Testosterone Enhances the Proliferation of Peripheral-Blood-Derived Endothelial Progenitor Cells by up-regulating Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression

Aim To explore the effects and related mechanisms of testosterone on the proliferation of Peripheral-blood endothelial progenitor cells(PB-EPCs).Methods Total mononuclear cells(MNC) were isolated from peripheral blood of healthy volunteers by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation,culturing with EGM-2MV for 7 days in vitro.The adherent cells showed up taking of acetylated low-density(ac-LDL-DiI) and binding of lectin(FITC-UEA-I),observing with confocal laser scanning microscopy.PB-EPC were dealt with four concentrations of testosterone,as 0 nmol/L,1 nmol/L,10 nmol/L,and 100 nmol/L respectively,and in another group PB-EPC were pretreated with 10 nmol/L flutamide(androgen receptor antagonist) for 3h and then stimulated with 10 nmol/L testosterone.After 48 h,the ability of cell proliferation was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diph-phenyltetrazolium bromide assay(MTT).The VEGF expression was tested by quantitative real-time RT-PCR and ELISA assay.Results The proliferation of PB-EPC were increased by testosterone in a dose-dependent manner,however,these effects could be blocked by flutamide.Testosterone can up-regulate VEGF both on mRNA and protein level,however,these effects could be blocked by flutamide.Conclusions Testosterone enhances the proliferation of PB-EPCs by up-regulating VEGF expression via androgen receptor pathway.