Abstract 3646: Oxidative Stress-Mediated Thombospondin-2 Upregulation Contributes to Diabetic Endothelial Progenitor Cell Dysfunction via Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Activation

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play an essential role in angiogenesis but are dysfunctional in diabetes featuring excessive oxidative stress. Thrombospondin-2 (TSP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) possess potent anti-angiogenic properties, but their roles on EPC dysfunction in diabetes remain unknown. We tested the hypothesis that increased oxidative stress up-regulates TSP-2 and contributes to diabetic EPC dysfunction through...