The vascular endothelium is a critical determinant of dia- betes-associated vascular complications, and improving endothelial function is an important target for therapy. Diabetes mellitus contributes to endothelial c...The vascular endothelium is a critical determinant of dia- betes-associated vascular complications, and improving endothelial function is an important target for therapy. Diabetes mellitus contributes to endothelial cell injury and dysfunction. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a critical role in maintaining endothelial function and might affect the progression of vascular disease. EPCs are essential to blood vessel formation, can differentiate into mature endothelial cells, and promote the repair of damaged endothelium. In diabetes, the circulating EPC count is low and their functionality is impaired. The me- chanisms that underlie this reduced count and impaired functionality are poorly understood. Knowledge of the status of EPCs is critical for assessing the health of the vascular system, and interventions that increase the number of EPCs and restore their angiogenic activity in diabetes may prove to be particularly beneficial. The pre-sent review outlines current thinking on EPCs' therapeutic potential in endothelial dysfunction in diabetes, as well as evidence-based perspectives regarding their use for vascular regenerative medicine.展开更多
基金Supported by CNCSIS–UEFISCSU, No.1159, PNⅡ-IDEI code 1043/2008CNMP project number 42138, PNⅡ-Parteneriat code 3334/2008+1 种基金European Social Fund-‘Cristofor Ⅰ. Simionescu’ Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme (ID POSDRU/89/1.5/S/55216)Sectoral Operational Programme Human Resources Development 2007–2013, Romanian Academy
文摘The vascular endothelium is a critical determinant of dia- betes-associated vascular complications, and improving endothelial function is an important target for therapy. Diabetes mellitus contributes to endothelial cell injury and dysfunction. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a critical role in maintaining endothelial function and might affect the progression of vascular disease. EPCs are essential to blood vessel formation, can differentiate into mature endothelial cells, and promote the repair of damaged endothelium. In diabetes, the circulating EPC count is low and their functionality is impaired. The me- chanisms that underlie this reduced count and impaired functionality are poorly understood. Knowledge of the status of EPCs is critical for assessing the health of the vascular system, and interventions that increase the number of EPCs and restore their angiogenic activity in diabetes may prove to be particularly beneficial. The pre-sent review outlines current thinking on EPCs' therapeutic potential in endothelial dysfunction in diabetes, as well as evidence-based perspectives regarding their use for vascular regenerative medicine.
