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Updated: Jun 26, 2026
Isolation of Endothelial Progenitor Cells from Human Umbilical Cord Blood
Published on: September 14, 2017
Endothelial progenitor cell therapy in atherosclerosis: a double-edged sword?
Pengxia Liu1, Bin Zhou, Dongsheng Gu
1State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, National Engineering Research Center of Cell Products, Tianjin, PR China.
Insights
Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are crucial for repairing blood vessels damaged by atherosclerosis. This review explores how mobilizing and transfusing EPCs may treat atherosclerosis, examining mechanisms and risks.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Regenerative Medicine
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is a prevalent inflammatory arterial disease.
- Thrombo-occlusive events like stroke and myocardial infarction are leading causes of death.
- Endothelial dysfunction and cell loss are key features of atherosclerosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in atherosclerosis.
- To update on EPC mobilization and transfusion therapies for atherosclerosis.
- To discuss potential mechanisms, risks, and benefits of EPC-based treatments.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current research on EPCs and atherosclerosis.
- Analysis of studies on EPC mobilization and transfusion.
- Evaluation of proposed mechanisms of EPC action in vascular repair.
Main Results:
- EPCs play a significant role in reendothelialization of injured arteries.
- EPC mobilization and transfusion show therapeutic potential for atherosclerosis.
- Understanding EPC function is key to developing cell-based therapies.
Conclusions:
- EPCs are vital for vascular repair in atherosclerosis.
- EPC-based therapies offer a promising avenue for treating atherosclerosis.
- Further research is needed to optimize safety and efficacy of EPC therapies.
Abstract:
Atherosclerosis, an inflammatory process that selectively affects arteries, is highly prevalent in human. Thrombo-occlusive complications of atherosclerosis, including stroke and myocardial infarction, are becoming major causes of morbidity and mortality in the industrialized world. Atherosclerosis develops in response to local endothelial injuries. Endothelial dysfunction and cell loss are prominent features in atherosclerosis. Restoring the endothelial lining to normal is critical for slowing or reversing the progression of atherosclerosis. Increasing data suggest that endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a significant role in reendothelialization of the injured blood vessels. This review focuses on the effects of EPC mobilization and transfusion in the condition of atherosclerosis. The aim of the review is to provide an update on the progress in this research field, highlight the role of EPCs in atherosclerosis and discuss the possible mechanisms and potential risks of progenitor cell-based therapy in atherosclerosis.
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