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Circulating endothelial cells: the role in aging and brain pathology
1School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China.
Insights
Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) in blood indicate disease. Elevated CECs signal endothelial changes, aiding prognosis in aging and brain disorders, and monitoring cancer therapy.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology
- Biomarkers
- Gerontology
Background:
- Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) are mature vascular cells normally found in low numbers in peripheral blood.
- Increased CEC levels are observed in various diseases, reflecting endothelial cell turnover or injury.
- CEC counts can fluctuate significantly in diseased individuals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of CECs as biomarkers in aging and brain disorders.
- To explore the relationship between CECs, pathological conditions, and disease prognosis.
- To provide insights into the potential for CECs in disease prevention and treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on CECs in pathological conditions.
- Analysis of studies investigating CECs in elderly patients and those with brain disorders.
- Examination of CECs as biomarkers in hematological diseases and cancers.
Main Results:
- CEC concentration is elevated and variable in diseased patients.
- Changes in CEC count correlate with disease progression, treatment response, and prognosis.
- CECs are implicated in endothelial damage and serve as biomarkers for tumor vascularity and therapy monitoring.
Conclusions:
- CECs are valuable indicators of endothelial cell changes and disease states.
- Studying CECs under pathological conditions is crucial for understanding their role in aging and brain disorders.
- CECs offer potential for improved disease monitoring, prognosis, and therapeutic strategies.
Abstract:
Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) are mature vascular cells found in peripheral blood, originating from the vascular wall. Normally, they are present in low numbers in the body. CECs are released into the blood during tissue turnover or vascular injury from various factors. In diseased patients, blood often has a higher and variable CEC concentration. Changes in CEC count can serve as a biomarker, indicating conditions involving endothelial cell changes, including hematological diseases. They reflect disease progression, predict treatment response, and prognosis in disease therapy. CECs serve a purpose and are thought to contribute to endothelial damage, revealing changes in the prognosis of disease in elderly patients and those with brain disorders. Additionally, CECs act as biomarkers for tumor vascular damage and therapy monitoring in cancers like glioblastoma. To understand their role as disease markers in brain and elderly patients, it is important to study CECs under pathological conditions. This review details the relationship between CECs, aging, and brain disorders and provides insights for prevention and treatment.
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