Vascular Regeneration by Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Health and Diseases

Abstract

Human endothelial progenitor cells (hEPCs) are adult stem cells, located in the bone marrow and peripheral blood. These cells can be differentiated into mature endothelial cells, which are involved in processes of angiogenesis and vessel regeneration. Different phenotypes and subtypes of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), such as early and late EPCs, have been described according to their functionality. Thus, it has been shown that early EPCs release cytokines that promote tissue regeneration and neovasculogenesis, whereas late EPC and endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) contribute to the formation of blood vessels and stimulate tube formation. It has been demonstrated that the number of circulating hEPC is decreased in individuals with hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and/or diabetes. In addition, the number and the migratory activity of these cells are inversely correlated with risk factors such as hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. On the other hand, the number of circulating hEPC is increased in hypoxia or acute myocardial infarction (AMI). hEPCs have been used for cell-based therapies due to their capacity to contribute in the reendothelialization of injured blood vessels and neovascularization in ischemic tissues. This chapter provides an overview of the key role of hEPC in promoting angiogenesis and their potential use for cell therapy.

The Role of Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Coronary Artery Disease: Basic Molecular Mechanisms and Its Clinical Potentials

“…(8) In principle, the mechanisms of EPCs in neovascularization involve mobilization, homing, and differentiation into endothelial cells. (11,(14)(15)(16) During ischemia or vascular injury, VEGF and stromal cellderived factor 1 (SDF-1) are upregulated and released in circulation. These substances activate endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) to produce nitric oxide (NO), followed by activation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9).…”

Rabbit Endothelial Progenitor Cells Derived From Peripheral Blood and Bone Marrow: An Ultrastructural Comparative Study

“…Although they share some endothelial phenotypes, they possess different morphologies, proliferation rates, and survival features along with different gene expression profiles (Balbarini & Di Stefano, 2008). It has been also shown that early EPCs release cytokines promoting tissue regeneration and neovasculogenesis, whereas late EPCs contribute to the formation of blood vessels and stimulate tube formation (Nova-Lamperti et al, 2016).…”

Role of β-Adrenergic Receptors and Estrogen in Cardiac Repair after Myocardial Infarction: An Overview

“…E2, estradiol; EPCs, endothelial progenitor cells; ECs, endothelial cells; NO, nitric oxide; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor; c-kit, type III receptor tyrosine kinase; ERα, estrogen receptor α. This cartoon was inspired by Nova-Lamperti et al, 2016[74].…”