Endothelial-like cells in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: crosstalk with myofibroblast-like cells
2011

Endothelial-like Cells in Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

Sample size: 6 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Sakao Seiichiro, Hao Hiroyuki, Tanabe Nobuhiro, Kasahara Yasunori, Kurosu Katsushi, Tatsumi Koichiro

Primary Institution: Chiba University

Hypothesis

Myofibroblast-like cells in the microenvironment created by the unresolved clot may promote endothelial cell dysfunction.

Conclusion

The microenvironment created by the stabilized clot may induce endothelial cell alterations.

Supporting Evidence

  • Endothelial-like cells exhibited altered morphology and lost the ability to form autophagosomes.
  • Myofibroblast-like cells promoted endothelial cell dysfunction through inactivation of autophagy.
  • Rapamycin treatment reversed phenotypic alterations in endothelial cells co-cultured with myofibroblast-like cells.
  • Decreased expression of superoxide dismutase was observed in endothelial cells co-cultured with myofibroblast-like cells.
  • Transitional cells co-expressing endothelial and smooth muscle markers were identified in the neointimal lesions.

Takeaway

In a study of patients with a lung condition, certain cells in their blood vessels were found to change and cause problems for other cells, which could make their condition worse.

Methodology

Cells were isolated from endarterectomized tissues and identified as myofibroblast-like cells and endothelial-like cells, followed by in vitro experiments to assess their effects on endothelial cells.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the small sample size and reliance on in vitro findings.

Limitations

The study is based on in vitro experiments and does not provide strong evidence for the mechanisms involved in endothelial cell dysfunction in vivo.

Participant Demographics

Patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension undergoing pulmonary endarterectomy.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1465-9921-12-109

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