Abstract
Over the past decade, we have witnessed an exponential growth of interest into the role of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in cardiovascular disease. While the major thinking revolves around EPC angiogenic repair properties, we have used a hypothesis-driven approach to discover disease-related defects in their characteristics and based on these findings, have identified opportunities for functional enhancement, which offer an exciting avenue for translation into clinical intervention. In this review, we focus on two groups; circulating myeloid angiogenic cells (MACs) and late outgrowth endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs), and will discuss the unique properties and defects of each population, as new insights have been gained into the potential function of each sub-type using current techniques and multiomic technology. We will discuss their role in inflammatory disorders and alterations in mitochondrial function. In addition, we share key insights into the glycocalyx, and propose this network of membrane-bound proteoglycans and glycoproteins, covering the endothelium warrants further investigation in order to clarify its significance in ECFC regulation of vascularization and angiogenesis and ultimately for potential translational therapeutic aspects.
Highlights
Endothelial Progenitor Cells: New Targets for Therapeutics for Inflammatory Conditions With High Cardiovascular Risk
We focus on two groups; circulating myeloid angiogenic cells (MACs) and late outgrowth endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs), and will discuss the unique properties and defects of each population, as new insights have been gained into the potential function of each sub-type using current techniques and multiomic technology
These patients experience endothelial dysfunction prior to accelerated subclinical atherosclerosis, possibly due to the sustained activation of the immune response, including production of pro-atherogenic hormones and immune complexes [9], and research has shown that endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are likely to play a role in this process [10]
Summary
Endothelial Progenitor Cells: New Targets for Therapeutics for Inflammatory Conditions With High Cardiovascular Risk. We have witnessed an exponential growth of interest into the role of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in cardiovascular disease. We focus on two groups; circulating myeloid angiogenic cells (MACs) and late outgrowth endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs), and will discuss the unique properties and defects of each population, as new insights have been gained into the potential function of each sub-type using current techniques and multiomic technology. We will discuss their role in inflammatory disorders and alterations in mitochondrial function.
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