This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a related Letter to the Editor Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Sugawara, J. Articles by Okamura, K. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Sugawara, J. Articles by Okamura, K. Related Collections Female Endocrinology

Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells during Human Pregnancy

Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Junichi Sugawara, M.D., Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-1, Seiryomachi, Aobaku, Sendai, 980-8574, Japan. E-mail: sugawara{at}mail.tains.tohoku.ac.jp.

The precise molecular and cellular mechanisms that regulate maternal vascular development during gestation are largely unknown. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which play an important role in vascular homeostasis, have been discovered in the circulation. We examined the level of circulating EPCs throughout uncomplicated pregnancies (n = 20) and assessed the correlation between serum estradiol levels and the number of EPCs. The number of circulating EPCs increased gradually and paralleled the progression of gestational age. In addition, the number of EPCs correlated significantly with the level of serum estradiol. The present study suggests that EPCs may play an important role in the regulation and maintenance of the placental development and vascular integrity during pregnancy.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A.O. Robb, N.L. Mills, I.B.J. Smith, A. Short, O. Tura-Ceide, G.R. Barclay, A. Blomberg, H.O.D. Critchley, D.E. Newby, and F.C. Denison Influence of menstrual cycle on circulating endothelial progenitor cells Hum. Reprod., March 1, 2009; 24(3): 619 - 625. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				W Wojakowski, M Kucia, M Kazmierski, M Z Ratajczak, and M Tendera Circulating progenitor cells in stable coronary heart disease and acute coronary syndromes: relevant reparatory mechanism? Heart, January 1, 2008; 94(1): 27 - 33. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. O Robb, N. L Mills, D. E Newby, and F. C Denison Endothelial progenitor cells in pregnancy Reproduction, January 1, 2007; 133(1): 1 - 9. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. C. Schatteman, M. Dunnwald, and C. Jiao Biology of bone marrow-derived endothelial cell precursors Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, January 1, 2007; 292(1): H1 - H18. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Sugawara, M. Mitsui-Saito, C. Hayashi, T. Hoshiai, M. Senoo, H. Chisaka, N. Yaegashi, and K. Okamura Decrease and Senescence of Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Patients with Preeclampsia J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., September 1, 2005; 90(9): 5329 - 5332. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]