TY - JOUR T1 - A Systematic Review of Endothelial Colony-Forming Cells AU - Hu, Lin-Sen AU - Liu, Zhi-Qiang AU - Li, Da-Wei AU - Zang, Zhao-Xia AU - Chang, Ming JO - Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances VL - 11 IS - 24 SP - 4506 EP - 4513 PY - 2012 DA - 2001/08/19 SN - 1680-5593 DO - javaa.2012.4506.4513 UR - https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=javaa.2012.4506.4513 KW - Endothelial colony-forming cells KW -endothelial progenitor cells KW -neovascularization KW -hierarchy KW -expansion AB - Endothelial Progenitor Cells (EPCs) may play a crucial role in postnatal vasculogenesis which contribute to the development of vascular biology. So far, there has not a consensus definition of EPCs. In 2004, Ingram developed a single-cell clonogenic assay and identified a unique cell population based on their proliferative potential in human umbilical cord blood and adult peripheral blood and named this cell population as Endothelial Colony-Forming Cells (ECFCs). Accumulating data suggest that ECFCs possess all the characteristics of EPCs including robust clonal proliferative capacity and the ability to form de novo blood vessels with a lumen in vivo and capillary-like tube in vitro. Therefore, ECFCs may be true EPCs and have been highly concerned as a superior type of cells to treat patients with vascular diseases. This review will focus on the characteristics, hierarchy, expansion, functions of ECFCs. Researchers attempt to provide a comprehensive understanding of the cells to promote the development of cell-based therapy for patients suffering from vascular diseases. ER -