The Geography of Vascular Stem Cells in the Human Body

Dear Colleagues,

Human angiogenesis is a highly regulated process which, in the adult organism, sees the involvement of numerous protagonists. Vascular stem cells represent an important part of this vital process that has important implications in tissue homeostasis, tissue repair and regeneration, as well as tumor growth and spread. This Special Issue intends to focus on vascular and related stem cells whose angiogenic and reparative qualities have been reported in the literature. The scope of the issue also includes those progenitors which, although they do not have a solid capacity for vascular differentiation, are located in the heart and heart valves that contribute to maintaining organ structural integrity.

Considering the literature and with the term ‘vascular stem cells’ in mind, the authors describe a broad and fragmented typology of presumed angiogenic cells, which include the circulating progenitors of endothelial cells derived from bone marrow and stem cells distributed in organs as resident tissue components; among these, mesenchymal stem/stromal cells with angiogenic potency of large- and medium-caliber vessels, pericytes of the microcirculation, and stem cells derived from adipose tissue represent the best characterized angiogenic populations; other related subpopulations are described in the normal interstitium of organs and given the name ‘telocytes’. In tissue repair processes, cell populations expressing podoplanin, a marker of lymphatic endothelial cells and whose role is still under investigation, are also described. More specific stem cells are described in the heart as cardiac stem cells where, in experimental models, they preside over the repair of injured cardiac tissue; the interstitial cells of the valves are known for their maintenance of the integrity of the valve connective tissue. Finally, within the scenario of vascular stem cells, it is necessary to include more controversial cells with a higher hierarchy, such as the very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) and the multilineage stress-differentiating Muse cells. The final aim of this Special Issue is to attempt to define the geography of vascular and related stem cells in the human body as well as their role and interconnections in order to establish a useful guide for researchers who want to devote themselves to this area of translational research.

We look forward to reading your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Gianandrea Pasquinelli
Dr. Sabrina Valente
Guest Editors

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• vascular stem cells
• mesenchymal stromal/stem cells
• endothelial progenitor cells
• pericytes
• angiogenesis
• MUSE cells