Endothelial progenitor cells and their potential therapeutic applications
Cheen P Khoo1, Paolo Pozzilli, Malcolm R Alison
1ICMS, Centre for Diabetes & Metabolic Medicine (DMM), Barts & The London School of Medicine & Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, 4 Newark Street, London E12AT, UK. c.p.khoo@qmul.ac.uk
Regenerative Medicine
|October 25, 2008
Summary
Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), found in bone marrow and peripheral blood, aid tissue repair through new blood vessel formation. Their numbers in circulation hold prognostic value for conditions like heart disease and cancer.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Vascular Biology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) originate from bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB).
- EPCs contribute to neovascularization, the formation of new blood vessels, essential for tissue repair.
- These cells are mobilized into circulation by growth factors and cytokines in response to injury, wounding, or cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the role of EPCs in various pathological conditions.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of EPCs in disease treatment.
- To highlight the prognostic significance of peripheral blood EPC counts.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on EPCs.
- Analysis of EPC contribution to neovascularization in adult diseases.
- Examination of EPC mobilization and function.
Main Results:
- EPCs are crucial for neovascularization in adult pathological states.
- Circulating EPCs are present in very low numbers (0.01% of blood cells).
- EPC numbers in PB have prognostic value, particularly in cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Conclusions:
- EPCs play a significant role in tissue repair and disease outcomes.
- Therapeutic applications of EPCs are promising for various diseases.
- Monitoring PB EPC levels can provide valuable prognostic information for patients.
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