Endothelial progenitor cells in chronic renal insufficiency.

There is growing evidence for a role of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in the repair of damaged endothelium. It remains unclear which cell populations are most useful for clinical trials. Administration of drugs increasing EPC numbers and/or improving functional properties seems attractive. Further basic research is necessary to understand the mechanisms of mobilization, differentiation and homing of EPC in general and in particular under uremic conditions. Nephrologists should search for strategies to ameliorate EPC dysfunction of uremia. In this way it might be possible to test whether improved EPC biology is associated with decreased cardiovascular mortality in uremic humans. In any such studies the difficulties are going to be related to the complex procedures for EPC isolation, the testing of their identity and differentiation and their propagation before use. Copyright 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel.