Open AccessEndothelial Progenitors: A Consensus Statement on Nomenclature
Author(s) -
Medina Reinhold J.,
Barber Chad L.,
Sabatier Florence,
DignatGeorge Francoise,
MeleroMartin Juan M.,
Khosrotehrani Kiarash,
Ohneda Osamu,
Randi Anna M.,
Chan Jerry K.Y.,
Yamaguchi Teruhide,
Van Hinsbergh Victor W.M.,
Yoder Mervin C.,
Stitt Alan W.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
stem cells translational medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.781
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 2157-6580
pISSN - 2157-6564
DOI - 10.1002/sctm.16-0360
Subject(s) - progenitor cell , biology , endothelial stem cell , endothelial progenitor cell , haematopoiesis , nomenclature , immunology , stem cell , immunophenotyping , progenitor , computational biology , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , antigen , in vitro , taxonomy (biology) , botany
Summary Endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) nomenclature remains ambiguous and there is a general lack of concordance in the stem cell field with many distinct cell subtypes continually grouped under the term “EPC.” It would be highly advantageous to agree on standards to confirm an endothelial progenitor phenotype and this should include detailed immunophenotyping, potency assays, and clear separation from hematopoietic angiogenic cells which are not endothelial progenitors. In this review, we seek to discourage the indiscriminate use of “EPCs,” and instead propose precise terminology based on defining cellular phenotype and function. Endothelial colony forming cells and myeloid angiogenic cells are examples of two distinct and well‐defined cell types that have been considered EPCs because they both promote vascular repair, albeit by completely different mechanisms of action. It is acknowledged that scientific nomenclature should be a dynamic process driven by technological and conceptual advances; ergo the ongoing “EPC” nomenclature ought not to be permanent and should become more precise in the light of strong scientific evidence. This is especially important as these cells become recognized for their role in vascular repair in health and disease and, in some cases, progress toward use in cell therapy. S tem C ells T ranslational M edicine 2017;6:1316–1320