【論文摘要】Endothelial Progenitor Cell in Endothelial Repair

Po-Hsun Huang

《海峽循環醫學雜誌》 1卷2S期 (2019/09) Pp. 156-156

https://doi.org/10.6907/SCJ.201909/SP_1(2).0129

摘要

The last decade has seen enormous interest in the field of regenerative biology, with particular emphasis on the use of isolated or purified stem and progenitor cells to restore structure and function to damaged organs. Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) were first discovered in 1997 by Dr. Asahara et al. who identified in the adult human peripheral blood a population of CD34 or kinase insert domain receptor (KDR)-positive cells and have been identified as a potential cell source that contributes to neovascularization via postnatal vasculogenesis. This notion challenged the previous concept that de novo formation of new blood vessels occurs only in the yolk sac mesoderm during embryonic development. It was soon recognized that EPCs derive from the bone marrow and can be mobilized into the peripheral circulation in response to many stimuli, including tissue ischemia and vascular damage, through the release of growth factors and cytokines. Additionally, it is known that the integrity and functional activity of the endothelial monolayer play an essential role in atherogenesis. Traditional view suggests that endothelium integrity is maintained by neighboring mature endothelial cells which migrate and proliferate to restore the injured endothelial cells. However, a series of clinical and basic studies have provided new evidence that circulating EPCs regenerate the injured endothelial monolayer. A better understanding of the relation between EPCs and atherosclerosis would provide additional insight into the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases and create novel therapeutic strategies. Through the lecture, we will illustrate the prognostic and therapeutic roles of EPC in cardiovascular disease, and further demonstrate several strategies to improve EPC functions before clinical implication efficiently.