Unconjugated
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.