. Experimental approach: Peripheral blood was obtained from healthy individuals (n = 63), and mononuclear cells (MNCs) were separated. MNCs were enriched for lineage negative cells, followed by isolation of CD34+ cells. Vascular repair-relevant functions of CD34+ cells, proliferation and migration, were evaluated in the presence and absence of diazoxide. Mitochondrial membrane potential, ROS and NO levels were evaluated by flow cytometry by using JC-1, mitoSOX and DAF-FM respectively. Key

Diazoxide stimulated the proliferation and migration of CD34+ cells that were comparable to the responses induced by stromal-derived factor-1α (SDF) or VEGF. Effects of diazoxide were blocked by either 5-hydroxydecanoate (5HD), a selective mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel (mitoKATP ) inhibitor, or by L-NAME. Diazoxide induced mitochondrial depolarization, and NO and cGMP generation that were 5HD-sensitive. The generation of NO and cGMP by diazoxide was blocked by an endothelial NOS (eNOS)-selective inhibitor, NIO, but not by a neuronal (n)NOS-selective inhibitor, Nω -propyl-L-arginine (NPA). A Ca2+ chelator, BAPTA, Akt inhibitor, triciribine, or PI3K inhibitor, LY294002, inhibited the NO release induced by diazoxide. Phosphorylation of eNOS at Ser1177 and dephosphorylation at Thr495 were increased. Diazoxide-induced ROS generation and phosphorylation of eNOS at Ser1177 were reduced by NPA.