Endothelial progenitor cells as a therapeutic option in peripheral arterial disease.
BACKGROUND
Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) are a subpopulation of bone-marrow mononuclear cells that are capable of generating new blood vessels in areas of ischaemia or infarction. This review examines the regenerative potential of EPC to ameliorate peripheral ischaemia.


METHODS
An online search was done using OVID Medline Search, PubMed, and Cochrane Review Database, for all reviews and original articles in English concerning progenitor or bone-marrow mononuclear cells.


CONCLUSIONS
There are many controversies in EPC research, especially in the areas of identification, characterization, and therapeutic use. Both animal and human studies have shown benefits from using EPC to combat peripheral arterial and cerebrovascular disease. To bring EPC into wider clinical use, larger controlled clinical trials and better methods of augmenting EPC function and lifespan are required. Until then EPC should be used under robust trial conditions with ethical approval.
Devanesan
A J
AJ
Leeds Vascular Institute, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.
Laughlan
K A
KA
Girn
H R S
HR
Homer-Vanniasinkam
S
S
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation*; D005121:Extremities / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012307:Risk Factors; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015415:Biomarkers