Endothelial progenitor cells may inhibit apoptosis of pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells: new insights into cell therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension

The VEGF-A/B-VEGFR-1/2-Erk1/2 signal pathway took major responsibility for the anti-apoptotic effects of EPC on PMVEC, and VEGF-A-VEGFR-2-Akt for pro-proliferating effects. Growth factors, secreted in a paracrine manner by transplanted EPC, inhibited cell apoptosis in PAH lung.