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Table 1 Cell surface markers that functionally define EPCs

From: Endothelial progenitor cell biology in disease and tissue regeneration

Surface Markers

Function

Cell Expression

CD34

Glycoprotein important for cell-cell adhesion, maintenance of stem cells in bonemarrow, mediates attachment of leukocytes to high endothelial venules [57]

Hemangioblasts, Endothelial Progenitor Cells, Vascular Endothelial Cells [10]

VEGFR-1 (Flt1)

Tyrosine kinase receptor for VEGF A and B, important for endothelial cell assembly into vessels [58]

MAPC, Myelo/Monocytic Progenitors, Vascular Endothelial Cells [58]

VEGFR-2 (Flk1, KDR)

Tyrosine kinase receptor for VEGF A,C,D,&E, critical for hematopoietic and endothelial cell development, principal mediator of VEGF-A mitogenic and pro-migration ability [59]

Hemangioblasts, Endothelial Progenitor Cells, MAPC, Myelo/Monocytic Cells, Vascular Endothelial Cells, Lymphatic Endothelial Cells [10]

CD133 (Prominin 1)

Membrane glycoprotein, function unknown, serves as a marker for hematopoietic and endothelial progenitor cells [60]

Hematopoietic Cells, Endothelial Progenitor Cells [10]

CD45

Protein tyrosine phosphatase, important for lymphocyte activation via LCK and FYN [61]

Cells of Hematopoietic System [61]

VE-cadherin

Calcium dependent glycoprotein, intercellular junction protein necessary for proper vascular development [62]

Mature Endothelial Cells [62]

vWF

Secreted glycoprotein important for platelet aggregation [63]

Produced by Endothelial Cells and Megakaryocytes, Stored in Platelets [10, 63]