RhoA/ROCK pathway mediated DHT regulates function of early endothelial progenitor cells / 中华急诊医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To analyze the effects of DHT on the proliferation and migration of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and the role of RhoA/ROCK pathway in this process.Methods:Early EPCs were isolated from peripheral blood of healthy adults, and cultured in serum-free EBM-2 medium for 24 h before incubation with various concentrations of DHT (1, 10, and 100 nmol/L). EPCs proliferative and migrative capacities were measured. The adherent cells were collected and randomLy divided into control group, DHT group, C3 exoenzyme+DHT, Y-27632+DHT group. EPCs proliferation and migration were assayed by MTT assay and modified Boyden chamber assay respectively.Results:DHT significantly increased the proliferation and migration ability of EPCs in a dose- and time-dependent manner, maximum at 10 nmol/L, 24 h ( P<0.05). C3 exoenzyme [(0.22±0.02) vs (0.26±0.05), P>0.05] and Y-27632 [(0.21±0.04) vs (0.26±0.05), P>0.05] can attenuate the proliferative capacities of EPCs induced by DHT compared with the DHT group, but there was no statistical significance. The influence of DHT on EPCs migrative capacities can be abolished by C3 exoenzyme [(35.26±4.27) vs (46.92±5.46), P<0.05] and Y-27632 [(33.61±5.33) vs (46.92±5.46), P<0.01]. C3 exoenzyme [(116.75±7.42) vs (156.80± 21.74), P<0.05] and Y-27632 [(121.73±5.33) vs (156.80 ±21.74), P<0.01] could noticeably attenuate DHT-induced EPCs secretion of VEGF respectively. Conclusions:DHT can modulate EPCs proliferation, migration and the RhoA/ROCK pathway plays an important role in this process.