Human blood vessel-derived endothelial progenitors for endothelialization of small diameter vascular prosthesis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Coronary bypass graft failure as a result of acute thrombosis and intimal hyperplasia has been the major challenge in surgical procedures involving small-diameter vascular prosthesis. Coating synthetic grafts with patients' own endothelial cells has been suggested to improve the patency rate and overall success of bypass surgeries.

Methodology/principal findings

We isolated endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from leftover pieces of human saphenous vein/mammary artery. We demonstrate that EPCs can be expanded to generate millions of cells under low-density culture conditions. Exposure to high-density conditions induces differentiation to endothelial cell phenotype. EPC-derived endothelial cells show expression of CD144high, CD31, and vWF. We then assessed the abil

SUBMITTER: Ranjan AK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2766657 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature