Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2011, Vol. 15 ›› Issue (45): 8529-8532.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2011.45.038

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Endothelial progenitor cells and estrogen

Liu Teng, Zhao Qian, Wang Wen   

  1. Department of Pathophysiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing  100069, China
  • Received:2011-05-15 Revised:2011-06-05 Online:2011-11-05 Published:2011-11-05
  • Contact: Wang Wen, Doctor, Associate professor, Department of Pathophysiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China wangwen@ccmu.edu.cn
  • About author:Liu Teng★, Studying for master’s degree, Department of Pathophysiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China liuteng8710@yahoo.com.cn, liuteng8710@163.com
  • Supported by:

    the Natural Science Foundation of Beijing, No. 7112012*; the Scientific and Technological Research Development Project of Beijing Education Committee, No. KM200910025003*

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Estrogen has obviously protective effect on vascular endothelium. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), as precursors of endothelial cells, take an important role in endothelial recovery.
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the characteristics of EPCs as well as the effect of estrogen on EPCs.
METHODS: A computer search of PubMed database and CNKI database was performed using the keywords of “endothelial progenitor cells, estrogen” in English and Chinese, respectively, in the titles and abstracts. All articles related to the characteristics of endothelial progenitor cells and studies about the effect of estrogen on EPCs were selected.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: EPCs are the precursors of endothelial cells which have the capacity of proliferation, migration, adhesion and differentiation into vascular endothelial cells. EPCs are existing in both bone marrow and peripheral blood, which has become a new therapy target of cardiovascular diseases. Studies have shown that estrogen has protective effect on EPCs: estrogen can improve the proliferation, migration, adhesion and other bioactivities of EPCs, and EPCs senescence are delayed and apoptosis of EPCs are reduced by estrogen treatment. Further research is needed to clarify the specific targets and mechanisms involved in the effect of estrogen on EPCs.

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