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Regenerating the retinal vasculature using endothelial progenitor cells

Hypoxia‐related stimuli from oxygen‐deprived retinal neurons and glia networks can drive expression of growth factors and cytokines which induce leakage from the surviving vasculature and/or pre‐retinal and papillary neovascularisation. Current therapies for ischemic retinopathies include laser photocoagulation, injection of corticosteroids or VEGF‐antibodies and vitreoretinal surgery. Unfortunately these treatments fail to address the underlying retinal vasodegeneration and they also involve significant side effects. An alternative approach is to regenerate the retinal vasculature using endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) to promote vascular repair and reversal of ischemia. This presentation emphasises the molecular and phenotypic nature of EPCs and how they become altered in disease. There will also be discussion about the potential for some EPC sub‐types to be harnessed for cell therapy and the building evidence for how these cells could eventually lead to exciting new therapeutic options for retinal ischemia