Endothelial cell transplantation.

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Endothelial cells line the lumenal surface of all elements of the vascular system. These cells exhibit numerous metabolic functions necessary for the maintenance of homeostasis. The critical role of endothelium in maintaining normal blood vessel function is exemplified by the poor clinical performance of small diameter polymeric vascular grafts which fail due, in part, to the lack of a functional endothelium on the lumenal surface. Extensive research has explored the potentiality of transplanting endothelial cells onto polymeric vascular grafts to improve graft function. Several critical issues have been explored including the source of endothelial cells for transplantation, the interaction of endothelium with polymers and the healing process of endothelial cell transplanted grafts. The future of endothelial cell transplantation will also include the use of these cells as vehicles for genetic engineering.

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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