title: Assessment of endothelial damage/dysfunction: a focus on circulating endothelial cells.
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.
authors.affiliation: Haemostasis Thrombosis &Vascular Biology Unit, University Department of Medicine, City Hospital, England, UK.
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Boos
authors.forename: Andrew D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Blann
authors.forename: Gregory Y H
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Lip
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D004727:Endothelium / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers