RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) are a subpopulation of bone-marrow mononuclear cells that are capable of generating new blood vessels in areas of ischaemia or infarction. This review examines the regenerative potential of EPC to ameliorate peripheral ischaemia. METHODS: An online search was done using OVID Medline Search, PubMed, and Cochrane Review Database, for all reviews and original articles in English concerning progenitor or bone-marrow mononuclear cells. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There are many controversies in EPC research, especially in the areas of identification, characterization, and therapeutic use. Both animal and human studies have shown benefits from using EPC to combat peripheral arterial and cerebrovascular disease. To bring EPC into wider clinical use, larger controlled clinical trials and better methods of augmenting EPC function and lifespan are required. Until then EPC should be used under robust trial conditions with ethical approval.