title: Functional endothelial cells derived from rhesus monkey embryonic stem cells.
abstract: We have used rhesus monkey embryonic stem (ES) cells to study endothelial cell development. Rhesus ES cells (R366.4 cell line) exposed to medium containing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) assumed a relatively uniform endothelial cell morphology and could be propagated and expanded with a consistent phenotype and normal karyotype. When placed in Matrigel, these rhesus ES cell-derived endothelial cells (RESDECs) formed capillary-like structures characteristic of endothelial cells. Immunohistochemical and flow cytometric analysis of RESDECs showed that they take up acetylated low-density lipoprotein (LDL), express CD146, von Willebrand factor, and the integrin alpha v beta 3, and bind the lectin ulex europaeus agglutinin-1. These cells also express the VEGF receptor Flk-1 and secrete VEGF. When introduced in a Matrigel plug implanted subcutaneously in mice, RESDECs formed intact vessels and recruited new endothelial cell growth. In vivo function was demonstrated by coinjection of RESDECs with murine tumor cells subcutaneously into immunocompromised adult mice. RESDECs injected alone did not form measurable tumors. Tumor cells grew more rapidly and had increased vascularization when coinjected with the RESDECs. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that the RESDECs participated in forming the tumor neovasculature. RESDECs provide a novel means to examine the mechanisms of endothelial cell development, and may open up new therapeutic strategies.
authors.affiliation: Wisconsin Priamte Research Center, Laboratory of Developmental Biology and Department of Anatamy, University of Wisconsin, Madison, USA. kaufm020@umn.edu
authors.forename: Dan S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Kaufman
authors.forename: Rachel L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Eric T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Hanson
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Auerbach
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Plendl
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Thomson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D002460:Cell Line; D003094:Collagen; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology*; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000494:pharmacology; D007797:Laminin; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D051379:Mice; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology; D011509:Proteoglycans; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000166:cytology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004338:Drug Combinations; D007797:Laminin; D011509:Proteoglycans; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; C059485:matrigel; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D003094:Collagen