Properties of endothelial cells

Mariona Graupera

Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, Badalona, Spain

Endothelial cells line the blood vessels, which supply nutrients and oxygen to the body's cells. When this supply is insufficient, endothelial cells are activated and form new vessels in a process called angiogenesis. However, in diseases such as ischaemic heart disease, heart attack, strokes and metabolic diseases or in ageing, this process fails. For the time being, the reasons that prevent it from starting are unknown.

Until now, the prevailing theory has been that any endothelial cell is capable of multiplying in response to tissue damage. However, in previous studies, the project team has observed that only a small group of endothelial cells retains the ability to proliferate in response to certain signals, and it is these cells that are responsible for sustaining tissue growth and generation.

Now, in the new project, by means of new DNA labelling techniques, the researchers seek to identify and characterise this group of cells that retain the regenerative properties that facilitate angiogenesis. The knowledge gained has implications for tissue engineering and opens the door to the development of new therapeutic strategies for diseases involving poor vascularisation.

• Rui Miguel Benedito, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (CNIC), Madrid, Spain

• Alejo Rodriguez-Fraticelli, Fundació Institut de Recerca Biomèdica (IRB Barcelona), Spain

Applying DNA and optical barcoding to study endothelial progenitor cells in physiology and disease

€999,918.00