Stromal cell-derived factor-1α prevents endothelial progenitor cells senescence and enhances re-endothelialization of injured arteries via human telomerase reverse transcriptase

Recent studies have suggested that endothelial progenitor subpopulation (EPCs) number and activity were associated with EPCs senescence. Our previous study had shown that stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1α) could prevent EPCs senescence, which may be via telomerase. In this study, we further investigated the role of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (h-TERT) on the protective effect of SDF-1α against senescence. Knockdown h-TERT abrogated the protective effect of SDF-1α and abolished the effects of SDF-1α on migration and proliferation. Moreover, it inhibited EPCs recruitment. In conclusion, h-TERT served a critical role in the progress that SDF-1α prevented EPCs senescence and enhanced re-endothelialization of the injured arteries.