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Negri S, Reyff Z, Troyano-Rodriguez E, Milan M, Ihuoma J, Tavakol S, Shi H, Patai R, Jiang R, Mohon J, Boma-Iyaye J, Ungvari Z, Csiszar A, Yabluchanskiy A, Moccia F, Tarantini S. Endothelial Colony-Forming Cells (ECFCs) in cerebrovascular aging: Focus on the pathogenesis of Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Dementia (VCID), and treatment prospects. Ageing Res Rev 2025; 104:102672. [PMID: 39884362 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2025.102672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2024] [Revised: 01/21/2025] [Accepted: 01/24/2025] [Indexed: 02/01/2025]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Negri
- 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
| | - Zeke Reyff
- 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
| | - Eva Troyano-Rodriguez
- 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
| | - Madison Milan
- 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
| | - Jennifer Ihuoma
- 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
| | - Sherwin Tavakol
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Neurodegeneration Program, Dept. of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Helen Shi
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Neurodegeneration Program, Dept. of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Roland Patai
- 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
| | - Raymond Jiang
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Neurodegeneration Program, Dept. of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Casady School, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Jonah Mohon
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Neurodegeneration Program, Dept. of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics, OK, USA
| | - Jed Boma-Iyaye
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Neurodegeneration Program, Dept. of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics, OK, USA
| | - Zoltan Ungvari
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Neurodegeneration Program, Dept. of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA; International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral College, Health Sciences Program/Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Department of Health Promotion Sciences, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Anna Csiszar
- Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Neurodegeneration Program, Dept. of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Andriy Yabluchanskiy
- 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; Department of Health Promotion Sciences, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Francesco Moccia
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences "V. Tiberio", University of Molise, Campobasso 86100, Italy
| | - Stefano Tarantini
- 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; International Training Program in Geroscience, Doctoral College, Health Sciences Program/Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary; Department of Health Promotion Sciences, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
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Liu Y, Lyons CJ, Ayu C, O'Brien T. Recent advances in endothelial colony-forming cells: from the transcriptomic perspective. J Transl Med 2024; 22:313. [PMID: 38532420 PMCID: PMC10967123 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05108-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) are progenitors of endothelial cells with significant proliferative and angiogenic ability. ECFCs are a promising treatment option for various diseases, such as ischemic heart disease and peripheral artery disease. However, some barriers hinder the clinical application of ECFC therapeutics. One of the current obstacles is that ECFCs are dysfunctional due to the underlying disease states. ECFCs exhibit dysfunctional phenotypes in pathologic states, which include but are not limited to the following: premature neonates and pregnancy-related diseases, diabetes mellitus, cancers, haematological system diseases, hypoxia, pulmonary arterial hypertension, coronary artery diseases, and other vascular diseases. Besides, ECFCs are heterogeneous among donors, tissue sources, and within cell subpopulations. Therefore, it is important to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of ECFC dysfunction and characterize their heterogeneity to enable clinical application. In this review, we summarize the current and potential application of transcriptomic analysis in the field of ECFC biology. Transcriptomic analysis is a powerful tool for exploring the key molecules and pathways involved in health and disease and can be used to characterize ECFC heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqiong Liu
- Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI), Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Caomhán J Lyons
- Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI), Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Christine Ayu
- Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI), Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Timothy O'Brien
- Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI), Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland.
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