The detrimental qualitative and quantitative alterations of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in patients with bronchiectasis.

Abstract Background Bronchiectasis is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease（CVD）and cardiac dysfunction. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a crucial role in maintaining endothelial function, and is inversely correlated with cardiovascular risk factors or cardiac dysfunction. However, the relationship between EPCs and bronchiectasis is unknown. Methods Twenty-nine patients with stable bronchiectasis and 15 healthy controls were recruited. Fasting venous blood were collected for determining circulating EPC number and activity as well as systemic inflammatory cytokines. Results The number and migratory or proliferative activity of circulating EPCs in bronchiectasis patients were significantly reduced (p  Conclusions Deficiencies in the number and function of circulating EPCs are present in patients with bronchiectasis. The changes are related to disease severity and may be partly attributed to systemic inflammation. The current findings may provide novel surrogate evaluation biomarkers and potential therapeutic target for bronchiectasis.