Using a growth factor to stimulate production of circulating endothelial progenitor cells increases the numbers of these vascular regenerative cells, improves mobility, and potentially could improve blood vessel function in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
Scientists at Emory University will present results of a recent clinical trial with endothelial progenitor cells and PAD at the American College of Cardiology Meeting in Atlanta.
Scientists have discovered recently that a healthy crop of circulating endothelial progenitor cells PP the stem, or precursor cells to those that line the insides of blood vessels PP is essential to a person's overall cardiovascular health and unimpeded blood circulation. Endothelial cells enable communication between the vessels themselves and circulating blood cells, allowing the blood to flow smoothly.
Individuals with PAD have decreased blood flow to the muscles of the legs, caused by the blockage or narrowing of the arteries, often leading to intermittent pain during walking. Recent studies show that when muscles do not receive enough blood, the body makes its own growth factors that stimulate the bone marrow to release endothelial progenitor cells that home to the damaged vessels and either make new blood vessels or repair the damaged ones.
The Emory scientists hypothesized that if the body uses its own growth factors to stimulate production of endothelial progenitor cells, then endothelial dysfunction in PAD would improve if additional progenitor cells were mobilized through a boost from growth factor therapy.