内皮祖细胞生物学特性的研究进展

Progress in research on the biological characteristics of endothelial progenitor cells

内皮祖细胞(endothelial progenitor cells,Epcs)是内皮细胞的前体细胞,主要来源于骨髓,外周血中的含量只有0.01%。Epcs在机体受到损伤或某些刺激时,它可通过血液循环动员到该处,形成新的血管。它还具有很高的分化潜能,可分化为内皮细胞、平滑肌细胞、成骨细胞、心肌细胞等。由于内皮祖细胞可动员到机体受损伤区域形成新的血管及它作为祖细胞具有很高的分化潜能,组织工程与再生医学常作为种子细胞来修复受损伤区域的血管或分化为其他细胞修复缺损,但内皮祖细胞来源少,分离培养较难,研究学者们发现了很多与增强内皮祖细胞生物学特性有关的因素,本文就与促进内皮祖细胞生物学特性的相关因素做一综述。

Endothelial progenitor cells (Epcs) are precursors of endothelial cells and are mainly derived from bone marrow, with only 0-01% content in peripheral blood. When a blood vessel is injured or otherwise stimulated, Epcs can migrate to the site of stimulation through the blood circulation to form new blood vessels. Epcs also have a high differentiation potential and can differentiate into endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, osteoblasts, or cardiomyocytes. Because Epcs can migrate to injured areas to form new blood vessels and have the potential to differentiate into many kinds of cells, they are often used as seed cells to repair damaged areas of blood vessels or differentiate into other cells to repair defects. However, Epcs are difficult to isolate and cultivate. Researchers have found factors related to enhancement of the biological characteristics of Epcs. This article reviews the factors related to the biological characteristics of Epcs.