Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy.
Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Naples, Italy.
Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Dec 20;22(24):13675. doi: 10.3390/ijms222413675.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease characterized by the swelling of multiple joints, pain and stiffness, and accelerated atherosclerosis. Sustained immune response and chronic inflammation, which characterize RA, may induce endothelial activation, damage and dysfunction. An equilibrium between endothelial damage and repair, together with the preservation of endothelial integrity, is of crucial importance for the homeostasis of endothelium. Endothelial Progenitor Cells (EPCs) represent a heterogenous cell population, characterized by the ability to differentiate into mature endothelial cells (ECs), which contribute to vascular homeostasis, neovascularization and endothelial repair. A modification of the number and function of EPCs has been described in numerous chronic inflammatory and auto-immune conditions; however, reports that focus on the number and functions of EPCs in RA are characterized by conflicting results, and discrepancies exist among different studies. In the present review, the authors describe EPCs' role and response to RA-related endothelial modification, with the aim of illustrating current evidence regarding the level of EPCs and their function in this disease, to summarize EPCs' role as a biomarker in cardiovascular comorbidities related to RA, and finally, to discuss the modulation of EPCs secondary to RA therapy.
类风湿关节炎（RA）是一种慢性自身免疫性炎症性疾病，其特征为多个关节肿胀、疼痛和僵硬，以及动脉粥样硬化加速。RA 的特征是持续的免疫反应和慢性炎症，这可能会引发内皮细胞的激活、损伤和功能障碍。内皮细胞损伤和修复之间的平衡，以及内皮完整性的保持，对内皮的稳态至关重要。内皮祖细胞（EPCs）是一种异质性细胞群体，其特征是能够分化为成熟的内皮细胞（ECs），有助于血管稳态、新生血管形成和内皮修复。在许多慢性炎症和自身免疫性疾病中，已经描述了 EPCs 数量和功能的改变；然而，关于 RA 中 EPCs 数量和功能的报告结果存在冲突，并且不同研究之间存在差异。在本综述中，作者描述了 EPCs 在与 RA 相关的内皮修饰中的作用和反应，旨在阐明目前关于 EPCs 水平及其在该疾病中的功能的证据，总结 EPCs 作为与 RA 相关的心血管合并症的生物标志物的作用，最后讨论 RA 治疗后 EPCs 的调节。
