After further exploration, they put forward the idea that secretion of growth factors and cytokines by EPCs, including EGF, bFGF, VEGF, IL-6, IL-8, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and platelet-derived growth factor-AA (PDGF-AA), may account for the main therapeutic effect.46 EPCs display endothelial-like characteristics, and their neovascularization effect seemed to be particularly suited in improving microcirculation in the management of diabetic foot ulcer. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is diabetic foot.