Endothelial Progenitor Cell Dynamics in Cardiovascular Health
Summary
Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) constitute a circulating reservoir of precursor cells that home to sites of vascular injury and contribute to endothelial repair and neovascularisation. Their mobilisation from the bone marrow and subsequent differentiation into mature endothelial cells are governed by a complex interplay of chemokines, growth factors and shear forces. Subpopulations such as endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) exhibit robust proliferative and vasculogenic capacity, whereas other progenitors exert paracrine effects via cytokine secretion. Ageing, metabolic disease and chronic inflammation impair EPC number and function, exacerbating cardiovascular risk. Conversely, therapeutic strategies that enhance EPC mobilisation or bolster their regenerative phenotype—whether by pharmacological agents, gene modification or co-administration with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)—hold promise for treating ischaemic heart disease, peripheral artery disease and other vascular disorders. Advances in single-cell profiling and refined nomenclature are unravelling the heterogeneity of EPC subsets, paving the way for precision cell therapies and biomarker development on a global scale.
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Endothelial Progenitor Cell Dynamics in Cardiovascular Health publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in endothelial progenitor cell dynamics in cardiovascular health across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Endothelial progenitor cell (EPC): A circulating precursor capable of differentiating into endothelial cells and contributing to vascular repair.
Endothelial colony-forming cell (ECFC): A highly proliferative EPC subset that forms vascular networks and exhibits true endothelial phenotype.
Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC): A multipotent stromal cell that supports angiogenesis by paracrine signalling and immunomodulation.
Vascular endothelial stem cell (VESC): A tissue-resident endothelial stem cell with long-term repopulating ability and clonal expansion potential.
Critical limb-threatening ischaemia (CLTI): A severe form of peripheral arterial disease characterised by chronic inadequate blood supply to the limbs.
References
- Unraveling the differential mechanisms of revascularization promoted by MSCs & ECFCs from adipose tissue or umbilical cord in a murine model of critical limb-threatening ischemia. Journal of Biomedical Science (2024).
- Aging impairs the ability of vascular endothelial stem cells to generate endothelial cells in mice. Angiogenesis (2023).
- Endothelial Progenitors: A Consensus Statement on Nomenclature. Stem Cells Translational Medicine (2017).
- Insights into Endothelial Progenitor Cells: Origin, Classification, Potentials, and Prospects. Stem Cells International (2018).
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