A fibrin antibody binding to fibronectin induces potent inhibition of angiogenesis.

Antiserum from rabbits immunised with pure human fibrinogen was affinity purified on immobilised fibrin fragment E (FFE). This FFE antibody (Ab) induced significant growth inhibition of a human cancer xenograft in mice and suppression of tumour angiogenesis, leaving no formed vessels and only CD31-staining endothelial fragments in place. Tubule formation of HUVEC on MatrigelTM was also significantly inhibited by FFE Ab.

Instruction of circulating endothelial progenitors in vitro towards specialized blood-brain barrier and arterial phenotypes.

Objective: The vascular system is adapted to specific functions in different tissues and organs. Vascular endothelial cells are important elements of this adaptation, leading to the concept of 'specialized endothelial cells'. The phenotype of these cells is highly dependent on their specific microenvironment and when isolated and cultured, they lose their specific features after few passages, making models using such cells poorly predictive and irreproducible.

In vitro and in vivo analysis of endothelial progenitor cells from cryopreserved umbilical cord blood: are we ready for clinical application?

Umbilical cord blood (CB) represents a main source of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (cEPCs). In view of their clinical use, in either the autologous or allogeneic setting, cEPCs should likely be expanded from CB kept frozen in CB banks. In this study, we compared the expansion, functional features, senescence pattern over culture, and in vivo angiogenic potential of cEPCs isolated from fresh or cryopreserved CB (cryoCB).

[Cord blood circulating endothelial progenitors: perspectives for clinical use in cardiovascular diseases].

The discovery of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in adult peripheral blood has opened up many exciting possibilities in vascular biology. Several studies have confirmed the existence of EPCs, as well as their bone marrow origin and their ability to integrate into vascular structures at sites of neoangiogenesis. EPCs appear to be naturally involved in the prevention of ischemia by participating directly in the vascularization process.

Impact of age and gender interaction on circulating endothelial progenitor cells in healthy subjects.

Objective: To assess the level of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (CEPC) in cycling women compared with men and menopausal women.

Design: Controlled clinical study.

Setting: Healthy, nonsmoking volunteers.