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Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are under investigation due to their association with vascular injury. In response to chemotactic stimuli they are mobilized from bone-marrow and nonbone marrow sites, they migrate, adhere and home to the injured vessel. Numerous molecular and cellular pathways participate and converge to the EPCs mediated vascular repair. However, the exact phenotypic properties, modes of functions and effects in vascular diseases and particularly in atherosclerosis are under investigation. EPCs represent a heterogeneous group of cells in different stages of differentiation, from hematopoietic bone marrow progenitors to mature endothelial cells that participate in adult vascular repair under ischemic or apoptotic stimuli. This review aims to provide an integrative view of EPC-mediated vascular repair.

Original publication

DOI

10.1111/j.1755-5922.2009.00131.x

Type

Journal article

Journal

Cardiovasc Ther

Publication Date

04/2011

Volume

29

Pages

125 - 139

Keywords

Atherosclerosis, Endothelial progenitors, Neoangiogenesis, Animals, Arteries, Cell Adhesion, Cell Movement, Chemokine CXCL12, Endothelial Progenitor Cells, Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization, Humans, Neovascularization, Physiologic, Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III, Plaque, Atherosclerotic, Receptors, CXCR4, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A, Vascular System Injuries