Inflammation research : official journal of the European Histamine Research Society ... [et al.]
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Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are defined as a special type of stem cell that have been found to directly incorporate into injured vessels and that participate in angiogenesis and reconstruction by differentiation into endothelial cells. EPCs are widely used to therapeutically treat cardiovascular disease, limb ischemia and vascular repair. However, the role of EPCs in inflammatory diseases, especially in lung injury, is less studied. ⋯ EPCs have a therapeutic potential for vascular regeneration and may emerge as novel strategy for the diseases that are associated with ALI/ARDS.