This study aims to isolate endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from participants with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular complications and to comprehensively characterize EPC dysfunction. Specifically, the study will evaluate maladaptive angiocrine signaling, calcium signaling pathways, and the role of inflammation in EPC function and the progression of atherosclerosis during T2D development. A sub-study will assess EPC functionality by examining endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression and activity, as well as the effectiveness of in vitro eNOS gene enhancement.
T2D
Males and females
Older than 18 years of age
Willingness to participate in the study and provide written consent form
Unable to meet the inclusion criteria
Type I diabetes, MODY diabetes or other form of diabetes
Active infection, inflammation, cancer or acute illness of any kind (other than a cardiovascular complication of diabetes if applicable in the group they are assigned to).
Chronic inflammation (eg. auto-immune diseases) or infections (eg. HIV, chronic hepatitis).
Participants will be recruited from Hamad Medical Corporation.
Cohort
Prospective
Not listed
Characterization of EPCs dysregulation in Type 2 diabetes
Functional characterization of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) isolated from participants will be performed by assessing cellular signaling and functional pathways. Measurements will be compared among EPCs isolated from participants with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, participants with type 2 diabetes without cardiovascular diseases, and healthy volunteers without diabetes or cardiovascular diseases.
Functional Analysis of inflammatory responses in Endothelial Progenitor Cells in type 2 Diabetes with cardiovascular complications
Functional characterization of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) isolated from participants will be performed by assessing cellular signaling and functional pathways. Measurements will be compared among EPCs isolated from participants with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, participants with type 2 diabetes without cardiovascular diseases, and healthy volunteers without diabetes or cardiovascular diseases.
Expression levels of angiocrine factor genes in EPCs
Expression levels of angiocrine related genes in EPCs measured by RNA sequencing and reported as normalized transcript counts.
Cytosolic calcium concetration in EPCs
Cytosolic calcium concentration and expression of calcium signaling transcripts and proteins in EPCs assessed using functional calcium assays and molecular analyses.
Quantification of Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in EPCs
Mitochondrial ROS production in EPCs measured using pre-designed fluorescence-based assay kits and reported as relative fluorescence units. Comparisons will be made among the three study groups.
Protein Expression of Inflammatory Transcription Factors in Endothelial Progenitor Cells
Protein expression levels in lysates are quantified using western blot analysis and normalized to housekeeping proteins.
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Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar
Lead sponsor
Hamad Medical Corporation
Collaborator