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Updated: Nov 25, 2025
Isolation, Expansion, and Adipogenic Induction of CD34+CD31+ Endothelial Cells from Human Omental and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue
Published on: July 17, 2018
Differentiation of Adipose Tissue-Derived CD34+/CD31- Cells into Endothelial Cells In Vitro
Anoosha Forghani1, Srinivas V Koduru2, Cong Chen1
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Millennium Science Complex, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA.
Insights
Adipose-derived CD34+/CD31- progenitor cells can differentiate into endothelial cells in vitro. These cells form stable tube-like structures, indicating potential for vascular tissue engineering.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Cell Biology
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Adipose-derived stem cells are a promising source for regenerative therapies.
- Identifying specific progenitor cell populations within adipose tissue is crucial for targeted applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the endothelial differentiation potential of CD34+/CD31- progenitor cells from adipose tissue.
- To evaluate the in vitro characteristics of these cells during endothelial differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of CD34+/CD31- progenitor cells from adipose stromal vascular fraction (SVF) via magnetic activated cell sorting.
- In vitro culture in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced medium for 14 days.
- Assessment of cell viability, proliferation, gene expression, and tube formation in 2D and 3D cultures.
Main Results:
- CD34+/CD31- cells maintained viability and showed higher proliferation in undifferentiated state.
- Upregulation of Von Willebrand Factor (vWF) and VE-Cadherin observed in 2D culture.
- PECAM (CD31) upregulation and stable tube formation occurred in 3D Matrigel culture within 24 hours.
Conclusions:
- Adipose-derived CD34+/CD31- cells differentiate into endothelial-like cells in response to VEGF.
- These cells demonstrate capacity for vascular network formation, suggesting potential in vascular regeneration.
Abstract:
In this study, CD34+/CD31- progenitor cells were isolated from the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) of adipose tissue using magnetic activated cell sorting. The endothelial differentiation capability of these cells in vitro was evaluated by culturing them in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induced medium for 14 days. Viability, proliferation, differentiation and tube formation of these cells were evaluated. Cell viability study revealed that both undifferentiated and endothelial differentiated cells remained healthy for 14 days. However, the proliferation rate was higher in undifferentiated cells compared to endothelial differentiated ones. Upregulation of endothelial characteristic genes (Von Willebrand Factor (vWF) and VE Cadherin) was observed in 2D culture. However, PECAM (CD31) was only found to be upregulated after the cells had formed tube-like structures in 3D Matrigel culture. These results indicate that adipose derived CD34+/CD31- cells when cultured in VEGF induced medium, are capable differentiation into endothelial-like lineages. Tube formation of the cells started 3h after seeding the cells on Matrigel and formed more stable and connected network 24 h post seeding in presence of VEGF.
