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(Stroke. 2008;39:2158.)
© 2008 American Heart Association, Inc.

Comments, Opinions, and Reviews

Endothelial Progenitor Cell Research in Stroke

A Potential Shift in Pathophysiological and Therapeutical Concepts

Rob P.W. Rouhl, MD; Robert J. van Oostenbrugge, MD, PhD; Jan Damoiseaux, PhD; Jan-Willem Cohen Tervaert, MD, PhD Jan Lodder, MD, PhD

From the Departments of Neurology (R.P.W.R., R.J.v.O., J.L.) and Internal Medicine, Division of Clinical and Experimental Immunology (J.D., J.W.C.T.), University Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Correspondence to R.P.W. Rouhl, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Maastricht, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands. E-mail R.Rouhl{at}neurologie.azm.nl

Background and Purpose— Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the Western world; however, few therapies are at hand to decrease this burden.

Summary of Review— Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have been introduced in cardiovascular medicine as factotums. EPCs can repair damaged endothelium and attenuate the development and progression of atherosclerosis. Also, EPCs can form new vessels in ischemic areas and thus promote recovery after ischemic events. In stroke, however, EPC research is limited. In our overview, we provide background information on EPC use as a risk marker and as a potential therapeutic agent.

Conclusion— In our opinion, the lack of EPC studies in stroke should instigate vascular neurologists to participate in EPC research, as EPCs could also change pathophysiological concepts and improve clinical treatments in vascular neurology.

Key Words: angiogenesis • atherosclerosis • cerebral infarct • endothelium • endothelial progenitor cells