title: The involvement of endothelial progenitor cells in tumor angiogenesis.
abstract: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have been isolated from peripheral blood CD34, VEGFR-2, or AC 133 (CD133) antigen-positive cells, which may home to site of neovascularization and differentiate into endothelial cells in situ. Endothelial cells contribute to tumor angiogenesis, and can originate from sprouting or co-option of neighbouring pre-existing vessels. Emerging evidence indicate that bone marrow-derived circulating EPCs can contribute to tumor angiogenesis and growth of certain tumors. This review article will summarize the literature data concerning this new role played by EPCs in tumor angiogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Bari Medical School, Bari I-70124, Italy. ribatti@anatomia.uniba.it
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ribatti
mesh_terms: D000071916:AC133 Antigen; D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D018952:Antigens, CD34 / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D019070:Cell Lineage; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000473:pathology; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006412:Hematopoietic Stem Cells / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology*; D010455:Peptides / Q000378:metabolism; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000071916:AC133 Antigen; D015703:Antigens, CD; D018952:Antigens, CD34; D006023:Glycoproteins; C000606023:PROM1 protein, human; D010455:Peptides; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2