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Phenotypic and Functional Characterization of Endothelial Colony Forming Cells Derived from Human Umbilical Cord Blood
Published on: April 13, 2012
CD34+/CD133- circulating endothelial precursor cells (CEP): characterization, senescence and in vivo application
Gerold Untergasser1, Ruth Koeck, Dominik Wolf
1Tumor Biology and Angiogenesis Laboratory, Division of Haematology and Oncology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria. gerold.untergasser@uibk.ac.at
Experimental Gerontology
|May 16, 2006
Summary
Circulating endothelial precursor cells (CEP) are easily expanded and retain an endothelial phenotype. These cells home to ischemic tissue, suggesting their potential for treating ischemic diseases and targeting tumors.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Circulating endothelial precursor cells (CEP) show therapeutic potential for ischemic diseases and tumor applications.
- Isolation and expansion of CEP are crucial for their clinical utility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To isolate and characterize a homogeneous population of CEP from peripheral blood.
- To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo behavior of expanded CEP for therapeutic applications.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of CEP from CD34(+)/CD133(-) peripheral blood cells.
- Expansion of CEP on collagen-type-I coated plates.
- Phenotypic characterization using endothelial cell markers and functional assays (lectin binding, LDL uptake, tube formation).
- Assessment of senescence and karyotype stability during expansion.
- In vivo homing studies in nude rats with induced ischemia.
Main Results:
- A homogeneous CEP population was isolated and easily expanded, maintaining an endothelial phenotype and normal karyotype.
- Expanded CEP exhibited functional characteristics of mature endothelial cells, including Weibel-Palade body formation.
- CEP cultures entered terminal growth arrest with senescence markers after extensive expansion.
- In vivo studies demonstrated CEP's capacity to home to ischemic tissues.
Conclusions:
- Autologous CEP cultures offer a convenient, safe, and promising cell source for therapeutic strategies.
- The functional senescence program and homing capacity of CEP support their use in targeting ischemic tissues and tumors.
