Circulating endothelial cells

https://longcovidatlas.org/glossary/circulating-endothelial-cells

In plain language

What it is

Vessel-lining cells that have broken off and are floating in the blood, where they can be counted.

Why it matters

Higher counts signal ongoing vessel damage and have been linked to persistent fatigue after COVID.

Think of it like

Paint flaking off a wall: finding flakes on the floor tells you the wall is failing.

For specialists

Formal definition

Mature endothelial cells shed into circulation, quantified as a biomarker of endothelial injury.

Sources

Circulating endothelial cells as a biomarker of persistent fatigue (Smadja, Angiogenesis 2024) free full text ›