Endothelial progenitor cells - hype or hope?

摘要: Summary.  The discovery of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) radically altered our views adult tissue angiogenesis, indicating the contribution circulating bone marrow-derived to new blood vessel formation, rather than migration and replication local cells. This opened up prospect ways repair damaged tissues, using EPC encourage neoangiogenesis or re-endothelialization larger vessels. Within less 5 years from description inception experimental studies, human studies were started with aim autologous enhance function after ischemic vascular injury, particularly myocardial infarction (MI). However, clinical have shown at best modestly encouraging results. Moreover, subsequent investigation has made it clear that these are not true progenitors, although they likely play a role in angiogenesis by virtue release paracrine angiogenic factors. review summarizes knowledge current understanding their function, together what is known properties genuine how will be used future design more effective means therapeutic angiogenesis.