Pericytes and Smooth Muscle Cells Circulating in the Blood as Markers of Impaired Angiogenesis during Combined Metabolic Impairments and Lung Emphysema

Abstract

The changes in endothelial progenitor cells and progenitor cells of angiogenesis, pericytes and smooth muscle cells, were studied in female C57BL/6 mice with a combination of metabolic impairments induced by injections of sodium glutamate and lung emphysema modeled by the administration of cigarette smoke extract. It was observed that sodium glutamate significantly enhances pathological changes in the lungs (inflammation and lung emphysema) induced by the administration of cigarette smoke extract. Recruiting of endothelial progenitor cells (CD45—CD31+CD34+ and CD31+CD34+CD146—) and progenitor cells of angiogenesis (CD45—CD117+CD309+) was registered in the injured lungs. Angiogenesis impairment induced by combined exposure is related to altered migration of pericytes (CD31—CD34—CD146+) and smooth muscle cells (CD31—CD34+CD146+) in emphysema-like enlarged lung tissue.