“…If EPC-1 contributes similarly to barrier function at this interface but declines with increasing age, this suggests that there would be an increase in vascular dysplasias and an increase in diseases that result from abnormal blood vessel growth. In fact, it is well documented that vascular dysplasias, such as senile angiomata, cherry angiomatas, de Morgan spots, angiokeratomas, purpura, palor, venous lake formation, and telangiectasias, are observed in virtually all individuals over the age of 70 (Ryan, 1969;Montagna and Carlisle, 1979;Balin and Lin, 1989;Tsuchida, 1993). Despite these numerous cutaneous disorders in the elderly, however, it is generally accepted that angiogenesis is delayed or impaired during aging (Yamaura and Matsuzawa, 1980;Pili et al, 1994;Sadoun and Reed, 2003).…”