Circulating CD133+ CD34+ Progenitor Cells and Plasma Stromal-derived Factor-1 alpha: Predictive Role in Ischemic Stroke Patients

• Published in: Journal of stroke and cerebrovascular diseases Vol. 24; no. 2; pp. 319 - 326
• Main Authors: Chen, Yusen, Lu, Bing, Wang, Jinju, Chen, Shuzhen, Lin, Zhijun, Ma, Xiaotang, Liu, Yajing, Zhao, Bin, Chen, Yanfang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 22.11.2014
• ISSN: 1052-3057; 1532-8511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2014.08.026

Circulating progenitor cells and stromal-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1α) have been suggested to participate in tissue repair following ischemic injury. However, the predictive role of circulating CD133+CD34+ progenitors and plasma SDF-1α in ischemic stroke (IS) patients remains unknown. In this study, we recruited 95 acute IS patients, 40 at-risk subjects and 30 normal subjects. The NIH stroke scale (NIHSS), infarct volume and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) were determined at day 1 and the modified rankin scale (mRS) of functional outcome was assessed at day 21. The levels of circulating CD133+CD34+ cells and plasma SDF-1α were determined by flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Our data showed that: 1) The levels of CD133+CD34+ cells were lower in at-risk subjects and IS patients at admission (day 1) when compared to normal controls. 2) The day 1 level of CD133+CD34+ cells varied in IS subgroups and inversely correlated with NIHSS and carotid IMT. The level of SDF-1α inversely correlated with NIHSS and infarct volume. 3) The increment rates of circulating CD133+CD34+ cells and plasma SDF-1α within the first week were correlated. 4) Patients with a higher level of CD133+CD34+ cells at day 7 had a low mRS. The increase rate of CD133+CD34+ cells in the first week was inversely associated with mRS. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that the circulating CD133+CD34+ progenitor cells and plasma SDF-1α can be used as predictive parameters for IS severity and outcome.