Inhibition of endothelial progenitor cell glycogen synthase kinase-3β results in attenuated neointima formation and enhanced re-endothelialization after arterial injury

摘要

Aims Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are circulating pluripotent vascular cells capable of enhancing re-endothelialization and diminishing neointima formation following arterial injury. Glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β is a protein kinase that has been implicated in the regulation of progenitor cell biology. We hypothesized that EPC abundance and function could be enhanced with the use of an inhibitor of GSK-3β (GSKi), thereby resulting in improved arterial repair.