**5. Hox genes and adult stem cells**

Hox genes act as transcriptional regulators, which have been involved in the differentiation of stem cells into several lineages and different cell types. One of the main steps to initiate vasculogenesis and angiogenesis is the differentiation to endothelial lineage from pluripotent stem cells. Studies have suggested that Hox genes contribute to the differentiation of EPCs into mature endothelial cells (**Table 1**). In the next section, we will present the evidence for the role of Hox genes in the differentiation of adult stem cell.
