Abstract:
Endothelial integrity depends on a balance between the extent of endothelial cell injury and the capacity for
endogenous repair. An imbalance is thought to be a contributory factor for development of atherosclerosis. In healthy
individuals mature neighboring endothelial cells may replicate and therefore replace damaged cells. This mechanism
has limited potential and therefore an alternative mechanism is also required. One that is proposed mechanism is of
undifferentiated cells migrating to sites of vascular injury and then differentiate into mature endothelial cells. These
cells are also thought to perpetuate the mechanism by secreting pro-angiogenic cytokines. However, there currently
remains a lack of consensus on phenotypic and functional definition of endothelial precursor cells.
This review summarizes the current controversies surround the identification, nomenclature and classification
of EPCs
