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Updated: Jul 7, 2026
Ultrasound Assessment of Endothelial Function: A Technical Guideline of the Flow-mediated Dilation Test
Published on: April 27, 2016
Assessment of endothelial damage/dysfunction: a focus on circulating endothelial cells
Christopher J Boos1, Andrew D Blann, Gregory Y H Lip
1Haemostasis Thrombosis &Vascular Biology Unit, University Department of Medicine, City Hospital, England, UK.
Insights
Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) are a novel marker for assessing endothelial function and vascular disease. Increased CECs indicate disease severity and treatment response, despite quantification challenges.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology
- Cardiovascular Research
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Endothelial injury is a key factor in vascular disease and atherosclerosis.
- Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) are emerging as important indicators of endothelial health.
- Current methods for quantifying CECs face challenges due to low cell numbers and lack of standardization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of circulating endothelial cells (CECs) as a marker of endothelial function.
- To discuss the correlation of CECs with established markers of endothelial function.
- To highlight the potential of CEC quantification in assessing disease severity and treatment efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Identification and quantification of circulating endothelial cells (CECs).
- Correlation analysis with established endothelial function markers (e.g., flow-mediated dilation, von Willebrand factor, tissue plasminogen activator).
- Distinguishing CECs from endothelial progenitor cells.
Main Results:
- Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) show promise as a novel marker for endothelial function.
- CEC levels correlate with other established markers of endothelial health.
- Increased CEC counts are observed in various disease states, reflecting disease severity.
Conclusions:
- Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) represent a valuable tool for assessing endothelial function and vascular disease.
- Quantification of CECs, despite technical difficulties, offers insights into disease progression and therapeutic responses.
- CECs are distinct from endothelial progenitor cells and hold potential for clinical applications in cardiovascular medicine.
Abstract:
Endothelial injury represents a major initiating step in the pathogenesis of vascular disease and atherosclerosis. The identification and quantification of circulating endothelial cells (CECs) has evolved as a novel marker of endothelial function. As a technique, it correlates with other markers of endothelial function such as flow-mediated dilation, the measurement of von Willebrand factor, and tissue plasminogen activator. Quantification of CECs is difficult due to low numbers, variable morphology, and a lack of standardization in current techniques used. CECs appear to be a different population of cells to endothelial progenitor cells. Increased CECs have been noted in a number of disease states and is evolving as a novel method of assessment of both disease severity and response to treatment.
