A subpopulation of endothelial progenitor cells with low aldehyde dehydrogenase activity attenuates acute ischemic brain injury in rats

► The administration of EPC with low aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibited the acute cerebral infarction. ► The EPC with low aldehyde dehydrogenase accumulated and migrated into the infarct area. ► The accumulation of EPC with low aldehyde dehydrogenase might be related to SDF-1/CXCR4 axis.