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Review
. 2014 Jul 26;6(3):355-66.
doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v6.i3.355.

Endothelial progenitor cells in cardiovascular diseases

Poay Sian Sabrina Lee  1 , Kian Keong Poh  1
Affiliations
Review

Endothelial progenitor cells in cardiovascular diseases

Poay Sian Sabrina Lee et al. World J Stem Cells. .

Abstract

Endothelial dysfunction has been associated with the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Adult endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are derived from hematopoietic stem cells and are capable of forming new blood vessels through a process of vasculogenesis. There are studies which report correlations between circulating EPCs and cardiovascular risk factors. There are also studies on how pharmacotherapies may influence levels of circulating EPCs. In this review, we discuss the potential role of endothelial progenitor cells as both diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. In addition, we look at the interaction between cardiovascular pharmacotherapies and endothelial progenitor cells. We also discuss how EPCs can be used directly and indirectly as a therapeutic agent. Finally, we evaluate the challenges facing EPC research and how these may be overcome.

Keywords: Cardiovascular diseases; Diabetes; Dyslipidemia; Endothelial progenitor cells; Hypertension; Stents; Therapy.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Colony forming unit isolated from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells using commercial colony forming unit-hill assay.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Cobble-shaped outgrowth endothelial progenitor cells from human peripheral blood at day 14.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Cardiovascular-related pharmacological therapies which may affect numbers and function of endothelial progenitor cells. TZDs: Thiazolidinedione; DPP4I: Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors; ARBs: Angiotensin II receptor blockers; ACEI: Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors; CCBs: Calcium channel blockers.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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