[VEGF overespression promotes the proliferation and differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells]

Objective To investigate the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) overexpression on the phenotype, proliferation and multilineage differentiation ability of human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs). Methods Passage-2 hADSCs were transfected with pIRES2-EGFP-VEGF plasmid using DOTAP liposomal technique, whereas hADSCs in control group were transfected in absence of plasmid. The success of transfection was confirmed by immunofluorescent cytochemistry. Phenotype differences between the two groups were detected using flow cytometry. Proliferation ability was assessed using MTT assay. Adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation were induced and confirmed using Oil Red O staining and alizarin red staining. Results The transfected hADSCs expressed EGFP and VEGF, whereas no EGFP was observed in the untransfected hADSCs. Both groups of hADSCs showed high expressions of CD29, CD44, CD90, and low expressions of CD31 and CD45. Compared with the untransfected hADSCs, the transfected hADSCs exhibited significantly increased proliferation ability as well as the number of lipid droplets, calcium nodules, and the stained area. Conclusion VEGF overexpression promotes proliferation and multilineage differentiation potential of hADSCs without evident phenotype changes.