Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Isolation of Endothelial Progenitor Cells from Healthy Volunteers and Their Migratory Potential Influenced by Serum Samples After Cardiac Surgery
08:43

Isolation of Endothelial Progenitor Cells from Healthy Volunteers and Their Migratory Potential Influenced by Serum Samples After Cardiac Surgery

Published on: February 14, 2017

Progenitor cell trafficking in the vascular wall

M Hristov1, C Weber

  • 1Institute for Molecular Cardiovascular Research (IMCAR), RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.

Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis : JTH
|July 28, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Adult vascular progenitor cells are crucial in atherosclerosis development and complications. Their recruitment to the arterial wall is a key factor in arterial remodeling and plaque stability.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Stem Cell Research
  • Pathophysiology

Background:

  • Adult vascular progenitor cells, including endothelial and smooth muscle progenitor cells, play a role in atherosclerosis.
  • These cells originate from bone marrow and peripheral blood, similar to embryonic stem cell progeny.
  • Their involvement spans plaque development, progression, and secondary complications like ischemia and transplant arteriosclerosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of adult vascular progenitor cell recruitment in arterial remodeling.
  • To understand the mechanisms regulating progenitor cell trafficking in the context of atherosclerosis.
  • To explore the impact of progenitor cells on plaque stability and angiogenesis.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature on vascular progenitor cell biology.
  • Analysis of studies focusing on cell mobilization and homing mechanisms.
  • Examination of the role of chemokines, adhesion molecules, and growth factors in progenitor cell trafficking.

Main Results:

  • Adult vascular progenitor cell recruitment is a fundamental aspect of arterial remodeling in atherosclerosis.
  • The mobilization and homing of these cells are complex processes.
  • Numerous molecular factors, including chemokines and growth factors, regulate progenitor cell trafficking to injured arteries.

Conclusions:

  • Adult vascular progenitor cells are integral to the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis.
  • Understanding progenitor cell recruitment offers novel insights into plaque stability and angiogenesis.
  • Targeting progenitor cell trafficking may represent a future therapeutic strategy for cardiovascular diseases.

More Related Videos

Directed Differentiation of Hemogenic Endothelial Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells04:23

Directed Differentiation of Hemogenic Endothelial Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: March 31, 2021

Immunomagnetic Isolation of the Vascular Wall-Resident CD34+ Stem Cells from Mice08:14

Immunomagnetic Isolation of the Vascular Wall-Resident CD34+ Stem Cells from Mice

Published on: December 22, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Mechanism of Angiogenesis01:10

Mechanism of Angiogenesis

Blood vessel formation starts early during embryonic development, around day 7. In the extraembryonic yolk sac, mesodermal precursor cells called hemangioblast proliferate and differentiate into angioblast. Angioblasts express vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 or VEGFR2, which binds VEGF-A, a proangiogenic factor, guiding blood vessel formation. VEGF signaling promotes angioblasts to form a blood island in the developing embryo. Angioblasts further differentiate, giving rise to...
Cell Migration01:09

Cell Migration

Cell migration, the process by which cells move from one location to another, is essential for the proper development and viability of organisms throughout their life. When cells are not able to migrate properly to their ordained locations, various disorders may occur. For example, disruption in cell migration causes chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.
Cell Migration01:19

Cell Migration

Cell migration is a process by which the cells move from one location to another, playing an essential role in embryological development, repair and regeneration, immune response, and metastasis. Cells migrate in response to chemical or mechanical signals generated by specific organs or tissues. The overall mechanism includes three steps - polarization, protrusion, and release. Polarization involves the formation of a distinct cell front and rear, which determines the direction of movement.
Development of Blood Vessels01:07

Development of Blood Vessels

The development of the vascular system in a fetus is a complex and intricate process that begins as early as 15 to 16 days post-conception. This process starts outside the embryo, specifically in the mesoderm of the yolk sac, chorion, and connecting stalk. Approximately two days later, the formation of blood vessels occurs within the embryo itself.
The initial formation of this system is facilitated by the small amount of yolk present in the ovum and yolk sac. Blood vessels originate from...
Hematopoiesis01:21

Hematopoiesis

The process of blood cell formation is called hematopoiesis. Hematopoiesis starts early during development, on the seventh day of embryogenesis. This phase of hematopoiesis is called the primitive wave, wherein the extraembryonic yolk sac allows the production of erythroid cells and endothelial cells from a common precursor called hemangioblast. The erythroid cells provide oxygen to support the growth of the rapidly dividing embryo. Hemangioblasts later develop into hematopoietic stem cells or...
Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia01:35

Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia

Invadosome is a broad category of cell surface structures with proteolytic activity that  degrades the extracellular matrix (ECM). Invadosomes are present in normal cell types, including macrophages, endothelial cells, and neurons, as well as tumor cells. Although the macrophage podosomes and tumor cell invadopodia are classified as invadosomes, they have different structures, molecular pathways, and functions. Podosomes are short structures that last for a few minutes. However, invadopodia can...