Cytokine Production by Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells before and after G-CSF Mobilization

Objective: Bone marrow-derived circulating endothelial cells (EPCs) may migrate in ischemia zone, to stimulate resident progenitor cells to proliferation, differentiation and migration in a damage zone, and reduce an ischemia zone through formation of new vessels. Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G- CSF) is well established to mobilize hematopoietic stem cells and might, thereby, also increase the pool of endogenously circulating EPCs. EPCs secrete pro-angiogenic factors. Therefore, we investigated the effects of G-CSF administration on mobilization and functional activities of bloodderived EPC in patients with chronic ischemic heart disease (CIHD).