title: [FLK-1+ cells derived from mouse fetal liver could differentiate into endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize the differential and proliferative activities of FLK-1(+) cells derived from mouse fetal liver.
  
  
  METHODS
  The FLK-1(+) fraction were enriched from the fetal liver using immunomagnetic method and their differential and proliferative activities were examined in culture medium and in vivo via transplantation of FLK-1(+) cells into the inferior pole of the spleen of nine-week-old male C57 BL/6 mice after two-thirds hepatectomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In response to growth factors, FLK-1(+) cells expressed typical lineage-specific markers for vascular endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells. Intrahepatic implantation of FLK-1(+) cells resulted in the formation of blood vessels in the fibrous capsule of partially hepatectomized liver.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that FLK-1(+) cells derived from mouse fetal liver could differentiate into endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells and they may serve as potential stem cells for clinical cell-based therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Nanchang 330006, China. jinch227@yahoo.com.cn
authors.forename: Cheng-Hao
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Yoshikazu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yonemitsu
authors.forename: Wei-Rong
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: Katsuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sueishi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005333:Fetus / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2