Circulating endothelial progenitor cells

Angiogenesis research investigates the formation of new blood vessels in wound healing, tumour growth and embryonic development. Circulating, bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were first described 8 years ago, yet the exact nature of these endothelial precursor cells remains unclear. The contributions of circulating EPCs to angiogenesis in tumours, ischaemic injury and other diseases as well as their usefulness in the repair of wounded hearts and limbs remain under intense investigation.