The Role of Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Coronary Artery Disease: Basic Molecular Mechanisms and Its Clinical Potentials

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains as the world number one cause of morbidity and mortality. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are known to be involved in vascular biology. Current review briefly summarizes the basics of EPCs and its clinical use in CAD.CONTENT: EPCs were firstly isolated in 1997 and involved in neovascularization. Further evidence defined EPCs into two distinguishable groups, namely: myeloid angiogenic cells (MACs) and endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs). Common cardiovascular drugs, statin, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, and their combinations, showed beneficial effects on EPCs. Likewise, the incorporation of EPCs upon CAD intervention management had been recently studied. Intramyocardial EPCs implementation and anti-CD34 antibody-coated stents could provide a promising option for refractory symptoms in CAD.SUMMARY: Association between EPCs and CAD is very dynamic and complex. EPCs could serve as both therapeutic target and agent in CAD patients. Subsequently, a universal definition of EPCs is needed for greater research in the future.KEYWORDS: atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, endothelial progenitor cells, neovascularization

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Role of endothelial progenitor cells in the beneficial effects of physical exercise on atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/japplphysiol.01464.2010 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 111 (1) ◽

pp. 321-328 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Karsten Lenk ◽

Madlen Uhlemann ◽

Gerhard Schuler ◽

Volker Adams

Keyword(s):

Coronary Artery Disease ◽

Coronary Artery ◽

Physical Exercise ◽

Progenitor Cells ◽

Endothelial Progenitor Cells ◽

Endothelial Progenitor ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Endothelial Cell Layer ◽

Artery Disease

In clinical trials as well as in several animal experiments it is evident that physical exercise is a powerful tool to positively influence the development and/or progression of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease (CAD). The main target of physical exercise seems to be the maintenance of an intact endothelial cell layer. Since the discovery that endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are present in the circulation and the knowledge that exercise, either as a single exercise bout or an exercise training program, have the potency to mobilize EPCs from the bone marrow, the contribution of the EPCs for the preservation or repair of the endothelial cell layer is still under debate. Either the EPCs differentiate into mature endothelial cells, or they stimulate via a paracrine mechanism mature endothelial cells to proliferate. It is still unclear, if the exercise-induced mobilization of EPCs is casually related to the improvement of endothelial function. This review will discuss the role of endothelial progenitor cells in the beneficial effects of physical exercise on atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.

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