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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
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Isolation of Blood-vessel-derived Multipotent Precursors from Human Skeletal Muscle
Published on: August 21, 2014
A mesoderm-derived precursor for mesenchymal stem and endothelial cells.
Maxim A Vodyanik1, Junying Yu, Xin Zhang
1National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin Graduate School, Madison, 53715, USA.
Cell Stem Cell
|November 30, 2010
Summary
Researchers identified mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) originating from mesodermal cells expressing apelin receptor. These precursors form colonies that differentiate into various connective tissues, revealing a common mesenchymoangioblast precursor for mesenchymal and endothelial cells.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- The mesoderm is a key embryonic germ layer responsible for forming skeletal and connective tissues.
- Mesenchymal precursors, crucial for these tissues, have remained unidentified and uncharacterized.
- Understanding the origin of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) is vital for regenerative medicine applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize the specific precursors of mesoderm-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs).
- To investigate the differentiation potential of these identified precursors.
- To determine if a common precursor exists for both mesenchymal and endothelial cells.
Main Methods:
- Directed differentiation of human embryonic stem cells towards mesendoderm.
- Identification of precursor populations by apelin receptor expression.
- Culture of precursors in semisolid and adherent conditions to assess colony formation and differentiation potential (chondrogenic, osteogenic, adipogenic, endothelial).
- Transcriptional profiling of differentiated cells.
Main Results:
- Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) were shown to originate from mesodermal cells expressing apelin receptor.
- These apelin receptor-positive precursors formed FGF2-dependent spheroid colonies with a transcriptional profile of mesoderm-derived embryonic mesenchyme.
- Colonies yielded MSC lines with chondrogenic, osteogenic, and adipogenic potential, and endothelial cells could be derived, indicating a common mesenchymoangioblast precursor.
Conclusions:
- A specific precursor population for mesoderm-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) has been identified and characterized.
- The identified precursor exhibits potential for forming various connective tissues and shares a common origin with endothelial cells.
- The mesenchymoangioblast is identified as the common precursor for both mesenchymal and endothelial cells derived from the mesoderm.
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