Abstract 253: The Presence of Coronary Artery Disease Influences Number and Function of Stem Cells in the Bone Marrow

Purpose: Despite the observed therapeutic benefits of autologous bone marrow (BM)-derived stem cell transplantation in patients with ischemic heart disease, the efficacy of this approach could be hampered by BM dysfunction. We investigated whether BM cellularity and function is affected by coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods & Results: BM samples were obtained peri-operatively from 26 CAD patients, undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery (LVEF 54±16%), and 6 controls, undergoing mitral valve surgery (LVEF 50±12%; age 59±10yrs). CAD patients were stratified according to their Syntax score (mild ≤15, age 61±10yrs; and moderate CAD >15, age 63±8yrs; stratification based on median score), which is used to assess complexity of coronary lesions. In vitro functional analysis of isolated BM-derived mononuclear cells (BM-MNC) revealed a significant impairment of migratory capacity towards SDF-1α and VEGF in patients with moderate CAD (25.71±7.3%) compared to controls (33.82±8.3%; p=0.042) and patients with mild CAD (34.76±7.8%; p=0.007). Hematopoetic stem cells (HSC, CD45dimCD34+SSClow) were reduced in patients with moderate CAD (8178±5530 HSC/106 BM-MNC; p=0.014) and mild CAD (10655±5489 HSC/106 BM-MNC; p=0.054) compared to controls (16220±6126 HSC/106 BM-MNC). An inverse correlation was found between age and the number of granulocyte-macrophage colony forming units (r= −0.408; p=0.048), burst forming units erythroid (r= −0.458; p=0.028) and HSC (r=-0.356; p=0.046). Furthermore, our data revealed a relation between reduced renal function (CKD-EPI eGFR, 81.2±19 ml/min) and reduced number of HSC (r=0.480; p=0.011) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPC, CD45dimCD34+KDR+; r=0.522; p=0.008). Conclusions: Migratory capacity of BM-MNC and the number of HSC are reduced in patients with CAD, which is more pronounced in more complex CAD. In addition, age and renal function emerge as relevant determinants on BM function and stem cell populations. Therefore, these factors should be taken into account when assessing benefits of autologous stem cell therapy.