Endothelial Progenitor Cells Enter the Aging Arena.

Age is a significant risk factor for the development of vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis. Although pharmacological treatments, including statins and anti-hypertensive drugs, have improved the prognosis for patients with cardiovascular disease, it remains a leading cause of mortality in tho...

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Main Authors: Kate eWilliamson, Sally eStringer, Yvonne eAlexander
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2012-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Physiology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fphys.2012.00030/full
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author Kate eWilliamson
Sally eStringer
Yvonne eAlexander
author_facet Kate eWilliamson
Sally eStringer
Yvonne eAlexander
author_sort Kate eWilliamson
collection DOAJ
description Age is a significant risk factor for the development of vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis. Although pharmacological treatments, including statins and anti-hypertensive drugs, have improved the prognosis for patients with cardiovascular disease, it remains a leading cause of mortality in those aged 65 years and over. Furthermore, given the increased life expectancy of the population in developed countries, there is a clear need for alternative treatment strategies. Consequently, the relationship between aging and progenitor cell-mediated repair is of great interest. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play an integral role in the cellular repair mechanisms for endothelial regeneration and maintenance. However, EPCs are subject to age-associated changes that diminish their number in circulation and function, thereby enhancing vascular disease risk. A great deal of research is aimed at developing strategies to harness the regenerative capacity of these cells.In this review, we discuss the current understanding of the cells termed ‘EPCs’, examine the impact of age on EPC-mediated repair and identify therapeutic targets with potential for attenuating the age-related decline in vascular health via beneficial actions on EPCs.
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spelling doaj.art-1865215063d0421180175af5c74238222022-12-22T01:55:33ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Physiology1664-042X2012-02-01310.3389/fphys.2012.0003021213Endothelial Progenitor Cells Enter the Aging Arena.Kate eWilliamson0Sally eStringer1Yvonne eAlexander2The University of ManchesterThe University of ManchesterThe University of ManchesterAge is a significant risk factor for the development of vascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis. Although pharmacological treatments, including statins and anti-hypertensive drugs, have improved the prognosis for patients with cardiovascular disease, it remains a leading cause of mortality in those aged 65 years and over. Furthermore, given the increased life expectancy of the population in developed countries, there is a clear need for alternative treatment strategies. Consequently, the relationship between aging and progenitor cell-mediated repair is of great interest. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play an integral role in the cellular repair mechanisms for endothelial regeneration and maintenance. However, EPCs are subject to age-associated changes that diminish their number in circulation and function, thereby enhancing vascular disease risk. A great deal of research is aimed at developing strategies to harness the regenerative capacity of these cells.In this review, we discuss the current understanding of the cells termed ‘EPCs’, examine the impact of age on EPC-mediated repair and identify therapeutic targets with potential for attenuating the age-related decline in vascular health via beneficial actions on EPCs.http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fphys.2012.00030/fullNitric OxideOxidative Stresssenescenceageendothelial progenitor cellsvasculature
spellingShingle Kate eWilliamson
Sally eStringer
Yvonne eAlexander
Endothelial Progenitor Cells Enter the Aging Arena.
Frontiers in Physiology
Nitric Oxide
Oxidative Stress
senescence
age
endothelial progenitor cells
vasculature
title Endothelial Progenitor Cells Enter the Aging Arena.
title_full Endothelial Progenitor Cells Enter the Aging Arena.
title_fullStr Endothelial Progenitor Cells Enter the Aging Arena.
title_full_unstemmed Endothelial Progenitor Cells Enter the Aging Arena.
title_short Endothelial Progenitor Cells Enter the Aging Arena.
title_sort endothelial progenitor cells enter the aging arena
topic Nitric Oxide
Oxidative Stress
senescence
age
endothelial progenitor cells
vasculature
url http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fphys.2012.00030/full
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