In vitro endothelial potential of human UC blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells.
BACKGROUND
Human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) possess powerful ex vivo expansion and versatile differentiation potential, placing themselves at the forefront of the field of stem cell-based therapy and transplantation. Of high clinical relevance is the endothelial differentiation potential of MSC, which can be used to treat various forms of ischemic vascular disease.


METHODS
We investigated whether human umbilical cord blood (UCB)-derived MSC are able to differentiate in vitro along an endothelial lineage, by using flow cytometry, RT-PCR and immunofluorescence analyzes, as well as an Ab array method.


RESULTS
When the cells were incubated for up to 3 weeks in the presence of VEGF, EGF and hydrocortisone, they began to express a variety of endothelial lineage surface markers, such as Flk-1, Flt-1, VE-Cadherin, vWF, VCAM-1, Tie-1 and Tie-2, and to secrete a specific set of cytokines. Differentiated cells were also found to be able to uptake low-density lipoprotein and form a tubular network structure.


CONCLUSIONS
These observations have led us to conclude that UCB-derived MSC retain endothelial potential that is suitable for basic and clinical studies aimed at the development of vasculature-directed regenerative medicine.
Gang
E J
EJ
Research Institute of Biotechnology, Histostem Co., Seoul, Korea.
Jeong
J A
JA
Han
S
S
Yan
Q
Q
Jeon
C-J
CJ
Kim
H
H
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D015820:Cadherins / Q000032:analysis; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000166:cytology*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology; D018969:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D042810:Receptor, TIE-1 / Q000235:genetics; D042787:Receptor, TIE-2 / Q000235:genetics; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000494:pharmacology; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000032:analysis; D000099152:Cadherin 5
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015820:Cadherins; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D016207:Cytokines; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D018969:Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D042810:Receptor, TIE-1; D042787:Receptor, TIE-2; D019714:Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D040281:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2; D014841:von Willebrand Factor; D000099152:Cadherin 5; C111835:CCL2 protein, human; C032629:acetyl-LDL; C501162:FLT1 protein, human