Progenitors in motion: mechanisms of mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells

• Published in: British journal of clinical pharmacology Vol. 68; no. 4; pp. 484 - 492
• Main Authors: Tilling, Lindsey, Chowienczyk, Philip, Clapp, Brian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-10-2009; Blackwell; Blackwell Science Inc
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Bone Marrow Cells - metabolism; Bone Marrow Cells - physiology; Cardiovascular Diseases - pathology; Cell Movement - physiology; Cytokines - metabolism; Endothelial Cells - metabolism; Endothelial Cells - physiology; endothelial progenitor cell; endothelium; Humans; Interleukin-8; Medical sciences; mobilization; Nitric Oxide; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Review; Stem Cells - metabolism; Stem Cells - physiology; vascular repair; Motion; Endothelial cell; Stem cell; Precursor cell; endothelial progenitor cell; vascular repair; Endothelium; Mobilization; Blood vessel; Circulatory system; Mechanism of action; Repair; Progenitor cell
• ISSN: 0306-5251; 1365-2125
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.2009.03486.x

Endothelial progenitor cells are a population of bone marrow‐derived mononuclear cells thought to engage in endothelial repair and hence are considered potential therapeutic agents in many pathological conditions. The mechanism of their exit from the bone marrow to the circulation and damaged tissues, termed mobilization, has not been fully elucidated. Despite this, several pharmacological interventions have been shown to influence mobilization of these specialized cells. Here we review the current understanding of their mobilization.