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Circulating endothelial progenitor cells predict coronary artery disease severity.
Geoffrey A Kunz1, Ge Liang, Florim Cuculi
1Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. kunz0001@mc.duke.edu
American Heart Journal
|July 11, 2006
Summary
Lower circulating endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) counts are linked to more severe coronary artery disease (CAD). This finding suggests EPCs may be a new target for diagnosing and treating atherosclerosis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Vascular Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are crucial in combating atherosclerosis.
- Previous research linked EPC numbers to coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors.
- The association between EPC levels and atherosclerosis severity remained unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between circulating EPC counts and the severity of atherosclerosis.
- To determine if EPC levels predict multivessel CAD.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative cell culture measured EPC counts in 122 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization.
- Logistic regression analyzed the association between EPC count, multivessel CAD, and cardiac risk factors.
Main Results:
- Patients with multivessel CAD had significantly lower EPC counts (median 3 vs 13).
- Lower EPC counts were observed in diabetics and trended lower in older patients.
- EPC count was the second strongest predictor of multivessel CAD, after age.
Conclusions:
- A significant inverse relationship exists between circulating EPCs and CAD severity.
- This association is independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
- Circulating EPCs may represent a novel diagnostic and therapeutic target for coronary artery disease.