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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Isolation and Culture Expansion of Tumor-specific Endothelial Cells

Isolation and Culture Expansion of Tumor-specific Endothelial Cells

Published on: October 14, 2015

EPCs and pathological angiogenesis: when good cells go bad.

Sergio Li Calzi¹, Matthew B Neu, Lynn C Shaw

¹Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.

Microvascular Research

|March 2, 2010

Summary

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are crucial for new blood vessel formation in both normal and diseased states. Understanding EPCs offers potential therapeutic targets for conditions like cancer and eye diseases.

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Last Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Isolation and Culture Expansion of Tumor-specific Endothelial Cells

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Published on: October 14, 2015

Monitoring Functionality and Morphology of Vasculature Recruited by Factors Secreted by Fast-growing Tumor-generating Cells

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Published on: November 23, 2014

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Published on: June 30, 2023

Area of Science:

Cardiovascular Biology
Cell Biology
Regenerative Medicine

Background:

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are bone-marrow-derived cells that play a significant role in angiogenesis.
Initially identified as CD34(+) VEGFR2(+) mononuclear cells, EPCs differentiate into endothelial cells and integrate into new blood vessels.
EPCs contribute to neovascularization through both instructive (cytokine release) and structural (vessel incorporation) mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the contribution of EPCs to neovascularization in physiological and pathological conditions.
To discuss the challenges in EPC characterization and the interaction between different EPC populations in pathological angiogenesis.
To explore the therapeutic potential of targeting EPCs for diseases characterized by pathological neovascularization.

Main Methods:

Review of existing literature on endothelial progenitor cells and angiogenesis.
Analysis of the dual role of EPCs in initiating and stabilizing neovessels.
Evaluation of strategies to modulate EPC activity in disease contexts.

Main Results:

EPCs are vital for initiating the "angiogenic switch" in pathological neovascularization.
Lack of consensus on EPC characterization hinders research progress.
EPCs offer potential as prognostic and predictive biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Conclusions:

EPCs are key players in pathological angiogenesis, contributing to diseases like cancer and wet age-related macular degeneration.
Targeting EPCs presents a promising strategy for managing diseases associated with aberrant blood vessel formation.
Further research into EPC characterization and function is essential for clinical translation.