Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology
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Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol. · Nov 2017
Leptin Induces Sca-1+ Progenitor Cell Migration Enhancing Neointimal Lesions in Vessel-Injury Mouse Models.
Leptin is an adipokine initially thought to be a metabolic factor. Recent publications have shown its roles in inflammation and vascular disease, to which Sca-1+ vascular progenitor cells within the vessel wall may contribute. We sought to elucidate the effects of leptin on Sca-1+ progenitor cells migration and neointimal formation and to understand the underlying mechanisms. ⋯ Upregulation of leptin levels in both the vessel wall and the circulation after vessel injury promoted the migration of Sca-1+ progenitor cells via leptin receptor-dependent signal transducer and activator of transcription 3- Rac1/Cdc42-ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase)-FAK pathways, which enhanced neointimal formation.