阿尔茨海默病和内皮祖细胞的研究进展

痴呆最常见的病因是阿尔茨海默病(AD),传统观点认为AD是神经系统变性疾病,而近年来内皮功能异常在其发生、发展中的作用越来越受到关注。外周血内皮祖细胞(EPCs)是能够直接反映内皮功能的指标之一,其数目和功能的异常提示血管内皮功能失调及血管修复能力下降。EPCs数目和功能异常所致的脑血管内皮损害和修复能力下降、脑灌注不良可能与AD患者的认知功能障碍有关。因此深入研究AD和外周血EPCs的关系,将有利于进一步揭示AD的发病机制,为其防治提供新的思路。

Research Progress of Alzheimer's Disease and Endothelial Progenitor Cells

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia among older people as a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia have traditionally been considered as being completely different. However,this neurodegenerative-vascular dichotomy has now been heavily criticized. Recent data indicate that endothelial dysfunction is of great importance in the pathogenesis and progression of Alzheimer' s disease. Impaired microvasculature has been correlated with the pathological changes in both Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. There is increasing evidence regarding vascular changes in Alzheimer's disease. Circulating endothelial progenitor cells are late-stage bone marrow-derived stem cells that circulate in blood and play an essential role in the process of vessel repair upon injury. Circulating endothelial progenitors have provided insights into the maintenance and restoration of endothelial function. The abnormal activity of circulating endothelial progenitors in patients with Alzheimer's disease along with the continuing cerebral endothelial damages, and the chronic cerebral hypoperfusion probably accelerates the progression of Alzheimer's disease. The aim of this review is to investigate the relationship between circulating endothelial progenitors and Alzheimer's disease. We discuss the presence of endothelial dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease and try to take a step toward understanding the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.