Levels of circulating endothelial cells and colony-forming units are influenced by age and dyslipidemia.
BACKGROUND
The balance between endothelial injury and repair in childhood is poorly understood. We examined this relationship in healthy children, in adults, and in children with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH).


METHODS
Circulating endothelial cells (CECs) were measured as a marker of vascular injury, with vascular repair assessed by counting colony-forming units (CFUs), also known as endothelial progenitor cells.


RESULTS
CEC number increased with age. Children with FH had elevated CECs as compared with healthy children, with similar levels numerically to those found in healthy adults. CFU numbers were higher in healthy children than either healthy adults or children with FH. Endothelium-dependent vascular function, measured by flow-mediated dilatations, was positively associated with CFU number, even after adjustment for confounding risk variables.


CONCLUSIONS
Levels of CECs increase and CFUs decrease with age. In childhood, before the onset of clinically detectable cardiovascular dysfunction, children with a major risk factor for atherosclerotic disease have levels of these indexes of vascular injury and repair approaching those seen in adults.
Department of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK. f.arrigoni@kingston.ac.uk
Francesca I
FI
Fabbri-Arrigoni
Lindsey
L
Clarke
Guosu
G
Wang
Marietta
M
Charakida
Elizabeth
E
Ellins
Neil
N
Halliday
Paul A
PA
Brogan
John E
JE
Deanfield
Julian P
JP
Halcox
Nigel
N
Klein
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000473:pathology*; D042783:Endothelial Cells; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013234:Stem Cells; D055815:Young Adult