Phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-gamma is integral to homing functions of progenitor cells

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and hematopoietic progenitor cells are recruited to ischemic regions, improving neovascularization. β1 and β2 integrins play a crucial role for progenitor cell homing to ischemic tissues. Integrin activity is regulated by chemokines and their respective G protein–coupled receptors. The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase catalytic subunit γ (PI3Kγ) is the PI3K isoform that selectively transduces signals from G protein–coupled receptors. Here, we investigated the role of PI3Kγ as a signaling intermediate in the chemokine-induced integrin-dependent homing functions of progenitor cells. A pharmacological PI3Kγ inhibitor significantly reduced chemokine-induced chemotaxis and stromal cell–derived factor (SDF)1α-induced transmigration of human EPCs. Moreover, the PI3Kγ inhibitor significantly reduced SDF1α-induced adhesion of EPCs to intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and human umbilical vein endothelial cell monolayers. These findings were corroborated with Lin−bone marrow–derived progenitor cells from PI3Kγ-deficient mice that displayed reduced SDF1α-induced migration and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 adhesion as compared with wild-type cells. Pharmacological inhibition or genetic ablation of PI3Kγ reduced SDF1α-induced integrin activation in human EPCs and in murine Lin−BM-derived progenitor cells, respectively. In vivo, the homing of PI3Kγ-deficient Lin−progenitor cells to ischemic muscles after intravenous infusion in the model of hindlimb ischemia and their neovascularization-promoting capacity was reduced as compared with wild-type cells. In conclusion, PI3Kγ is integral to the integrin-dependent homing of progenitor cells.