title: Enhancing endothelial progenitor cell for clinical use.
abstract: Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have been demonstrated to correlate negatively with vascular endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular risk factors. However, translation of basic research into the clinical practice has been limited by the lack of unambiguous and consistent definitions of EPCs and reduced EPC cell number and function in subjects requiring them for clinical use. This article critically reviews the definition of EPCs based on commonly used protocols, their value as a biomarker of cardiovascular risk factor in subjects with cardiovascular disease, and strategies to enhance EPCs for treatment of ischemic diseases.
authors.affiliation: Lei Ye, National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore 169609, Singapore.
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.affiliation: Lei Ye, National Heart Research Institute Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, Singapore 169609, Singapore.
authors.forename: Kian-Keong
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Poh
keywords: CD34; Cell therapy; Clinical trials; Endothelial progenitor cells; Enhancing function and number