Endothelial progenitor cells are associated with improved vascular repair in experimental aortic dissection

Aortic dissection (AD) is a life-threatening vascular disorder for which current mechanical interventions provide limited biological repair of the injured aortic wall. Here, we evaluated the short-term reparative potential of systemic endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) therapy in AD. We observed increased accumulation of CD34 + VEGFR2+ EPC-like cells in human AD tissues, particularly in regions of intimal injury, although these findings should be interpreted as an injury-associated tissue response rather than definitive evidence of endogenous protection. In a murine model of AD, transplanted EPCs preferentially localized to the injured aorta and were associated with reduced aortic dilation, improved re-endothelialization, and preservation of extracellular matrix architecture within the aortic wall. These findings suggest that EPC administration may support vascular repair in experimental AD during the early phase after injury. However, the relative contributions of transplanted versus endogenous EPCs, the precise mechanisms involved, and the long-term durability of repair remain to be determined. Collectively, our results provide preliminary preclinical support for further investigation of EPC-based biological strategies in AD.