Endothelial progenitor cells （EPCs） exist in bone marrow, umbilical cord blood and peripheral blood of adult mammals, including humans. Furthermore, the discovery of EPCs has led to the notion of adult vasculogenesis, in which bone marrow (BM)-derived EPCs home to and incorporate into sites of new blood vessel formation, where they differentiate into endothelial cells, which is consistent with postnatal vasculogenesis. It has become apparent that circulating BM-derived EPCs are involved in promoting physiologic andpathologic neovascularization, such as wound healing and tumor growth. They are of great clinical importance in pro-or anti-angiogenic therapies.
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