Abstract

The endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have defined as cells positively labeled with both hematopoietic stem cells (CD34) and endothelial cell markers predominantly VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR2) cumulatively. Therefore, there are at least two types of EPCs labelled as early outgrowth EPCs and late outgrowth EPCs probably distinguished their vascular protective ability. Recent animal and clinical studies have shown that reduced number and weak function of EPCs may not only indicate to higher CV risk, but contribute to the impaired heart and vessels reparation. Interestingly, there are some subpopulations of EPCs especially recruited from peripheral blood cells, which may exhibit very variable pro-angiogenic effect and endothelial repair capacity and they are called “preconditioned” EPCs. The aim of the short commentary is depicted the possibilities to use of measurement of traditionally labeled EPCs as biomarker of cardiovascular risk.