Depletion of endothelial progenitor cells in the peripheral blood of patients with ulcerative colitis

Circulating endothelial progenitor cells are not affected by acute systemic inflammation

“…Recombinant C-reactive protein (CRP) depresses EC-CFU function in vitro (46), and, conversely, anti-TNF-␣ therapy enhances the mobilization and function of progenitor cells in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (1). A reduction in circulating EPCs occurs in a number of other conditions typified by chronic inflammation (13,26,30,31), which would suggest that EPC dysfunction is a potential mechanism for the development of atherosclerosis in these conditions. In contrast, acute vascular injury occurring in the context of percutaneous coronary intervention (5,29) or an acute coronary syndrome (12) induces both an acute systemic inflammatory response and the mobilization of EPCs and EC-CFUs.…”

Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Crohn’s Disease: An EPiC in the Making?

“…Garolla et al [1] reported a lower number of circulating EPCs in CD patients compared to controls, demonstrating that apoptosis is the principal pathway for EPC reduction. Contrary to the previous study, Masuda et al [9] reported no significant reduction in the number of circulating EPCs among CD patients as compared to controls. Furthermore, Marlicz et al [10] described significantly elevated numbers of circulating EPCs in CD patients.…”

“…Despite these successes, the effectiveness of circulating EPCs in the amelioration of CD remains speculative [1,9,10]. Garolla et al [1] reported a lower number of circulating EPCs in CD patients compared to controls, demonstrating that apoptosis is the principal pathway for EPC reduction.…”

Circulating Bone Marrow-Derived CD45−/CD34+/CD133+/VEGF+ Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Adults with Crohn’s Disease

“…This is an important finding which adds to the limited and conflicted data previously published. There have been only four prior clinical studies investigating peripheral EPCs in the setting of IBD, and only three involving patients with CD [7][8][9]15]. de Toni et al [15] found that the number of circulating EPCs is reduced among patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), in both the acute and chronic stages of disease.…”

“…Previous studies investigating EPCs in the setting of CD have yielded conflicting results, and it is still unclear whether the absolute peripheral EPC number increases or decreases in the disease [7][8][9]. Previous studies are small and not adequately controlled for disease activity.…”