title: Endothelial progenitor cell research in stroke: a potential shift in pathophysiological and therapeutical concepts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the Western world; however, few therapies are at hand to decrease this burden.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have been introduced in cardiovascular medicine as factotums. EPCs can repair damaged endothelium and attenuate the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Also, EPCs can form new vessels in ischemic areas and thus promote recovery after ischemic events. In stroke, however, EPC research is limited. In our overview, we provide background information on EPC use as a risk marker and as a potential therapeutic agent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our opinion, the lack of EPC studies in stroke should instigate vascular neurologists to participate in EPC research, as EPCs could also change pathophysiological concepts and improve clinical treatments in vascular neurology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University Hospital Maastricht, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands. R.Rouhl@neurologie.azm.nl
authors.forename: Rob P W
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Rouhl
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: van Oostenbrugge
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Damoiseaux
authors.forename: Jan-Willem Cohen
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Tervaert
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lodder
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis; D002309:Cardiology / Q000379:methods; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis; D008954:Models, Biological; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D009462:Neurology / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*