Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 9, 2026
09:03
Monitoring Functionality and Morphology of Vasculature Recruited by Factors Secreted by Fast-growing Tumor-generating Cells
Published on: November 23, 2014
Murine epidermal side population possesses unique angiogenic properties
Christopher C Oberley1, Francoise Gourronc, Shinkai Hakimi
1The Department of Dermatology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
Experimental Cell Research
|December 11, 2007
Summary
Epidermal stem/progenitor cells (EpSPs) promote blood flow restoration in ischemic limbs by secreting pro-angiogenic factors like VEGF. This study reveals their unique angiogenic properties, explaining their therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Angiogenesis Research
Background:
- Epidermal keratinocytes are heterogeneous, comprising stem/progenitor cells (EpSPs) and differentiated cells (Non-SP).
- Previous studies indicated EpSPs enhance blood flow restoration in ischemic limbs, but mechanisms were unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate in vitro angiogenic properties of epidermal subpopulations.
- Elucidate the mechanisms by which EpSPs promote blood flow restoration in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Migration assays and capillary network formation assays were used to assess angiogenic potential in vitro.
- Conditioned media from EpSPs, Non-SP cells, unsorted keratinocytes, and fibroblasts were analyzed for pro-angiogenic factors.
- RT-PCR and gene array analyses were performed on EpSPs and cells from ischemic limb models.
Main Results:
- EpSPs secreted significantly higher levels of pro-angiogenic molecules compared to other cell types.
- Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was notably elevated in EpSP-conditioned medium.
- EpSPs exhibited a unique angiogenic gene expression profile, with significant changes observed in vivo post-injection.
Conclusions:
- Epidermal stem/progenitor cells possess distinct angiogenic properties.
- These properties are mediated by the secretion of pro-angiogenic factors, including VEGF.
- EpSPs may be indirectly responsible for enhanced blood flow restoration in ischemic limb models.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Clinical Applications of Epidermal Stem Cells
Epidermal stem cells (EpiSCs) are mainly located at the basal layer of the epidermis. These cells repair minor injuries of the skin and replace dead skin cells. However, EpiSCs’ cannot heal severe wounds such as major burns or those from diabetes or hereditary disorders. In such cases, culturing the epidermal stem cells from the patient is possible and has yielded successful treatment options, such as laboratory-grown skin grafts. These grafts are synthesized using a patient’s own EpiSCs...
01:24Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply
Rapidly dividing tumors, embryos, and wounded tissues require more oxygen than usual, lowering the oxygen concentration in the blood. At low oxygen or hypoxic conditions, an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor called the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 or HIF1 is activated. HIF1 is a dimeric protein of alpha (ɑ) and beta (β) subunits. Under optimal oxygen conditions, HIF1β is present in the nucleus while HIF1ɑ remains in the cytosol. HIF1ɑ is hydroxylated by prolyl hydroxylase and factor...
01:10Mechanism of Angiogenesis
Blood vessel formation starts early during embryonic development, around day 7. In the extraembryonic yolk sac, mesodermal precursor cells called hemangioblast proliferate and differentiate into angioblast. Angioblasts express vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 or VEGFR2, which binds VEGF-A, a proangiogenic factor, guiding blood vessel formation. VEGF signaling promotes angioblasts to form a blood island in the developing embryo. Angioblasts further differentiate, giving rise to...