Endothelial Progenitor Cells as Molecular Targets in Vascular Senescence and Repair

Abstract

Endothelial progenitor cells are circulating blood cells derived from various sources like bone marrow, spleen, umbilical cord, liver, kidney and other sources that play a vital role in the regeneration of the endothelial lining of blood vessels and wound repair. There are two types of EPCs, early EPCs and late EPCs. EPCs are believed to originate from hematopoietic stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells. The mobilization of progenitor cells from bone marrow to the peripheral circulation is highly regulated under both normal physiological conditions and stress. EPCs contribute to neovascularization and tissue repair in the musculoskeletal, neural tissues and the bone which are mobilized and recruited to the injured tissue. Cell-based therapies of endothelial progenitor cells are time-consuming and expensive for performing in-vitro cell expansion procedures. New therapeutic approaches are being developed using animal models based on the specific functions of EPC in and experiments which have revealed the importance of various signalling pathways. It has been clear that the activation state of EPCs is critical to the vessel repair process and the role has not been completely understood.

Flexible electrical stimulation device with Chitosan-Vaseline® dressing accelerates wound healing in diabetes

“…Persistent hyperglycemia results in physiologic dysfunction at all stages of the wound-healing process largely attributed to the overproduction of reactive oxygen species. Likewise, it is widely appreciated that deranged angiogenesis, insufficient recruitment of circulating EPCs, and dysfunctional endothelial cells (ECs) migration and proliferation all serve to impair tissue repair in diabetic patients [ 56 ]. A full network of capillary blood vessels is critical for the delivery of oxygen, nutrients, and growth factors that are required for effective wound healing [ 57 ].…”

“…Mature ECs can proliferate and migrate to promote repair at sites of tissue damage [ 56 ]. Enhanced proliferative and migratory capacities of ECs will promote the ability to repair damaged blood vessels.…”

“…EPCs are mobilized by the actions of VEGF and are retained on the vascular surface by binding to adhesion molecules [ 72 ]. Once attached to the surface of injured ECs, EPCs undergo differentiation into ECs [ 56 ]. In addition to angiogenesis, activation of Akt and ERK phosphorylation also enhances the proliferative and migratory capacity of ECs in studies carried out in vitro .…”

Rhynchophylline Attenuates Senescence of Endothelial Progenitor Cells by Enhancing Autophagy

“…EPCs are not only derived from bone marrow, but also from spleen, vascular outer membrane, and even some endothelial cells themselves, moreover, they have different tendency to differentiate and repair tissues (Kamei et al, 2017;Rana et al, 2018). Even so, bone marrow-derived EPCs are still the main source of EPCs in the peripheral circulation.…”

Effect of Endothelial Progenitor Cells Transplantation on Neointimal Hyperplasia and Reendothelialization after Balloon Catheter Injury in Rat Carotid Arteries

“…EPCs capturing biomolecules were immobilized onto metal-based biomaterial surfaces to accelerate reendothelialization [9]. Some researchers suggested that circulating EPCs can not only accelerate reendothelialization by paracrine but also differentiate into mature VECs [10]. Others claimed that EPCs never differentiate into mature VECs to cover the area of injury.…”