Negri Sharon, Reyff Zeke, Troyano-Rodriguez Eva, Milan Madison, Ihuoma Jennifer, Tavakol Sherwin, Shi Helen, Patai Roland, Jiang Raymond, Mohon Jonah, Boma-Iyaye Jed, Ungvari Zoltan, Csiszar Anna, Yabluchanskiy Andriy, Moccia Francesco, Tarantini Stefano
Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Neurodegeneration Program, Dept. of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Neurodegeneration Program, Dept. of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
Ageing Res Rev. 2025 Feb;104:102672. doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2025.102672. Epub 2025 Jan 28.
Endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs), a unique endothelial progenitor subset, are essential for vascular integrity and repair, providing significant regenerative potential. Recent studies highlight their role in cerebrovascular aging, particularly in the pathogenesis of vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID). Aging disrupts ECFC functionality through mechanisms such as oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and cellular senescence, leading to compromised vascular repair and reduced neurovascular resilience. ECFCs influence key cerebrovascular processes, including neurovascular coupling (NVC), blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity, and vascular regeneration, which are critical for cognitive health. Age-related decline in ECFC quantity and functionality contributes to vascular rarefaction, diminished cerebral blood flow (CBF), and BBB permeability-processes that collectively exacerbate cognitive decline. This review delves into the multifaceted role of ECFCs in cerebrovascular aging and underscores their potential as therapeutic targets in addressing age-related vascular dysfunctions, presenting new directions for mitigating the effects of aging on brain health.
内皮祖细胞集落形成细胞（ECFCs）是一种独特的内皮祖细胞亚群，对血管完整性和修复至关重要，具有显著的再生潜力。最近的研究突出了它们在脑血管衰老中的作用，特别是在血管性认知障碍和痴呆（VCID）的发病机制中。衰老通过氧化应激、慢性炎症和细胞衰老等机制破坏ECFCs的功能，导致血管修复受损和神经血管弹性降低。ECFCs影响关键的脑血管过程，包括神经血管耦合（NVC）、血脑屏障（BBB）完整性和血管再生，这些对认知健康至关重要。与年龄相关的ECFCs数量和功能下降导致血管稀疏、脑血流量（CBF）减少和BBB通透性增加，这些过程共同加剧认知衰退。本综述深入探讨了ECFCs在脑血管衰老中的多方面作用，并强调了它们作为治疗靶点在解决与年龄相关的血管功能障碍方面的潜力，为减轻衰老对大脑健康的影响提供了新方向。
