Vascular wall resident progenitor cells: a review

Area of Science:

• Vascular Biology
• Stem Cell Biology
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Traditionally, the vessel wall was considered inactive, but recent discoveries reveal progenitor cells within the vasculature.
• The presence of circulating endothelial and smooth muscle progenitors that can migrate to injured sites is established.
• Emerging evidence suggests stem cells reside within the arterial wall, capable of differentiating into vascular cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of adult large vessel progenitors residing in the vascular wall.
• To explore their origin during embryogenesis and function in maintaining vascular homeostasis.
• To highlight the implications of progenitor cell dysfunction in vascular disease.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on vascular progenitor cells.
• Analysis of research on embryogenesis and postnatal development of vascular stem cells.
• Synthesis of findings on the interplay between circulating and resident vascular progenitors.

Main Results:

• Adult arteries harbor a vasculogenic zone, a niche for postnatal vasculogenesis.
• A complex interaction exists between circulating and resident vascular wall progenitors throughout life.
• Dysfunction in these stem cell compartments can impair vascular repair and lead to disease.

Conclusions:

• Vascular progenitor cells within the arterial wall are crucial for maintaining vascular homeostasis.
• Understanding these progenitors is key to addressing vascular wall diseases.
• Further research into the interplay of vascular stem cells may offer therapeutic avenues.