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Isolation of Endothelial Progenitor Cells from Human Umbilical Cord Blood
Published on: September 14, 2017
Endothelial Progenitor Cells as Prognostic Markers of Preterm Birth-Associated Complications
Mariane Bertagnolli1, Anne Monique Nuyt1, Bernard Thébaud2
1Department of Pediatrics, Sainte-Justine University Hospital Research Center, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Insights
Preterm infants have similar or more endothelial progenitor cells, but these cells are more vulnerable. Reduced endothelial progenitor cells are linked to bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants.
Area of Science:
- Vascular biology
- Neonatal medicine
- Stem cell research
Background:
- Preterm birth is linked to vascular abnormalities, leading to neonatal and adult diseases.
- Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are implicated in vascular complications of prematurity.
- Existing knowledge on EPCs in preterm infants requires synthesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize data on EPC characteristics in preterm infants.
- To investigate the role of EPCs in vascular complications associated with preterm birth.
- To identify potential biomarkers for vascular diseases in preterm-born individuals.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of published literature.
- Analysis of studies examining EPCs in relation to preterm birth in humans.
- Comparison of EPC counts and function between preterm infants and term controls.
Main Results:
- Preterm infants showed similar or increased circulating/cord blood EPC counts compared to term controls.
- EPCs from preterm infants exhibited increased vulnerability to exogenous factors like oxidative stress.
- A decreased number of EPCs, especially endothelial colony-forming cells, was associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
Conclusions:
- EPCs in preterm infants display altered characteristics, including increased vulnerability.
- Reduced EPCs, particularly endothelial colony-forming cells, correlate with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.
- Further research on EPCs beyond the neonatal period is needed for comprehensive understanding and therapeutic development.
Abstract:
Preterm birth is associated with alteration of the vascular tree that can result in disease states such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia and retinopathy of prematurity during the neonatal period and emphysema and hypertension in adulthood. Studies have suggested a potential role for endothelial progenitor cells in the pathophysiology of prematurity-related complications involving blood vessels; however, this knowledge has never been synthesized. We conducted a systematic review of the published data to examine the characteristics of endothelial progenitor cells in relation to preterm birth in humans. Preterm infants compared with term controls displayed similar or increased circulating/cord blood endothelial progenitor cell counts. However, the preterm endothelial progenitor cells were more vulnerable to exogenous factors such as oxidative stress. A reduced number, in particular of endothelial colony-forming cells, was associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. No studies have examined endothelial progenitor cells beyond the neonatal period. These findings could prove useful in the identification of biomarkers for prognostication or therapeutic strategies for vascular-related diseases in preterm-born individuals. Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2017;6:7-13.
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