Skip to main content

Therapeutic potential of endothelial progenitor cells in cardiovascular diseases.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Dzau, VJ; Gnecchi, M; Pachori, AS; Morello, F; Melo, LG
Published in: Hypertension
July 2005

Endothelial dysfunction and cell loss are prominent features in cardiovascular disease. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) originating from the bone marrow play a significant role in neovascularization of ischemic tissues and in re-endothelialization of injured blood vessels. Several studies have shown the therapeutic potential of EPC transplantation in rescue of tissue ischemia and in repair of blood vessels and bioengineering of prosthetic grafts. Recent small-scale trials have provided preliminary evidence of feasibility, safety, and efficacy in patients with myocardial and critical limb ischemia. However, several studies have shown that age and cardiovascular disease risk factors reduce the availability of circulating EPCs (CEPCs) and impair their function to varying degrees. In addition, the relative scarcity of CEPCs limits the ability to expand these cells in sufficient numbers for some therapeutic applications. Priority must be given to the development of strategies to enhance the number and improve the function of CEPCs. Furthermore, alternative sources of EPC such as chord blood need to be explored. Strategies for improvement of cell adhesion, survival, and prevention of cell senescence are also essential to ensure therapeutic viability. Genetic engineering of EPCs may be a useful approach to developing these cells into efficient therapeutic tools. In the clinical arena there is pressing need to standardize the protocols for isolation, culture, and therapeutic application of EPC. Large-scale multi-center randomized trials are required to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of EPC therapy. Despite these hurdles, the outlook for EPC-based therapy for cardiovascular disease is promising.

Duke Scholars

Altmetric Attention Stats
Dimensions Citation Stats

Published In

Hypertension

DOI

EISSN

1524-4563

Publication Date

July 2005

Volume

46

Issue

1

Start / End Page

7 / 18

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Salvage Therapy
  • Humans
  • Genetic Engineering
  • Endothelial Cells
  • Cell Separation
  • Cardiovascular System & Hematology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases
  • Animals
  • Aging
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Dzau, V. J., Gnecchi, M., Pachori, A. S., Morello, F., & Melo, L. G. (2005). Therapeutic potential of endothelial progenitor cells in cardiovascular diseases. Hypertension, 46(1), 7–18. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.HYP.0000168923.92885.f7
Dzau, Victor J., Massimiliano Gnecchi, Alok S. Pachori, Fulvio Morello, and Luis G. Melo. “Therapeutic potential of endothelial progenitor cells in cardiovascular diseases.Hypertension 46, no. 1 (July 2005): 7–18. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.HYP.0000168923.92885.f7.
Dzau VJ, Gnecchi M, Pachori AS, Morello F, Melo LG. Therapeutic potential of endothelial progenitor cells in cardiovascular diseases. Hypertension. 2005 Jul;46(1):7–18.
Dzau, Victor J., et al. “Therapeutic potential of endothelial progenitor cells in cardiovascular diseases.Hypertension, vol. 46, no. 1, July 2005, pp. 7–18. Pubmed, doi:10.1161/01.HYP.0000168923.92885.f7.
Dzau VJ, Gnecchi M, Pachori AS, Morello F, Melo LG. Therapeutic potential of endothelial progenitor cells in cardiovascular diseases. Hypertension. 2005 Jul;46(1):7–18.

Published In

Hypertension

DOI

EISSN

1524-4563

Publication Date

July 2005

Volume

46

Issue

1

Start / End Page

7 / 18

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Salvage Therapy
  • Humans
  • Genetic Engineering
  • Endothelial Cells
  • Cell Separation
  • Cardiovascular System & Hematology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases
  • Animals
  • Aging