Estrogen Receptors α and β Mediate Contribution of Bone Marrow–Derived Endothelial Progenitor Cells to Functional Recovery After Myocardial Infarction

Abstract

Both ER alpha and ER beta contribute to E2-mediated EPC activation and tissue incorporation and to preservation of cardiac function after myocardial infarction. ER alpha plays a more prominent role in this process. Moreover, ER alpha contributes to upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor, revealing possible mechanisms of an effect of E2 on EPC biology. Finally, these data provide additional evidence of the importance of bone marrow-derived EPC phenotype in ischemic tissue repair.