title: A novel hypothesis of atherosclerosis: EPCs-mediated repair-to-injury.
abstract: Recent findings demonstrate the vital role of endothelial progenitor cells in the homeostasis of the vessel wall and the development of atherosclerosis. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play important roles in repair-to-injury of arteries. Many evidences have shown Cardiovascular risk factors closely correlated with EPCs numbers and function. Levels of circulating EPCs represented a better predictor of endothelial function than conventional risk factors. Depletion of bone marrow and Cardiovascular risk factors are the two prerequisits of atherosclerosis. All conditions of manifest atherosclerotic disease are accompanied by reduced EPC numbers and migratory capacity. Therefore, based on response-to-injury hypothesis and these findings, we build up EPCs-mediated repair-to-injury hypothesis, which may have important therapeutic implications in the prevention and therapy of atherosclerosis. The use of EPCs for vascular repair may be important therapy strategies with a maximized benefit for the patient in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha Hunan 410011, China.
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Sheng-hua
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Xu-ping
authors.initials: XP
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xiang-Qian
authors.initials: XQ
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Zhen-fei
authors.initials: ZF
authors.lastname: Fang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012307:Risk Factors; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D014945:Wound Healing