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Isolation of Endothelial Progenitor Cells from Healthy Volunteers and Their Migratory Potential Influenced by Serum Samples After Cardiac Surgery
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Decreased Endothelial Progenitor Cells Are Associated with Severe Coronary Artery Disease: Insights from a Clinical

Ivan Tomić1, Ivan Zeljko1, Ivica Brizić1

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Kralja Tvrtka bb, 88000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease
|April 25, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Lower levels of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) correlate with increased coronary artery disease (CAD) severity and acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This suggests EPCs may serve as valuable biomarkers for cardiovascular risk assessment.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Cell Biology
  • Biomarker Discovery

Background:

  • Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are vital for vascular repair.
  • Reduced EPC levels are linked to coronary artery disease (CAD) severity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between circulating EPC levels and CAD complexity.
  • To evaluate EPC levels in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Main Methods:

  • Quantified EPCs using flow cytometry in 85 patients undergoing coronary angiography.
  • Assessed CAD complexity using the Syntax Score I.
  • Compared EPC levels between ACS and non-ACS patient groups.

Main Results:

  • A significant inverse relationship was observed between EPC proportion and CAD severity (Syntax Score I).
  • EPC depletion was more pronounced in ACS patients compared to non-ACS patients (p = 0.027).

Conclusions:

  • Lower circulating EPC levels indicate more severe CAD and ACS.
  • EPCs show potential as biomarkers for cardiovascular risk stratification and monitoring disease progression.

Keywords:
Syntax Scoreacute coronary syndromebiomarkercoronary artery diseaseendothelial progenitor cellsvascular repair

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