University of Padova, Department of Histology, Microbiology and Medical Biotechnologies, Centre for Male Gamete Cryopreservation, Padova, Italy.
Expert Rev Mol Diagn. 2010 Jan;10(1):89-105. doi: 10.1586/erm.09.80.
The exact origin and functional definition of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) remains rather controversial, but many authors agree that the main feature of EPCs is the ability to directly participate in vessel growth by differentiation into endothelial cells in vivo. The majority of these cells originate from the hematopoietic stem cells of the bone marrow and, under specific signals, differentiate and shift into the systemic circulation, contributing to the neoangiogenic process and repair of the damaged endothelial monolayer. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the number and function of EPCs is positively linked with an improved endothelial function or regeneration but inversely correlated with cardiovascular risk factors: a reduced number of EPCs is an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular diseases and of atherosclerotic disease progression. Owing to their role in endogenous maintenance and repair of damaged endothelium, EPCs have been examined for therapeutic potential in ischemic diseases and there are evidence-based perspectives regarding their use for vascular regenerative medicine.
内皮祖细胞（EPCs）的确切起源和功能定义仍然存在争议，但许多作者都认为，EPCs 的主要特征是能够通过分化为体内的内皮细胞直接参与血管生长。这些细胞大多数来源于骨髓中的造血干细胞，并在特定信号的作用下分化并转移到全身循环中，有助于新血管生成过程和受损内皮单层的修复。最近，已经证明 EPCs 的数量和功能与改善的内皮功能或再生呈正相关，但与心血管危险因素呈负相关：EPCs 的数量减少是心血管疾病发病率和死亡率以及动脉粥样硬化疾病进展的独立预测因子。由于它们在受损内皮的内源性维持和修复中的作用，EPCs 已被检查用于缺血性疾病的治疗潜力，并且有基于证据的观点认为它们可用于血管再生医学。
