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Endothelial progenitor cells: precursors for angiogenesis.
Rohit Khurana1, Michael Simons
1Section of Cardiology and Angiogenesis Research Center, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, NH, USA.
Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
|September 16, 2003
Summary
Endothelial progenitor cells offer potential for therapeutic angiogenesis in ischemic diseases. Further research is needed to define their role and mechanisms for clinical application.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Cellular Therapeutics
Background:
- Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are found in adult bone marrow and circulation.
- EPCs show potential for inducing therapeutic angiogenesis in animal models of ischemic arterial disease.
- Early human trials are exploring the safety and feasibility of EPC-based therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of EPCs in neovascularization.
- To identify key biological questions regarding EPC function and mobilization.
- To guide future research for optimizing EPC therapeutic potential.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of basic science and clinical studies on EPCs.
- Analysis of data on EPC contribution to physiological and pathological neovascularization.
- Examination of molecular mechanisms of EPC mobilization and homing.
Main Results:
- The precise role of EPCs in postnatal neovascularization remains unclear.
- The molecular phenotype of EPCs requires further definition.
- Mechanisms for EPC mobilization from bone marrow and homing to angiogenic sites are not fully elucidated.
Conclusions:
- Fundamental biological questions about EPCs must be addressed.
- Further basic research is essential before widespread clinical application of EPCs.
- Optimizing EPC therapy requires a deeper understanding of their biology.