Summary
Adult bone marrow and peripheral blood contain sub-populations of vascular precursor
cells, which can differentiate into mature endothelial cells and have therefore been
commonly termed endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). Although EPCs encompass rather
heterogeneous cell sub-populations of multiple origins and localization, these cells
were basically characterized by expression of progenitor markers and by the development
of colony-forming units and late endothelial outgrowth with terminal differentiation
into mature endothelial cells. Notably, functional studies in vivo have implied the
contribution of EPCs to therapeutic reendothelialization and inhibition of neointimal
growth following endothelial injury. In the context of this regenerative arterial
remodeling, an adequate homing of EPCs plays a central role. This multi-step process
of EPC mobilization, recruitment and firm adhesion is regulated by key angiogenic
chemokines (CCL2, CXCL1, CXCL7, CXCL12) and their respective receptors (CCR2, CXCR2,
CXCR4). Furthermore, the recruitment of circulating EPCs to sites of arterial injury
is synchronized by activated platelets and adhesion molecules of the selectin and
integrin family. Thus, translating this molecular knowledge to interventional cardiovascular
medicine,such a detailed understanding in the complex regulation of EPC homing may
be helpful for more effectively preventing “in-stent” stenosis by facilitating stent
endothelialization.
Keywords
Adhesion molecules - atherosclerosis - endothelial cells