title: Direct cell-cell contact between mesenchymal stem cells and endothelial progenitor cells induces a pericyte-like phenotype in vitro.
abstract: Tissue engineering techniques for the regeneration of large bone defects require sufficient vascularisation of the applied constructs to ensure a sufficient supply of oxygen and nutrients. In our previous work, prevascularised 3D scaffolds have been successfully established by coculture of bone marrow derived stem cells (MSCs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). We identified stabilising pericytes (PCs) as part of newly formed capillary-like structures. In the present study, we report preliminary data on the interactions between MSCs and EPCs, leading to the differentiation of pericyte-like cells. MSCs and EPCs were seeded in transwell cultures, direct cocultures, and single cultures. Cells were cultured for 10 days in IMDM 10% FCS or IMDM 5% FCS 5% platelet lysate medium. Gene expression of PC markers, CD146, NG2, αSMA, and PDGFR-β, was analysed using RT-PCR at days 0, 3, 7, and 10. The upregulation of CD146, NG2, and αSMA in MSCs in direct coculture with EPCs advocates the MSCs' differentiation towards a pericyte-like phenotype in vitro. These results suggest that pericyte-like cells derive from MSCs and that cell-cell contact with EPCs is an important factor for this differentiation process. These findings emphasise the concept of coculture strategies to promote angiogenesis for cell-based tissue engineered bone grafts.
authors.affiliation: AO Research Institute Davos, Clavadelerstrasse 8, 7270 Davos, Switzerland ; Department of Trauma Surgery, Regensburg University Medical Center, 93042 Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Markus
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-7631-0476
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Loibl
authors.affiliation: AO Research Institute Davos, Clavadelerstrasse 8, 7270 Davos, Switzerland ; Department of Trauma Surgery, Regensburg University Medical Center, 93042 Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-3452-2830
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Binder
authors.affiliation: AO Research Institute Davos, Clavadelerstrasse 8, 7270 Davos, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Marietta
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2412-7474
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Herrmann
authors.affiliation: AO Research Institute Davos, Clavadelerstrasse 8, 7270 Davos, Switzerland ; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Albert-Ludwigs-University, 79106 Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Fabian
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6452-7560
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Duttenhoefer
authors.affiliation: AO Research Institute Davos, Clavadelerstrasse 8, 7270 Davos, Switzerland.
authors.forename: R Geoff
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, Regensburg University Medical Center, 93042 Regensburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nerlich
authors.affiliation: AO Research Institute Davos, Clavadelerstrasse 8, 7270 Davos, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alini
authors.affiliation: AO Research Institute Davos, Clavadelerstrasse 8, 7270 Davos, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-2478-2804
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Verrier
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000941:Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D051929:CD146 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D003470:Culture Media / Q000494:pharmacology; D066026:Endothelial Progenitor Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D020286:Pericytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010641:Phenotype; D011509:Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult; D000099216:Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan 4
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D000941:Antigens; D015415:Biomarkers; D051929:CD146 Antigen; D003470:Culture Media; D011509:Proteoglycans; D000099216:Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycan 4; C541116:ACTA2 protein, human