Endothelial progenitor cells and hypertension.docVIP

 PAGE \* MERGEFORMAT 23 Endothelial progenitor cells and hypertension [Keywords:] progenitor cells; hypertension; re-endothelialization  Endothelial progenitor cells (endothelial progenitor cells, EPCs) EPCs is a kind of primitive cells derived from bone marrow, similar to embryo-forming blood vessel cells (angioblast). In the physiological or pathological factors under the effect of EPCs in the bone marrow into the peripheral circulation, and under certain conditions, can be directed to differentiate into mature endothelial cells. Recently, research has shown that the number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells and function and cardiovascular risk factors and atherosclerosis (artherosclerosis, AS) are highly relevant [1], and can be used as a sign of risk stratification. Hypertension is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease, can lead to atherosclerosis. Author of the relationship between hypertension and EPCs are reviewed.  1 EPCs and vascular endothelial  Vascular endothelial cells (vascular endothelial cell, VEC) is a continuous layer covering the entire lumen surface of the flat cells lining on the inner walls of blood vessels for blood flow to provide a smooth surface, to maintain the normal flow of blood. Play the role of VEC barrier, but also has important endocrine functions, involved in the repair after vascular injury and immune response is the body’s largest endocrine and paracrine organ. The maintenance of endothelial integrity of the normal function of vascular endothelium plays an important role. Numerous studies confirmed that vascular endothelial dysfunction is closely related with a variety of cardiovascular diseases.  EPCs can express a sign of early hematopoietic stem cells, CD34, CD133 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor -2 (VEGFR-2, or KDR) 3 kinds of cells surface markers. EPCs differentiated cells can show the classic shape and characteristics of endothelial cells, such as t