Characterization of Endothelial Progenitor Cell: Past, Present, and Future

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are currently being studied as candidate cell sources for revascularization strategies. Despite these promising results, widespread clinical acceptance of EPCs for clinical therapies remains hampered by several challenges. The challenges and issues surrounding the use of EPCs and the current paradigm being developed to improve the harvest efficiency and functionality of EPCs for application in regenerative medicine are discussed. It has been observed that controversies have emerged regarding the isolation techniques and classification and origin of EPCs. This manuscript attempts to highlight the concept of EPCs in a sequential manner, from the initial discovery to the present (origin, sources of EPCs, isolation, and identification techniques). Human and murine EPC marker diversity is also discussed. Additionally, this manuscript is aimed at summarizing our current and future prospects regarding the crosstalk of EPCs with the biology of hematopoietic cells and culture techniques in the context of regeneration-associated cells (RACs).

Automated summary

This article discusses the challenges and issues surrounding the use of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) as candidate cell sources for revascularization strategies. It also highlights the origins, sources, isolation, and identification techniques of EPCs, as well as the diversity of human and murine EPC markers. Furthermore, it summarizes the current and future prospects of the crosstalk between EPCs and the biology of hematopoietic cells, as well as culture techniques in the context of regeneration-associated cells (RACs).