Aging and endothelial progenitor cell telomere length in healthy men
EJ Kushner, GP Van Guilder… - Clinical Chemistry and …, 2009 - degruyter.com
Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, 2009•degruyter.com
Background: Telomere length declines with age in mature endothelial cells and is thought to
contribute to endothelial dysfunction and atherogenesis. Bone marrow-derived circulating
endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are critical to vascular health as they contribute to both
reendothelialization and neovascularization. We tested the hypothesis that EPC telomere
length decreases with age in healthy adult humans. Methods: Peripheral blood samples
were collected from 40 healthy, non-obese, sedentary men: 12 young (age 21–34 years), 12 …
contribute to endothelial dysfunction and atherogenesis. Bone marrow-derived circulating
endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are critical to vascular health as they contribute to both
reendothelialization and neovascularization. We tested the hypothesis that EPC telomere
length decreases with age in healthy adult humans. Methods: Peripheral blood samples
were collected from 40 healthy, non-obese, sedentary men: 12 young (age 21–34 years), 12 …
Abstract
Background: Telomere length declines with age in mature endothelial cells and is thought to contribute to endothelial dysfunction and atherogenesis. Bone marrow-derived circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are critical to vascular health as they contribute to both reendothelialization and neovascularization. We tested the hypothesis that EPC telomere length decreases with age in healthy adult humans.
Methods: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 40 healthy, non-obese, sedentary men: 12 young (age 21–34 years), 12 middle-aged (43–55 years) and 16 older (57–68 years). Putative EPCs were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and telomere length was determined using genomic DNA preparation and Southern hybridization techniques.
Results: EPC telomere length (base pairs) was ∼20% (p=0.01) lower in the older (8492+523 bp) compared to the middle-aged (10,565+572 bp) and young (10,205+501 bp) men. Of note, there was no difference in EPC telomere length between the middle-aged and young men.
Conclusions: These results demonstrate that EPC telomere length declines with age in healthy, sedentary men. Interestingly, telomere length was well preserved in the middle-aged compared to young men, suggesting that EPC telomere shortening occurs after the age of 55 years.
Clin Chem Lab Med 2009;47:47–50.
De Gruyter