Endothelial stem cell

Last updated

Endothelial stem cell
CD34EndothelialCell.jpg
CD34+ endothelial cell among a population of bovine aortic endothelial cells
Details
Location Bone marrow
Identifiers
Latin cellula endothelialis praecursoria
TH H2.00.01.0.00003
Anatomical terms of microanatomy

Endothelial stem cells (ESCs) are one of three types of stem cells found in bone marrow. They are multipotent, which describes the ability to give rise to many cell types, whereas a pluripotent stem cell can give rise to all types. ESCs have the characteristic properties of a stem cell: self-renewal and differentiation. These parent stem cells, ESCs, give rise to progenitor cells, which are intermediate stem cells that lose potency. Progenitor stem cells are committed to differentiating along a particular cell developmental pathway. ESCs will eventually produce endothelial cells (ECs), which create the thin-walled endothelium that lines the inner surface of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. [1] The lymphatic vessels include things such as arteries and veins. Endothelial cells can be found throughout the whole vascular system and they also play a vital role in the movement of white blood cells [2]

Contents

Development

ECs were first thought to arise from extraembryonic tissues because blood vessels were observed in the avian and mammalian embryos. However, after histological analysis, it was seen that ECs were found just in the embryo. This meant that blood vessels come from an intraembryonic source, the mesoderm. [3] Since these cells come from the mesoderm, it can become a wide variety of different things found in many different parts of the body. [2] Role of insulin-like growth factors in endothelium differentiation

ECs derived from stem cells are the beginning of vasculogenesis. [4] Vasculogenesis is new production of a vascular network from mesodermal progenitor cells. This can be distinguished from angiogenesis, which is the creation of new capillaries from vessels that already exist through the process of splitting or sprouting. [5] This can occur "in vitro" in embryoid bodies (EB) derived from embryonic stem cells; this process in EB is similar to "in vivo" vasculogenesis. Important signaling factors for vasculogenesis are TGF-β, BMP4, and VEGF, all of which promote pluripotent stem cells to differentiate into mesoderm, endothelial progenitor cells, and then into mature endothelium. [4] It is important to talk more about vasculogenesis because this is what makes ECs different from other types of cells that are found in the body. During vasculogenesis, the heart and vascular plexus form while the organism is still an embryo, compared to anigiogenesis which is essentially the extension of this. [6] Another difference major difference between the two formation processes is that vasculogenesis originates from hemangioblasts, which come from the mesoderm. [6] There is also differences that occur in the signaling pathways of these two pathways that makes them noticeably different.

It is well established that insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling is important for cell responses such as mitogenesis, cell growth, proliferation, angiogenesis, and differentiation. IGF1 and IGF2 increase the production of ECs in EB. A method that IGF employs to increase vasculogenesis is upregulation of VEGF. Not only is VEGF critical for mesoderm cells to become an EC, but also for EPCs to differentiate into mature endothelium. Understanding this process can lead to further research in vascular regeneration. [4]

Function

Self-renewal and differentiation

Stem cells have the unique ability make identical copies of themselves. This property maintains unspecialized and undifferentiated cells within the body. Differentiation is the process by which a cell becomes more specialized. For stem cells, this usually occurs through several stages, when a cell proliferates giving rise to daughter cells that are further specialized. [7] For example, an endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) is more specialized than an ESC, and an EC is more specialized than an EPC. The further specialized a cell is, the more differentiated it is and as a result it is considered to be more committed to a certain cellular lineage. [7] Stem cell self-renewal is an extremely important process that is a way for organisms to replace the cells that are no longer working properly. Self-renewal is essential to keep the organism functioning properly and efficiently. The process of self-renewal occurs because of the signals the cells receive from the environment and the things the cell expresses to the environment (Fuchs & Chen 2013) . The signals and receptors must function properly at all times so the cells will know what they are supposed to do (Fuchs & Chen 2013). As stated before, proper functioning of the self-renewal system is essential for the organism to live a long healthy life.

Blood vessel formation

Blood vessels are made of a thin layer of ECs. As part of the circulatory system, blood vessels play a critical role in transporting blood throughout the body. Consequently, ECs have unique functions such as fluid filtration, homeostasis and hormone trafficking. ECs are the most differentiated form of an ESC. Formation of new blood vessels occurs by two different processes: vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. [8] When vasculogenesis occurs the cells transform into different versions throughout the process to eventually become the earliest blood vessels. [9] The cells going through stages from one form to another form is one of the major differences between vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. The angiogenesis process forms new blood vessels form blood vessels that have already been through vasculogenesis. [9] The former requires differentiation of endothelial cells from hemangioblasts and then the further organization into a primary capillary network. The latter occurs when new vessels are built from preexisting blood vessels. [8]

Markers

The vascular system is made up of two parts: 1) Blood vasculature 2) Lymphatic vessels

Both parts consist of ECs that show differential expression of various genes. A study showed that ectopic expression of Prox-1 in blood vascular ECs (BECs) induced one-third of LEC specific gene expression. Prox-1is a homeobox transcription factor found in lymphatic ECs (LECs). For example, specific mRNAs such as VEGFR-3 and p57Kip2 were expressed by the BEC that was induced to express Prox-1. [10]

Lymphatic-specific vascular endothelial growth factors VEGF-C and VEGF-D function as ligands for the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3 (VEGFR-3). The ligand-receptor interaction is essential for normal development of lymphatic tissues. [11]

Tal1 gene is specifically found in the vascular endothelium and developing brain.[5] This gene encodes the basic helix-loop-helix structure and functions as a transcription factor. Embryos lacking Tal1 fail to develop past embryonic day 9.5. However, the study found that Tal1 is actually required for vascular remodeling of the capillary network, rather than early endothelial development itself. [11]

Fetal liver kinase-1 (Flk-1) is a cell surface receptor protein that is commonly used as a marker for ESCs and EPCs. [7]

CD34 is another marker that can be found on the surface of ESCs and EPCs. It is characteristic of hematopoietic stem cells, as well as muscle stem cells. [7]

Role in formation of vascular system

The two lineages arising from the EPC and the hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) form the blood circulatory system. Hematopoietic stem cells can undergo self-renewal, and are multipotent cells that give rise to erythrocytes (red blood cells), megakaryocytes/platelets, mast cells, T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes, dendritic cells, natural killer cells, monocyte/macrophage, and granulocytes. [12] A study found that in the beginning stages of mouse embryogenesis, commencing at embryonic day 7.5, HPCs are produced close to the emerging vascular system. In the yolk sac's blood islands, HPCs and EC lineages emerge from the extraembryonic mesoderm in near unison. This creates a formation in which early erythrocytes are enveloped by angioblasts, and together they give rise to mature ECs. This observation gave rise to the hypothesis that the two lineages come from the same precursor, termed hemangioblast. [11] Even though there is evidence that corroborates a hemangioblast, the isolation and exact location in the embryo has been difficult to pinpoint. Some researchers have found that cells with hemangioblast properties have been located in the posterior end of the primitive streak during gastrulation. [3]

In 1917, Florence Sabin first observed that blood vessels and red blood cells in the yolk sac of chick embryos occur in close proximity and time. [13] Then, in 1932, Murray detected the same event and created the term "hemangioblast" for what Sabin had seen. [14]

It is important that these hematopoietic stem cells are able to undergo self-renewal because the human body needs billions of new hematopoietic cells each and every day. [15] If the cells were not able to do this, humans would not be able to survive. There was an experiment that was done involving quail embryos on chicken yolk sacs that found complete opposite results of the experiment done by Sabin. In this experiment, it was found that yolk-sac progenitors only contributed on a small amount to hematopoiesis compared to the embryo. [16] This experiment also showed that blood cells that were made by the yolk sac were not present when the bird hatched. [16] Over time there have been experiments done that add to the confusion if the blood cells and red blood cells are related in the yolk sac and embryo.

Further evidence to corroborate hemangioblasts come from the expression of various genes such as CD34 and Tie2 by both lineages. The fact that this expression was seen in both EC and HPC lineages led researchers to propose a common origin. However, endothelial markers like Flk1/VEGFR-2 are exclusive to ECs but stop HPCs from progressing into an EC. It is accepted that VEGFR-2+ cells are a common precursor for HPCs and ECs. If the Vegfr3 gene is deleted then both HPC and EC differentiation comes to a halt in embryos. VEGF promotes angioblast differentiation; whereas, VEGFR-1 stops the hemangioblast from becoming an EC. In addition, basic fibroblast growth factor FGF-2 is also involved in promoting angioblasts from the mesoderm. After angioblasts commit to becoming an EC, the angioblasts gather and rearrange to assemble in a tube similar to a capillary. Angioblasts can travel during the formation of the circulatory system to configure the branches to allow for directional blood flow. Pericytes and smooth muscle cells encircle ECs when they are differentiating into arterial or venous arrangements. Surrounding the ECs creates a brace to help stabilize the vessels known as the pericellular basal lamina. It is suggested pericytes and smooth muscle cells come from neural crest cells and the surrounding mesenchyme. [11]

Role in recovery

ESCs and EPCs eventually differentiate into ECs. The endothelium secretes soluble factors to regulate vasodilatation and to preserve homeostasis. [17] When there is any dysfunction in the endothelium, the body aims to repair the damage. Resident ESCs can generate mature ECs that replace the damaged ones. [18] However, the intermediate progenitor cell cannot always generate functional ECs. This is because some of the differentiated cells may just have angiogenic properties. [18] The employs many different protective mechanisms when there is endothelium dysfunction that occurs. The reason so many mechanisms are employed is so that the body is protected the best it can, and will be able to respond to any type of pathogen that should happen to invade the body during this dysfunction.

Studies have shown that when vascular trauma occurs, EPCs and circulating endothelial progenitors (CEPs) are attracted to the site due to the release of specific chemokines. [19] CEPs are derived from EPCs within the bone marrow, and the bone marrow is a reservoir of stem and progenitor cells. These cell types accelerate the healing process and prevent further complications such as hypoxia by gathering the cellular materials to reconstruct the endothelium. [19]

Endothelium dysfunction is a prototypical characteristic of vascular disease, which is common in patients with autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus. [20] Further, there is an inverse relationship between age and levels of EPCs. Inverse of endothelial dysfunction also occurs when other risk factors are treated. [21] With a decline in EPCs the body loses its ability to repair the endothelium. [18]

The use of stem cells for treatment has become a growing interest in the scientific community. Distinguishing between an ESC and its intermediate progenitor is nearly impossible, [7] so research is now being done broadly on EPCs. One study showed that brief exposure to sevoflurane promoted growth and proliferation of EPCs. [22] Sevoflurane is used in general anesthesia, but this finding shows the potential to induce endothelial progenitors. Using stem cells for cell replacement therapies is known as "regenerative medicine", which is a booming field that is now working on transplanting cells as opposed to bigger tissues or organs. [22] There was another study done that also showed that after exposure to sevoflurane, the EPCs were able to adhere to endothelial cells better. [23] When combining the results from both of the studies, results show that sevoflurane was able to improve the function of EPCs significantly in three different areas of interest.

Clinical significance

Role in cancer

Understanding more about ESCs is important in cancer research. Tumours induce angiogenesis, which is the formation of new blood vessels. These cancerous cells do this by secreting factors such as VEGF and by reducing the amount of PGK, an anti-VEGF enzyme. The result is an uncontrolled production of beta-catenin, which regulates cell growth and cell mobility. With uncontrolled beta-catenin, the cell loses its adhesive properties. As ECs get packed together to create the lining of a new blood vessel, a single cancer cell is able to travel through the vessel to a distant site. If that cancer cell implants itself and begins forming a new tumor, the cancer has metastasized. [24] The cancer cells also do not have to travel to a distant site, they can also stay in one location and this is known as the tumor being benign. Metastasized tumors are much harsher form of cancer because the tumors must be treated at many different locations, compared to just one location when the tumor is benign.

Research

Stem cells have always been a huge interest for scientists due to their unique properties that make them unlike any other cell in the body. Generally, the idea boils down to harnessing the power of plasticity and the ability to go from an unspecialized cell to a highly specialized differentiated cell. ESCs play an incredibly important role in establishing the vascular network that is vital for a functional circulatory system. Consequently, EPCs are under study to determine the potential for treatment of ischemic heart disease. [25] Scientists are still trying to find a way to definitely distinguish the stem cell from the progenitor. In the case of endothelial cells, it is even difficult to distinguish a mature EC from an EPC. However, because of the multipotency of the ESC, the discoveries made about EPCs will parallel or understate the powers of the ESC. [25]

Animal models

There are a number of models used to study vasculogenesis. Avian embryos, Xenopus laevis embryos, are both fair models. However, zebrafish and mouse embryos have widespread use for easily observed development of vascular systems, and the recognition of key parts of molecular regulation when ECs differentiate. [3]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Capillary</span> Smallest type of blood vessel

A capillary is a small blood vessel, from 5 to 10 micrometres in diameter, and is part of the microcirculation system. Capillaries are microvessels and the smallest blood vessels in the body. They are composed of only the tunica intima, consisting of a thin wall of simple squamous endothelial cells. They are the site of the exchange of many substances from the surrounding interstitial fluid, and they convey blood from the smallest branches of the arteries (arterioles) to those of the veins (venules). Other substances which cross capillaries include water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, urea, glucose, uric acid, lactic acid and creatinine. Lymph capillaries connect with larger lymph vessels to drain lymphatic fluid collected in microcirculation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angiogenesis</span> Blood vessel formation, when new vessels emerge from existing vessels

Angiogenesis is the physiological process through which new blood vessels form from pre-existing vessels, formed in the earlier stage of vasculogenesis. Angiogenesis continues the growth of the vasculature mainly by processes of sprouting and splitting, but processes such as coalescent angiogenesis, vessel elongation and vessel cooption also play a role. Vasculogenesis is the embryonic formation of endothelial cells from mesoderm cell precursors, and from neovascularization, although discussions are not always precise. The first vessels in the developing embryo form through vasculogenesis, after which angiogenesis is responsible for most, if not all, blood vessel growth during development and in disease.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Endothelium</span> Layer of cells that lining inner surface of blood vessels

The endothelium is a single layer of squamous endothelial cells that line the interior surface of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. The endothelium forms an interface between circulating blood or lymph in the lumen and the rest of the vessel wall. Endothelial cells form the barrier between vessels and tissue and control the flow of substances and fluid into and out of a tissue.

Vascular endothelial growth factor, originally known as vascular permeability factor (VPF), is a signal protein produced by many cells that stimulates the formation of blood vessels. To be specific, VEGF is a sub-family of growth factors, the platelet-derived growth factor family of cystine-knot growth factors. They are important signaling proteins involved in both vasculogenesis and angiogenesis.

Vasculogenesis is the process of blood vessel formation, occurring by a de novo production of endothelial cells. It is sometimes paired with angiogenesis, as the first stage of the formation of the vascular network, closely followed by angiogenesis.

The aorta-gonad-mesonephros (AGM) is a region of embryonic mesoderm that develops during embryonic development from the para-aortic splanchnopleura in chick, mouse and human embryos. The very first adult definitive haematopoietic stem cells, capable of long-term multilineage repopulation of adult irradiated recipients, originate from the ventral endothelial wall of the embryonic dorsal aorta, through an endothelial transdifferentiation process referred to as an 'endothelial-to-haematopoietic transition' (EHT). In the mouse embryo, these very first HSCs are characterised by their expression of Ly6A-GFP (Sca1), CD31, CD34, cKit, CD27, CD41, Gata2, Runx1, Notch1, and BMP amongst others.

Neovascularization is the natural formation of new blood vessels, usually in the form of functional microvascular networks, capable of perfusion by red blood cells, that form to serve as collateral circulation in response to local poor perfusion or ischemia.

Hemangioblasts are the multipotent precursor cells that can differentiate into both hematopoietic and endothelial cells. In the mouse embryo, the emergence of blood islands in the yolk sac at embryonic day 7 marks the onset of hematopoiesis. From these blood islands, the hematopoietic cells and vasculature are formed shortly after. Hemangioblasts are the progenitors that form the blood islands. To date, the hemangioblast has been identified in human, mouse and zebrafish embryos.

Angioblasts are embryonic cells from which the endothelium of blood vessels arises. They are derived from embryonic mesoderm. Blood vessels first make their appearance in several scattered vascular areas that are developed simultaneously between the endoderm and the mesoderm of the yolk-sac, i. e., outside the body of the embryo. Here a new type of cell, the angioblast, is differentiated from the mesoderm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blood islands</span> Structures around the developing embryo

Blood islands are structures around the developing embryo which lead to many different parts of the circulatory system. Blood islands arise external to the developing embryo on the umbilical vesicle, allantois, connecting stalk and chorion. They are also known as Pander's islands or Wolff's islands, after Heinz Christian Pander or Caspar Friedrich Wolff.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angiopoietin</span> Protein family

Angiopoietin is part of a family of vascular growth factors that play a role in embryonic and postnatal angiogenesis. Angiopoietin signaling most directly corresponds with angiogenesis, the process by which new arteries and veins form from preexisting blood vessels. Angiogenesis proceeds through sprouting, endothelial cell migration, proliferation, and vessel destabilization and stabilization. They are responsible for assembling and disassembling the endothelial lining of blood vessels. Angiopoietin cytokines are involved with controlling microvascular permeability, vasodilation, and vasoconstriction by signaling smooth muscle cells surrounding vessels. There are now four identified angiopoietins: ANGPT1, ANGPT2, ANGPTL3, ANGPT4.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VEGF receptor</span> Protein family

VEGF receptors (VEGFRs) are receptors for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). There are three main subtypes of VEGFR, numbered 1, 2 and 3. Depending on alternative splicing, they may be membrane-bound (mbVEGFR) or soluble (sVEGFR).

Endothelial progenitor cell is a term that has been applied to multiple different cell types that play roles in the regeneration of the endothelial lining of blood vessels. Outgrowth endothelial cells are an EPC subtype committed to endothelial cell formation. Despite the history and controversy, the EPC in all its forms remains a promising target of regenerative medicine research.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vascular endothelial growth factor A</span> Protein involved in blood vessel growth

Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the VEGFA gene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Precursor cell</span> Partially differentiated usually unipotent cell

In cell biology, precursor cells—also called blast cells—are partially differentiated, or intermediate, and are sometimes referred to as progenitor cells. A precursor cell is a stem cell with the capacity to differentiate into only one cell type, meaning they are unipotent stem cells. In embryology, precursor cells are a group of cells that later differentiate into one organ. However, progenitor cells are considered multipotent.

Angiogenesis is the process of forming new blood vessels from existing blood vessels, formed in vasculogenesis. It is a highly complex process involving extensive interplay between cells, soluble factors, and the extracellular matrix (ECM). Angiogenesis is critical during normal physiological development, but it also occurs in adults during inflammation, wound healing, ischemia, and in pathological conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, hemangioma, and tumor growth. Proteolysis has been indicated as one of the first and most sustained activities involved in the formation of new blood vessels. Numerous proteases including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain (ADAM), a disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain with throbospondin motifs (ADAMTS), and cysteine and serine proteases are involved in angiogenesis. This article focuses on the important and diverse roles that these proteases play in the regulation of angiogenesis.

Lymph sacs are a part of the development of the lymphatic system, known as lymphangiogenesis. The lymph sacs are precursors of the lymph vessels. These sacs develop through the processes of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. However, there is evidence of both of these processes in different organisms. In mice, it is thought that the lymphatic components form through an angiogenic process. But, there is evidence from bird embryos that gives rise to the idea that lymphatic vessels arise in the embryos through a vasculogenesis-like process from the lymphangioblastic endothelial precursor cells.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vascular remodelling in the embryo</span> Biological process

Vascular remodelling is a process which occurs when an immature heart begins contracting, pushing fluid through the early vasculature. The process typically begins at day 22, and continues to the tenth week of human embryogenesis. This first passage of fluid initiates a signal cascade and cell movement based on physical cues including shear stress and circumferential stress, which is necessary for the remodelling of the vascular network, arterial-venous identity, angiogenesis, and the regulation of genes through mechanotransduction. This embryonic process is necessary for the future stability of the mature vascular network.

Hemogenic endothelium is a special subset of endothelial cells scattered within blood vessels that can differentiate into haematopoietic cells.

Many human blood cells, such as red blood cells (RBCs), immune cells, and even platelets all originate from the same progenitor cell, the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC). As these cells are short-lived, there needs to be a steady turnover of new blood cells and the maintenance of an HSC pool. This is broadly termed hematopoiesis. This event requires a special environment, termed the hematopoietic stem cell niche, which provides the protection and signals necessary to carry out the differentiation of cells from HSC progenitors. This stem-cell niche relocates from the yolk sac to eventually rest in the bone marrow of mammals. Many pathological states can arise from disturbances in this niche environment, highlighting its importance in maintaining hematopoiesis.

References

  1. Fang S, Wei J, Pentinmikko N, Leinonen H, Salven P (16 October 2012). Goodell MA (ed.). "Generation of functional blood vessels from a single c-kit+ adult vascular endothelial stem cell". PLOS Biology. 10 (10): e1001407. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001407 . PMC   3473016 . PMID   23091420.
  2. 1 2 Alberts, Bruce; Johnson, Alexander; Lewis, Julian; Raff, Martin; Roberts, Keith; Walter, Peter (2002). "Blood Vessels and Endothelial Cells". Molecular Biology of the Cell. 4th Edition.
  3. 1 2 3 Ferguson JW, Kelley RW, Patterson C (2005). "Mechanisms of endothelial differentiation in embryonic vasculogenesis". Journal of the American Heart Association. 25 (11): 2246–2254. doi: 10.1161/01.atv.0000183609.55154.44 . PMID   16123328.
  4. 1 2 3 Piecewicz SM, Pandey A, Roy B, Xiang SH, Zetter BR, Sengupta S (2012). "Insulin-like growth factors promote vasculogenesis in embryonic stem cells". PLOS ONE. 7 (17): e32191. Bibcode:2012PLoSO...732191P. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0032191 . PMC   3283730 . PMID   22363814.
  5. Kovacic JC, Moore J, Herbert A, Ma D, Boehm M, Graham RM (2008). "Endothelial Progenitor Cells, Angioblasts, and Angiogenesis- Old terms Reconsidered from a new current perspective". Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine. 18 (2): 45–51. doi:10.1016/j.tcm.2007.12.002. PMID   18308194.
  6. 1 2 Patan, Sybill (2004). "Vasculogenesis and Angiogenesis". Angiogenesis in Brain Tumors. Cancer Treatment and Research. Vol. 117. pp. 3–32. doi:10.1007/978-1-4419-8871-3_1. ISBN   978-1-4613-4699-9. ISSN   0927-3042. PMID   15015550.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Bethesda MD. (6 April 2009). "Stem Cell Basics". In Stem Cell Information. National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Archived from the original on 31 March 2012. Retrieved 6 March 2012.
  8. 1 2 Gehling U, Ergun S, Schumacher U, Wagener C, Pantel K, Otte M, Schuch G, Schafhausen P, Mende T, Kilic N, Kluge K, Schafer B, Hossfeld D, Fiedler W (2000). "In vitro differentiation of endothelial cells from AC133-positive progenitor cells". Blood. 95 (10): 3106–3112. doi:10.1182/blood.V95.10.3106. PMID   10807776.
  9. 1 2 Stratman, Amber N.; Yu, Jianxin A.; Mulligan, Timothy S.; Butler, Matthew G.; Sause, Eric T.; Weinstein, Brant M. (2015), "Blood Vessel Formation", Principles of Developmental Genetics, Elsevier, pp. 421–449, doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-405945-0.00024-7, ISBN   978-0-12-405945-0
  10. Petrova TV, Makinen T, Makela TP, Saarela J, Virtanen I, Ferrell RE, Finegold DN, Kerjaschki D, Y, a-Herttuala S, Alitalo K (2002). "Lymphatic endothelial reprogramming of vascular endothelial cells by the Prox-1 homeobox transcription factor". EMBO Journal. 21 (17): 4593–4599. doi:10.1093/emboj/cdf470. PMC   125413 . PMID   12198161.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Kubo H, Alitalo K (2003). "The bloody fate of endothelial stem cells". Genes & Development. 17 (3): 322–329. doi: 10.1101/gad.1071203 . PMID   12569121.
  12. Seita J, Weissman IL (2010). "Hematopoietic stem cell: self-renewal versus differentiation". Systems Biology and Medicine. 2 (6): 640–653. doi:10.1002/wsbm.86. PMC   2950323 . PMID   20890962.
  13. Sabin F. (1917). "Preliminary note on the differentiation of angioblasts and the method by which they produce blood-vessels, blood-plasma and red blood-cells as seen in the living chick". The Anatomical Record. 13 (4): 199–204. doi:10.1002/ar.1090130403. S2CID   221400744.
  14. Murray PDF. (1932). "The development in vitro of the blood of the early chick embryo". Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Containing Papers of a Biological Character. 111 (773): 497–521. Bibcode:1932RSPSB.111..497M. doi: 10.1098/rspb.1932.0070 .
  15. "Bone Marrow (Hematopoietic) Stem Cells | stemcells.nih.gov". stemcells.nih.gov. Archived from the original on 15 May 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  16. 1 2 Jaffredo, Jeff (2005). "From hemangioblast to hematopoietic stem cell: An endothelial connection?". Experimental Hematology. 33 (9): 1029–1040. doi: 10.1016/j.exphem.2005.06.005 . PMID   16140151.
  17. Cheek D, Graulty R, Bryant S (2002). "Meet the multitasking endothelium". Nursing Made Incredibly Easy!. 6 (4): 18–25. doi:10.1097/01.nme.0000324934.19114.e0.
  18. 1 2 3 Siddique A, Shantsila E, Lip G, Varma C (2010). "Endothelial progenitor cells: what use for the cardiologist?". Journal of Angiogenesis Research. 2 (6): 6. doi: 10.1186/2040-2384-2-6 . PMC   2834645 . PMID   20298532.
  19. 1 2 Rafil S, Lyden D (2003). "Therapeutic stem and progenitor cell transplantation for organ vascularization and regeneration". Nature Medicine. 9 (6): 702–12. doi:10.1038/nm0603-702. PMID   12778169. S2CID   10294635.
  20. Deanfield J, Donald A, Ferri C, Giannattasio C, Halcox J, Halligan S, Lerman A, Mancia G, Oliver JJ, Pessina AC, Rizzoni D, Rossi GP, Salvetti A, Schiffrin EL, Taddei S, Webb DJ (2005). "Endothelial function and dysfunction. Part I: Methodological issues for assessment in the different vascular beds: a statement by the Working Group on Endothelin and Endothelial Factors of the European Society of Hypertension". Journal of Hypertension. 23 (1): 7–17. doi:10.1097/00004872-200501000-00004. PMID   15643116.
  21. Hadi, Hadi AR; Carr, Cornelia S; Al Suwaidi, Jassim (September 2005). "Endothelial Dysfunction: Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Therapy, and Outcome". Vascular Health and Risk Management. 1 (3): 183–198. ISSN   1176-6344. PMC   1993955 . PMID   17319104.
  22. 1 2 Lucchinetti E, Zeisberger SM, Baruscotti I, Wacker J, Feng J, Dubey R, Zisch AH, Zaugg M (2009). "Stem cell-like human endothelial progenitors show enhanced colony-forming capacity after brief sevofluorane exposure: preconditioning of angiogenic cells by volatile anesthetics". Anesthesia & Analgesia. 109 (4): 1117–26. doi: 10.1213/ane.0b013e3181b5a277 . PMID   19762739. S2CID   23763818.
  23. Munteanu Vlad, Adelina; Isvoranu, Gheorghita; Gilca, Marilena; Ceafalan, Laura; Surcel, Mihaela; Stoian, Irina; Manda, Gina (1 April 2015). "Sevoflurane Increases Proliferation, Adhesion on HUVEC and Incorporation in Tubular Structures of Endothelial Progenitor Cells". The FASEB Journal. 29 (1_supplement): LB590. doi: 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.lb590 . ISSN   0892-6638.
  24. Enzyme eliminated by cancer cells holds promise for cancer treatment
  25. 1 2 Fan CL, Li Y, Gao PJ, Liu JJ, Zhang XJ, Zhu DL (2003). "Differentiation of endothelial progenitor cells from human umbilical cord blood CD 34+ cells in vitro". Acta Pharmacologica Sinica. 24 (3): 212–218. PMID   12617768.
  26. Kovina MV, Krasheninnikov ME, Dyuzheva TG, Danilevsky MI, Klabukov ID, Balyasin MV, et al. (March 2018). "Human endometrial stem cells: High-yield isolation and characterization". Cytotherapy. 20 (3): 361–374. doi:10.1016/j.jcyt.2017.12.012. PMID   29397307.