title: Isolation and characterization of endothelial progenitor cells from Rhesus monkeys.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are increasingly becoming a major focus of regenerative medicine research and practice. The present study was undertaken to establish an appropriate procedure for isolation and characterization of EPCs from Rhesus monkeys for regenerative medicine research.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Selective CD34+ and nonselective mononuclear EPCs were isolated from bone marrow and cultured under varying conditions. The results showed that nonselective mononuclear EPCs were a better choice for high yield of the target cells. The cells grew in M 200 better than in EGM-2, and supplementation with fetal bovine serum promoted cell proliferation; but serum level at 7.5% was better than at 10%. In addition, surface coating of the culture dishes with human fibronectin significantly improved the proliferation and ontogeny of the isolated EPCs. Immunocytochemistry including detection of markers CD34, CD133 and CD31 and double-staining for Ac-LDL and lectin verified the purity of the cultured mononuclear EPCs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By a thorough analysis, we established a practical procedure for isolation and propagation of EPCs from Rhesus monkeys. This procedure would help using these valuable cells for regenerative medicine research.
authors.affiliation: Regenerative Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041 China.
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Regenerative Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041 China.
authors.forename: Lily
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Regenerative Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041 China.
authors.forename: Pengfei
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Regenerative Medicine Research Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610041 China.
authors.forename: Y James
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Kang
keywords: Cell culture; Cell proliferation; Characterization; EPCs; Isolation; Monkey