Endothelial progenitor cells in regenerative medicine and cancer: a decade of research.
Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are a heterogeneous subpopulation of bone marrow mononuclear cells that have an enhanced potential for differentiation within the endothelial cell lineage. In response to ischemic injury, EPCs are mobilized from the bone marrow to the peripheral circulation and home to the sites of new vessel growth, where they become incorporated into the growing vasculature. Thus, EPCs can be therapeutically useful for treating ischemic injury or for delivering anti-cancer agents to tumors.
Roncalli
Jerome G
JG
Feinberg Cardiovascular Research Institute, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
Tongers
Jörn
J
Renault
Marie-Ange
MA
Losordo
Douglas W
DW
D000818:Animals; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D044968:Regenerative Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology