Angiogenesis. 2026 Oct 25;29(4):81. doi: 10.1007/s10456-026-10103-2.
ABSTRACT
Endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) are endothelial progenitor cells characterized by robust proliferative and vasculogenic capacities, making them promising candidates for therapeutic tissue revascularization. However, the clinical application of ECFCs is hindered by their functional impairment under pathological conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Accumulating evidence indicates that aberrant epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA-mediated regulation, have been implicated in disease-associated ECFC dysfunction. In this review, we summarize current insights into the epigenetic regulation of ECFCs in pathological contexts, discuss epigenetic intervention strategies aimed at restoring ECFC function, and further highlight the therapeutic potential of ECFC-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) as carriers of epigenetic cargo that promotes vascular repair. Collectively, a deeper understanding of the epigenetic landscape of ECFCs and ECFC-derived EVs may facilitate the development of novel therapeutic approaches for vascular regeneration and accelerate the clinical translation of ECFC- and EV-based therapies.
PMID:42927513 | DOI:10.1007/s10456-026-10103-2