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Updated: Jul 17, 2026
Comparison of Two Representative Methods for Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Published on: October 20, 2023
Characterization of endothelial-like cells derived from human mesenchymal stem cells
J W Liu1, S Dunoyer-Geindre, V Serre-Beinier
1Division of Angiology and Hemostasis, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
Background:
Blood-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) have been used to treat ischemic disease. However, the number of EPC that can be obtained from adult blood is limited.
Objective:
To characterize endothelial-like cells obtained from human bone marrow and determine their ability to stimulate new blood vessel formation in vivo.
Methods:
Mononuclear cells (MNC) were isolated from human bone marrow or umbilical cord blood and cultured in endothelial growth medium (EGM-2). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) were isolated from bone marrow and induced to differentiate into endothelial-like cells (MSCE), or adipocytes or osteocytes by growth in EGM-2, adipogenic or osteogenic medium.
Results:
Cells obtained by culturing bone marrow MNC in EGM-2 formed cord- or tube-like structures when grown on Matrigel(TM) and expressed several endothelial marker proteins. However, cell morphology and the profile of endothelial marker protein expression were different from those of cord blood-derived EPC (cbEPC). Cells with a similar phenotype were obtained by differentiation of MSC into MSCE, which was accompanied by an increase of endothelial marker proteins and a diminished capacity to differentiate into adipocytes. Subcutaneous implantation of MSCE in collagen plugs in non-obese diabetic-severe combined immunodeficient (NOD-SCID) mice resulted in formation of functional blood vessels that had incorporated the MSCE.
Conclusions:
Our results show that MSCE and cbEPC are different cell types. The formation of functional blood vessels by MSCE, combined with high yields and a reduced capacity to differentiate into other cell types compared with MSC, makes these cells potentially useful for autologous therapy of ischemic disease.
