Abstract
Endothelial progenitor cells are a circulating, bone marrow-derived cell population that appears to participate in both vasculogenesis and vascular homeostasis. Questions persist regarding their functional characteristics, as well as the precise panel of cell surface markers that uniquely define this newly described progenitor cell population. We review experimental results obtained from both animal studies and recent clinical trials that suggest this cell type may have tremendous therapeutic potential for a wide range of human diseases.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antigens, Surface / analysis
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Bone Marrow Cells / physiology
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Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy*
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Cells, Cultured
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Disease Models, Animal
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Endothelial Cells / physiology*
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Endothelial Cells / transplantation
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Homeostasis / physiology
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Humans
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Ischemia / physiopathology
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Myocardial Infarction / physiopathology
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Myocardial Infarction / therapy
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Myocardial Ischemia / physiopathology
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Myocardial Ischemia / therapy
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Neovascularization, Pathologic / physiopathology
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Neovascularization, Pathologic / therapy
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Neovascularization, Physiologic / physiology*
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Stem Cell Transplantation
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Stem Cells / physiology*