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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

Endothelial progenitor cells and thrombosis

Eugenia Rosa Nuzzolo1, Maria Grazia Iachininoto, Luciana Teofili

  • 1Department of Hematology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.

Thrombosis Research
|January 13, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Endothelial progenitor cells circulate in blood and aid in new vessel formation. This review covers methods to count these cells and their role in cardiovascular diseases and specific conditions like pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Biology and Regenerative Medicine
  • Hematology and Oncology

Background:

  • Vessel formation (angiogenesis and vasculogenesis) is crucial throughout life, not just during embryonic development.
  • Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were discovered in peripheral blood in 1997, demonstrating their role in promoting vasculogenesis at ischemic sites.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review methods for enumerating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs).
  • To explore the involvement of EPCs in hemostatic pathways.
  • To describe altered EPC trafficking in cardiovascular diseases and other conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review summarizing various techniques for EPC enumeration.
  • Analysis of studies detailing EPC function in hemostasis.
  • Examination of research on EPC behavior in disease states.

Main Results:

  • Diverse methods exist for quantifying circulating EPCs, each with specific applications.
  • EPCs play a role in hemostatic processes.
  • EPCs exhibit altered trafficking patterns in cardiovascular diseases and are implicated in pulmonary arterial hypertension and Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms.

Conclusions:

  • Endothelial progenitor cells are vital for vascular repair and maintenance.
  • Understanding EPC enumeration and function is critical for diagnosing and treating vascular and hematological disorders.
  • Further research into EPCs may reveal new therapeutic strategies for conditions like cardiovascular disease and specific cancers.

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