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Endothelial-like cells derived from human CD14 positive monocytes
B Fernandez Pujol1, F C Lucibello, U M Gehling
1Institute for Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany.
Differentiation; Research in Biological Diversity
|August 10, 2000
Summary
Human CD14-positive mononuclear cells can transform into endothelial-like cells (ELCs) with angiogenic growth factors. These ELCs express key endothelial markers and form vascular networks, suggesting a link between monocyte and endothelial cell systems.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Hematology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Mononuclear cells, specifically CD14-positive cells, are known precursors for various cell types.
- Endothelial cells form the inner lining of blood vessels and play crucial roles in vascular homeostasis.
- The potential plasticity of mononuclear cells towards endothelial lineages is an area of ongoing research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the differentiation potential of human CD14-positive mononuclear cells into endothelial-like cells (ELCs).
- To characterize the phenotypic and functional properties of these newly formed ELCs.
- To explore the relationship between monocytic and endothelial cell systems.
Main Methods:
- Culture of human CD14-positive mononuclear cells with angiogenic growth factors.
- Morphological analysis and characterization of cell surface markers using flow cytometry and electron microscopy.
- Assessment of functional properties, including network formation on fibrin gels and response to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).
Main Results:
- CD14 cells transformed into ELCs, exhibiting characteristic endothelial morphology and expressing markers such as von Willebrand factor (vWF), VE-cadherin (CD144), and endoglin (CD105).
- Electron microscopy revealed structures resembling Weibel-Palade bodies in ELCs, and these cells formed network-like structures in 3D fibrin gels.
- ELC proliferation and vWF expression were stimulated by VEGF, and adhesion molecules were inducible by TNF-alpha. Dendritic cell markers were not significantly expressed.
Conclusions:
- Human CD14-positive mononuclear cells can differentiate into endothelial-like cells under specific culture conditions.
- These findings suggest a closer relationship between the monocyte/macrophage and endothelial cell systems than previously understood.
- ELCs derived from monocytes may represent a valuable model for studying endothelial cell biology and vascular development.