Morphology
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Elongated and spindle shape
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Cobblestone appearance
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Appearance in culture
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4–7 days of culture
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2–4 weeks
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Purity
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Heterogeneous group of cells that differentiate from hemangioblasts to mature endothelial cells
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Homogeneous and well differentiated. Derived mainly from “early” EPC
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Life span
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3–4 weeks
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Up to 12 weeks
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Proliferation potential
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Low compared to “late” EPCs
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Highly proliferating
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Gene expression
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Week expression of VE-cadherin and KDR. The level of Flt-1 expression elevated
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Strong expression of VE-cadherin, Flt-1, KDR, and e-NOS, vWF
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eNOS expression
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Less competent endothelial function producing nitric oxide
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High competent endothelial function producing nitric oxide
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