Lin-Sen  Hu, Zhi-Qiang  Liu, Da-Wei  Li, Zhao-Xia  Zang, Ming  Chang, 
    A Systematic Review of Endothelial Colony-Forming Cells,
    Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances,
    Volume 11,Issue 24,
    2012,
    Pages 4506-4513,
    ISSN 1680-5593,
    javaa.2012.4506.4513,
    (https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=javaa.2012.4506.4513)
    Abstract: 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 
  <I>de novo</I> blood vessels with a lumen<I> in vivo</I> and capillary-like 
  tube <I>in vitro</I>. 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.
    Keywords: Endothelial colony-forming cells;endothelial progenitor cells;neovascularization;hierarchy;expansion