Significant evidence demonstrates that an adverse in utero environment increases offspring risk for vascular disease. While initial reports focused on growth restricted infants, data suggest that maternal diabetes (DM) predisposes offspring to vascular disease. Together these data suggest that the fetal vasculature is highly susceptible to injury. A critical component of vascular health is intact endothelial function. Homeostatic regulation of the endothelium requires dynamic interactions between endothelial cells and cells circulating in the blood to sustain endothelial function. Importantly, endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) orchestrate vascular repair and vessel formation. Additionally, numerous studies in adults demonstrate a correlation between reduced peripheral blood EPC numbers and function with increased vascular disease risk. However, no studies have examined whether a similar correlation exists in children. Together these data form the basis for our overall hypothesis. We hypothesize that a maternal type 2 DM (T2DM) intrauterine environment subjects the fetus to significant stress resulting in decreased EPC numbers, loss of EPC functional capacity, and increased risk for endothelial dysfunction in offspring. EPC subpopulations can be identified by culture methods and flow cytometry. Two EPC subpopulations with distinct functional properties have been reported. However, few studies have evaluated the function of these EPCs from pediatric subjects, despite data indicating that both EPC types are operative in vascular repair. Studies outlined in this application will directly interrogate whether dysfunction of both EPC subpopulations are involved in endothelial dysfunction of offspring from T2DM pregnancies and examine the contribution of premature aging in the functional capacity of EPCs. Elucidating the underlying mechanisms responsible for the increased risk of vascular disease in offspring of T2DM mothers is paramount to finding potential preventative strategies. Further, pediatric studies offer the potential to identify biomarkers of vascular disease risk such that early interventions may be implemented to disrupt this pathology.
In this application, we will directly interrogate whether dysfunction of endothelial progenitor cells are involved in endothelial dysfunction of offspring from mothers with type 2 diabetes. Elucidating the underlying mechanisms responsible for the increased risk of vascular disease in offspring of type 2 diabetic mothers is paramount to finding potential preventative strategies.
