Circulating endothelial Cells in coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndrome

Circulating endothelial cells (CEC) have been put forward as a promising biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of coronary artery disease and acute coronary syndromes. This review entails current insights into the physiology and pathobiology of CEC, including their relationship with circulating endothelial progenitor cells and endothelial microparticles. Additionally, we present a comprehensive overview of the diagnostic and prognostic value of CEC quantification, as well as possibilities for improvement, for example by inclusion of CEC morphology, transcriptomics, and proteomics.
Source: Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research