title: Characterization of endothelial-like cells derived from human mesenchymal stem cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Blood-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) have been used to treat ischemic disease. However, the number of EPC that can be obtained from adult blood is limited.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To characterize endothelial-like cells obtained from human bone marrow and determine their ability to stimulate new blood vessel formation in vivo.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mononuclear cells (MNC) were isolated from human bone marrow or umbilical cord blood and cultured in endothelial growth medium (EGM-2). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) were isolated from bone marrow and induced to differentiate into endothelial-like cells (MSCE), or adipocytes or osteocytes by growth in EGM-2, adipogenic or osteogenic medium.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cells obtained by culturing bone marrow MNC in EGM-2 formed cord- or tube-like structures when grown on Matrigel(TM) and expressed several endothelial marker proteins. However, cell morphology and the profile of endothelial marker protein expression were different from those of cord blood-derived EPC (cbEPC). Cells with a similar phenotype were obtained by differentiation of MSC into MSCE, which was accompanied by an increase of endothelial marker proteins and a diminished capacity to differentiate into adipocytes. Subcutaneous implantation of MSCE in collagen plugs in non-obese diabetic-severe combined immunodeficient (NOD-SCID) mice resulted in formation of functional blood vessels that had incorporated the MSCE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results show that MSCE and cbEPC are different cell types. The formation of functional blood vessels by MSCE, combined with high yields and a reduced capacity to differentiate into other cell types compared with MSC, makes these cells potentially useful for autologous therapy of ischemic disease.
authors.affiliation: Division of Angiology and Hemostasis, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dunoyer-Geindre
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Serre-Beinier
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mai
authors.forename: J-F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Fish
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pernod
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Buehler
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bounameaux
authors.forename: E K O
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Kruithof
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology; D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D003094:Collagen / Q000494:pharmacology; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D007797:Laminin / Q000494:pharmacology; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000166:cytology; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D051379:Mice; D016513:Mice, SCID; D010011:Osteocytes / Q000166:cytology; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000494:pharmacology; D013234:Stem Cells; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D007797:Laminin; D011509:Proteoglycans; C059485:matrigel; D003094:Collagen