Endothelial Progenitor Cells In Health And Disease

We are delighted to offer this textbook to the scientific community, entitled Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Health and Diseases, which covers a timely topic in the rapidly evolving discipline of vascular biology. Written primarily for a life science audience and clinicians, the fundamentals of EPCs biology and the latest characterization and definition in health and diseases are introduced, followed by explanations of the most cutting-edge cell therapy methods to cure ischemic diseases. In Section One, endothelial cell progenitor isolation methods and biological characterization were reported. The discovery of this novel endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) concept has overturned the previous dogma which suggested that vasculogenesis could only occur during embryogenesis. In fact, both vasculogenesis and angiogenesis may potentially have a synergistic role in postnatal revascularization. Also, this chapter summarized recent advances in EPC biology such as biological function, origin, definition, and classification. Each EPC culture and isolation method is clearly defined to prevent confusion in EPC biology. Section Two focuses on EPC biological function alteration in cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Several large clinical trials have reported that the number and biological function are strongly associated with major adverse cardiovascular events. The diagnostic and prognostic potential of EPC is crucial in terms of CVD. In Section Three, biological dysfunction mechanisms of EPC and their scarcity in diabetic patients' peripheral blood were clearly described. Preclinical studies have shown that EPC-based therapy is feasible, safe, and efficacious in multiple disease states. Subsequently, this has led to several clinical trials demonstrating the feasibility and safety profile of EPC therapy against cardiovascular ischemic diseases. In Section Four, regenerative medicine pioneers discussed EPCs translation to the clinic and cell transplantation challenges along with their solutions. Personalized stem cell-based therapy approaches employing several clinical biomarkers, disease-related genetic-trait evaluation methods, and advanced analyses with state-of-the-art computational methods such as machine learning-based prediction can increase cell therapies' efficacy and decrease treatment costs. The last chapter in the book describes a therapeutic application of EPC-derived extracellular vesicles to cure CVD.

This reference serves as the first source to gather current data from endothelial cell biologists in various disciplines to summarize recent progress in the field-providing a complete understanding of the endothelium in health and disease and demonstrating its potential as a therapeutic target.

This book explores the role of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in the context of regenerative medicine (RegMed). In particular, it reveals the value of RegMed as a new TM branch intended to improve the health and quality of life, by restoring, maintaining or enhancing tissue and functions of organs. The book is divided into three chapters, the first of which describes the relevance of translational medicine (TM) as a new research approach to counteract the imposing challengeof age-related diseases. Of the diverse RegMed approaches, particular attention is paid to stem/progenitor cell-based therapies, their benefits and shortcomings, as well as to the description of types of stem and progenitor cells considered for regenerative cell therapies, such as EPCs as emerging candidates for RegMed applications. In turn, the second chapter outlines the clinical relevance of EPCs as both potential predictors, diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of age-related diseases and therapeutic agents,discussing their advantages, disadvantages, and conflicting data. Chapter three proposes a potential roadmap for revising the findings and creating a clearer picture of valid data, which can provide support for various important aspects, i.e.isolating and characterizing EPCs by establishing standardized criteria for EPC research, identifying appropriate sub-populations for cell therapy, timing, dosing, priming of cells,and defining delivery modes for different applications. The book concludes with an overview of innovative strategies that could improve the efficacy of cell therapy at all levels, including cell priming, bio-nanotechnology, and tissue engineering.

The book presents the overview of the current knowledge in some fields of vascular biology, addressing cellular and molecular aspects of blood-vessel formation and their role in health and disease. The major factors involved in the formation of blood vessels are presented by scientists actively involved in this area of research. Special emphasis is put on the presentation of various molecular mechanisms not addressed in similar works to date. The book is divided into three parts. The first part describes the cells and mediators in angiogenesis. The significance of various populations of potential endothelial progenitors is particularly highlighted. The chapters of the second part focus on molecular mechanisms, with special emphasis on the role of hypoxia, gasotransmitters and reactive oxygen species as well as microRNAs in regulation of angiogenic processes. In the third part, the pathological aspects of disturbed – aggravated or impaired – vascularization are discussed and new modalities for potential therapies are presented. The book is intended for scientists and PhD students in the fields of vascular biology and cancer research. It may be of interest for medical professionals in the fields of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, oncology and rheumatoid arthritis.

Since endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were first described in 1997, there has been significant debate surrounding their definition and roles; but also agreement in their potential to develop as biomarkers and cytotherapies. EPCs participate in vascular repair and postnatal angiogenesis by differentiating into endothelial cells or by producing pro–angiogenic growth factors. Various subtypes of EPCs have been studied, such as CD34+VEGFR2+ blood circulating cells, cultured endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs), and myeloid angiogenic cells (MACs). EPCs have therapeutic potential for revascularisation and vascular repair in ischemic diseases such as myocardial infarction and diabetic vascular complications. In this eBook, we compile evidence to enable their translation including strategies to enhance the number, homing ability to the injury site and function of EPCs.

Although blood capillaries were first observed through a flea-lens microscope by Malpighi in 1661,200 more years elapsed before the cellular nature of the vessel wall was conclusively demonstrated. Beginning with the middle of the 19th cen tury, our knowledge of the histological organization of blood vessels has steadily increased. However, the endothelium, which for a long time was considered to be just an inert barrier lining, had been barely explored until three decades ago. Since then, there has been an upsurge of interest in the fine structure and function of endothelial cells. Intense in vivo and in vitro investigations have revealed that the endothelial cell is a key element in a wide variety of normal activities and diseases. A large number of investigators and laboratories have been attracted to endothelial cell research, thus supporting the expansion of the continuously grow ing and diversifying field of endotheliology. The number of articles published annually on this subject has increased from a few score at the beginning of the 1970s to more than a thousand in recent years, and an increasing number of journals, books, societies, and symposia focused primarily on the vascular en dothelium have marked the last decade.

The book provides a comprehensive overview of selected topics in microcirculation, from physiology to pathophysiology including molecular mechanisms and clinical aspects. It contains 10 chapters written by reputed authors, which comprehensively sum up the current knowledge and some interesting new insights in the field of microcirculation. It will be useful to a broad range of audience, from students to highly profiled experts, helping them to expand their knowledge on microcirculation and opening up additional questions for further investigation.

Most organs in the adult human body are able to maintain themselves and undergo repair after injury; these processes are largely dependent on stem cells. In this Monograph, the Guest Editors bring together leading authors in the field to provide information about the different classes of stem cells present both in the developing and adult lung: where they are found, how they function in homeostasis and pathologic conditions, the mechanisms that regulate their behaviour, and how they may be harnessed for therapeutic purposes. The book focuses on stem cells in the mouse and human lung but also includes the ferret as an increasingly important new model organism. Chapters also discuss how lung tissue, including endogenous stem cells, can be generated in vitro from pluripotent stem cell lines. This state-of-the-art collection comprehensively covers one of the most exciting areas of respiratory science