title: Circulating endothelial cells and chronic kidney disease.
abstract: Endothelial dysfunction may play a crucial role in initiation of the pathogenesis of vascular disease and atherosclerosis. The identification and quantification of circulating endothelial cells (CEC) have been developed as a novel marker of endothelial function. We describe, in great detail, mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction and CEC detachment. We also review the relationship between numbers of CEC and disease severity and response to treatment. In addition, we describe the possible clinical use of CEC in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and kidney transplantation. In summary, CEC have been developed as a novel approach to assess the endothelial damage. Measurement of the CEC level would provide an important diagnostic and prognostic value on the endothelium status and the long-term outcome of vascular dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Weifang People's Hospital, No. 151 Guangwen Street, Kuiwen District, Weifang, Shandong 261041, China.
authors.forename: Kunying
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Weifang People's Hospital, No. 151 Guangwen Street, Kuiwen District, Weifang, Shandong 261041, China.
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Weifang People's Hospital, No. 151 Guangwen Street, Kuiwen District, Weifang, Shandong 261041, China.
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology*