Focus on biological identity of endothelial progenitors cells

V. Zaccone, R. Flore, L. Santoro, G. De Matteis, B. Giupponi, D.D. Li Puma, A. Santoliquido

Department of Internal Medicine, Complesso Integrato Columbus, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy. donalipuma2015@libero.it

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• Stem Cells

Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells (EPCs) were discovered by Asahara et al in 1997 and defined as bone marrow CD34+/KDR+ cells endowed with angiogenic potentialities in vitro and in vivo. The most likely assumption is that EPCs consist of several cell subpopulations with functions targeted at accomplishing the post-natal neovascularization process in a synergic and complementary fashion. Indeed, the subsequent identification of numerous and differentiated hematic populations, characterized by the capacity to develop an endothelial phenotype, has posed a number of questions as to the real identity of EPCs. This concept does not represent a sterile speculation but rather it suggests important implications for the future practice of stem cell therapy.

The aim of this report was to explore through a critical analysis the two main experimental methodologies applied to EPCs, in vitro culture and flow cytometry, followed by a brief revaluation of the endothelial progenitors employing a globally functional approach.

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