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Endothelial Progenitor Cells’ Classification and Application in Neurological Diseases

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Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Aims and scope

Abstract

The therapeutic effects of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) on ischemic stroke have been extensively studied in recent years. However, the differences in early EPCs and endothelial outgrowth cells (EOCs) are still unclear. Clarifications of their respective properties and specific functioning characteristics contribute to better applications of EPCs in ischemic diseases. In this review, we discuss cellular origin, isolation, culture, surface markers of early EPCs and EOCs and relevant applications in neurological diseases. We conclude that EOCs possess all characteristics of true endothelial progenitors and have potent advantages in EPC-based therapies for ischemic diseases. A number of preclinical and clinical applications of EPCs in neurological diseases are under study. More studies are needed to determine the specific characteristics of EPCs and the relevant mechanisms of EPCs for neurological diseases.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by a grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 81401091 to Dr. Rui Zhang) and a grant from the Health Department of Henan Province (Grant No. 201403058 to Dr. Rui Zhang).

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    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, 1 Jian-she East Road, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China

      Jing-jing Yuan, Jing Yang, Shi-lei Sun, Rui Zhang & Yu-ming Xu

    2. Institute of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450000, Henan, China

      Jing-jing Yuan

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    1. Jing-jing Yuan
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    Correspondence to Rui Zhang or Yu-ming Xu.

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    All descriptions were based on previous published studies, thus no ethical approval and patient consent are required.

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    Jing-jing Yuan and Jing Yang have contributed equally to this work.

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    Yuan, Jj., Yang, J., Sun, Sl. et al. Endothelial Progenitor Cells’ Classification and Application in Neurological Diseases. Tissue Eng Regen Med 14, 327–332 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13770-017-0043-4

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    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13770-017-0043-4

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