Endothelial progenitor cells: functions and clinical application in cardiac and vascular diseases

Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) derived from bone marrow are capable of endocrine,reendothelialization of injured blood vessels and neovascularization of ischemic lesions;besides,they also play a major role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.However,the number and functions of circulating EPCs are greatly declined in patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases.Functions of EPCs are associated with not only...