Research Terms
Cardiovascular System Lupus Kidney Diseases
This use of the hormone relaxin, relaxin-like peptides or mimetics to positively impact the number and function of bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells positions it as a distinctive therapeutic for conditions such as preeclampsia and other cardiovascular diseases. During pregnancy, women show a marked decrease in systemic vascular resistance, increases in cardiac output and global arterial compliance, and a decline in arterial pressure. The ovarian peptide hormone relaxin plays a key role in these positive adaptations. Increasing bone-marrow derived endothelial progenitor cells during pregnancy facilitates the development of new blood vessels and contributes to accelerated repair of existing blood vessels. Women who suffer from diabetes or preeclampsia during pregnancy may have a defect in the number or function of bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells, which may improve with relaxin therapy.
Researchers at the University of Florida have discovered that the use of relaxin to increase the number and function of bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells has therapeutic potential as a potent therapeutic in preeclampsia, cardiovascular disease and other pathologic conditions.
Use of relaxin or relaxin-like peptides or mimetics to increase the number and activity of bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells in preeclampsia, cardiovascular disease or other pathologic conditions.
Provides a method to mobilize, activate and incorporate bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells, enabling:
Relaxin regulates the biology of bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells by increasing the cells in number and function, enhancing their integration into sites where new blood vessels either form or need repair. Specifically, the recombinant human relaxin-2 (rhRLX) stimulates nitric oxide production in human bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells within minutes and activates their migration. Relaxin or relaxin-like hormones could be useful for a number of indications, many of them regenerative, including promoting angiogenesis, vasculogenesis, neovascularization and vascular remodeling.
