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Updated: May 19, 2026

Isolation of Perivascular Multipotent Precursor Cell Populations from Human Cardiac Tissue
Published on: October 8, 2016
Perivascular cells for regenerative medicine
Mihaela Crisan1, Mirko Corselli, William C W Chen
1Erasmus MC Stem Cell Institute, Department of Cell Biology, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC) originate from perivascular cells like pericytes and adventitial cells. Purified perivascular cells offer enhanced benefits for regenerative medicine, potentially enabling uncultured cell therapy.
Area of Science:
- Cell biology
- Regenerative medicine
- Stem cell research
Background:
- Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC) are key for regenerative medicine but are heterogeneous.
- MSC are derived from two perivascular cell types: pericytes and adventitial cells.
- Better characterization of MSC precursors is needed for therapeutic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize pericytes and adventitial cells as sources of MSC.
- To evaluate the potential of these purified perivascular cells in regenerative medicine.
- To explore the possibility of using uncultured perivascular cells for therapy.
Main Methods:
- Prospective purification of perivascular cells using specific cell surface markers (CD146, PDGFRβ, CD34).
- Analysis of pericyte markers (NG2, αSMA) and adventitial cell markers.
- Assessment of differentiation capacity towards osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic lineages in vitro.
Main Results:
- Pericytes express CD146 and PDGFRβ, lack hematopoietic/endothelial markers, and NG2 is specific to arterial pericytes.
- Adventitial cells express CD34, lack αSMA and hematopoietic/endothelial markers.
- Both pericytes and adventitial cells exhibit MSC markers and differentiation potential; adventitial cells can become pericyte-like.
- Purified perivascular cells show promise for regenerative medicine, including uncultured applications.
Conclusions:
- Pericytes and adventitial cells are distinct perivascular precursors of MSC.
- Purified perivascular cells offer advantages over heterogeneous MSC for regenerative medicine.
- The use of uncultured perivascular cells represents a significant advancement in cell therapy.
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