Peripheral blood-derived endothelial progenitor cells (family)

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) arise in the bone marrow (BM) as CD34+CD133+VEGFR2+ cells and are induced, by circulating angiogenic factors, such as VEGF, to enter the vasculature. In the circulation, EPCs can home to ischemic areas or to regions with enhanced growth factor release, such as tumors, where they participate in new vessel formation.