Standardization of methods to quantify and culture endothelial colony‐forming cells derived from peripheral blood

Abstract

Endothelial colony‐forming cells (ECFCs) are derived from progenitor cells that circulate in peripheral blood. Over the last two decades, human ECFCs have been isolated and studied by multiple laboratories worldwide. Collectively, studies have established a distinct molecular and phenotypic signature for ECFCs that includes expression of endothelial cell markers (e.g., CD31, CD144, CD146, EGFL‐7 and VEGFR2) and lack of hematopoietic markers (CD45 and CD14). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.