CD34 and laryngotracheoesophageal cleft: It is known that the number, proliferation, and function of EPCs decline in patients with aging, cardiovascular risk factors, or diabetes.23–26 Recently, we reported that autologous granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF)-mobilized PB-CD34+ cell transplantation for patients with decompensated LC had therapeutic potential, but the colony-forming ability of patients with decompensated LC had been reduced.5Ex vivo expansion of autologous cells is indispensable for cell transplantation therapy of patients with chronic disease including LC.