Original ArticleCirculating CD133+ CD34+ Progenitor Cells and Plasma Stromal-Derived Factor-1Alpha: Predictive Role in Ischemic Stroke Patients

Circulating progenitor cells and stromal-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1α) have been suggested to participate in tissue repair after ischemic injury. However, the predictive role of circulating CD133+ CD34+ progenitors and plasma SDF-1α in ischemic stroke (IS) patients remains unknown. In this study, we recruited 95 acute IS patients, 40 at-risk subjects, and 30 normal subjects. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), infarct volume, and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) were determined at day 1 and the modified Rankin scale (mRS) of functional outcome was assessed at day 21. The levels of circulating CD133+ CD34+ cells and plasma SDF-1α were determined by flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Our data showed that: (1) the levels of CD133+ CD34+ cells were lower in at-risk subjects and IS patients at admission (day 1) when compared with normal controls; (2) the day 1 level of CD133+ CD34+ cells varied in IS subgroups and inversely correlated with NIHSS and carotid IMT and the level of SDF-1α inversely correlated with NIHSS and infarct volume; (3) the increment rates of circulating CD133+ CD34+ cells and plasma SDF-1α within the first week were correlated; and (4) patients with a higher level of CD133+ CD34+ cells at day 7 had a low mRS. The increased rate of CD133+ CD34+ cells in the first week was inversely associated with mRS. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that the circulating CD133+ CD34+ progenitor cells and plasma SDF-1α can be used as predictive parameters for IS severity and outcome.