Erythropoietin Promotes the Protective Properties of Transplanted Endothelial Progenitor Cells Against Acute Lung Injury via PI3K/Akt Pathway

Abstract

Transplanted EPCs directly incorporated into the injured pulmonary vessels and maintain the integrity of pulmonary endothelium. Erythropoietin improved the survival and proliferation of transplanted EPCs and recruited them to the injured sites to exert their repairing functions. PI3K/Akt pathway mediated EPO's functions on EPCs. The combination of EPO and EPC treatment may be a promising cell-based therapy for ALI patients.