title: Promise of endothelial progenitor cell for treatment of diabetic retinopathy.
abstract: Progressive obliteration of the retinal microvessels is a characteristic of diabetic retinopathy. The resultant retinal ischemia leads to sight-threatening neovascularization and macular edema. Bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells play a critical role in vascular maintenance and repair and forms the basis of cellular therapy for revascularization of ischemic myocardium and ischemic limbs. Emerging studies show potential of these cells in revascularization of ischemic retina and this review summarizes this possibility. We also report current pharmacological options to correct diabetes-associated defects in endothelial progenitor cells for their therapeutic transfer.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Florida, 1600 SW Archer Road Gainesville, FL 32610-0267, USA Tel.: + 1 352 392 9006 ashay@ufl.edu.
authors.forename: Ashay D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Bhatwadekar
authors.forename: Lynn C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: Maria B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Grant
keywords: diabetic retinopathy; endothelial nitric oxide synthase; endothelial progenitor cell