Circulating endothelial cell
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Key Takeaways
- Circulating endothelial cells ( CECs ) are endothelial cells that have been shed from the lining of the vascular wall into the blood stream.
- There are many factors involved in the process of creating CECs, including: reduced interaction between the endothelial cells and basement membrane proteins, damaged endothelial cellular adhesion molecules, mechanical injury, decreased survival of cytoskeletal proteins, and inflammation.
- EPCs are biomarkers of repair while CEC are biomarkers of damage.
- History Identification of CECs began in the 1970s.
- Role in cardiovascular disease Prior to a myocardial infarction (MI or heart attack), plaque may accumulate in the coronary arteries, Some plaque formations may rupture, causing a mechanical dislodgment of endothelial cells creating CEC.
Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) are endothelial cells that have been shed from the lining of the vascular wall into the blood stream. Endothelial cells normally line blood vessels to maintain vascular integrity and permeability, but when these cells enter into the circulation, this could be a reflection of vascular dysfunction and damage. There are many factors involved in the process of creating CECs, including: reduced interaction between the endothelial cells and basement membrane proteins, damaged endothelial cellular adhesion molecules, mechanical injury, decreased survival of cytoskeletal proteins, and inflammation.
Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are cells derived from the bone marrow which differentiate into endothelial cells to help support the vascular endothelium and create new blood vessels. EPCs are biomarkers of repair while CEC are biomarkers of damage. They can be distinguished by their different surface markers .
History
Identification of CECs began in the 1970s. A key step in their investigation occurred in 1992 when monoclonal antibodies to surface CEC antigens were discovered, leading to novel markers of CECs.
Role in cardiovascular disease
Prior to a myocardial infarction (MI or heart attack), plaque may accumulate in the coronary arteries, Some plaque formations may rupture, causing a mechanical dislodgment of endothelial cells creating CEC. The plaque that stays lodged in the coronary arteries may restrict blood flow to the cardiac muscle. This causes ischemia; the progressive death of cardiac muscle due to lack of oxygen. If the heart muscles have prolonged ischemia this may lead to the detachment of endocardial endothelial cells which can also create CEC.
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