UIC-2007-035 – Form and function of bone marrow derived from endothelial progenitor cells, their potential use in cell-based therapies for regenerative and reparative medicine, and as an aid for tumor cell killing and drug screening

Cell therapy technologies and methods have already started to play an important role in the practice of medicine. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is replacing the old fashioned bone marrow transplants. Cell therapy technologies overlap with those of gene therapy, cancer vaccines, drug delivery, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The inventors have identified a way to use bone marrow derived endothelial progenitor cells for use in cell-based therapy ranging from reparative medicine to drug screening. Endothelial Progenitor cells (EPC) express a subject of integrins and fibronectin, proteins that make them adhesion-competent cells. Addition of EPC to endothelial cells activates Rho GTPase to promote cell retraction. This event allows EPCs to interact with underlying extracelluar matrix proteins that result in EPC ligation, – processes that promotes wound repair. Veronica Haywood vhaywo2@uic.otm.edu 312-996-4865