Review of Role of Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Process of Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerotic diseases are responsible for a significant part of morbidity and mortality.According to classical opinions,atherosclerotic lesions develop as the result of an inflammatory process initiated by endothelial damage.More recently,studies on atherosclerosis are no longer confined to the damage of the vessel wall,rather they also examine changes in endothelial progenitor cells,among others.In this review we describe the role of endothelial progenitor cells in the atherosclerotic process of formation and development:starting from the impact of risk factors on endothelial progenitor cells,through the mechanisms that link endothelial progenitor cell reduction/dysfunction to plaque formation,and finally to the clinical syndromes.