Endothelial cells from hematopoietic stem cells are functionally different from those of human umbilical vein

Abstract

Hematopoietic stem cells have a remarkable plastic capacity, which allows them to differentiate into various cells, such as immune cells, nervous cells, muscle cells, bone and cartilaginous cells. The aim of this study was to show the capacity of stem cells to differentiate into endothelial cells, in culture, after addition of endothelial cells growth suplement (ECGS). We also compared the behavior of these cells with that of endothelial cells obtained from human umbilical vein (HUVEC). CD34+ cells obtained by immunomagnetic separation from human umbilical cord and placental blood were used. After 12‐15 days of culture in a medium containing ECGS, the cells showed morphological changes characteristic to endothelial cells and immunocytochemical analysis revealed the presence of CD31 surface antigen and von Willebrand factor. The flow‐cytometric analysis of endothelial cells adhesion molecules (ECAM) showed that endothelial cells derived from CD34+ cells expressed CD54/ICAM‐1 9.65 ± 0.2% and CD106/VCAM 7.73±0.3%, values similar to those expressed by HUVECs. After TNF incubation, ECAM expression increased only in HUVECs. These data demonstrate that a fraction of circulating CD34+ cells may develop some endothelial cell characteristics when cultured with ECGS, but they are functionally different from HUVECs.

Effect of high-dose dexamethasone on endothelial haemostatic gene expression and neutrophil adhesion

“…These findings may well be explained by a dose-dependent mechanism, which varies according to studies and different cell types. It has been shown that endothelial cells in different anatomic regions of the same patient are structurally and functionally dissimilar [43][44][45][46]. This regional endothelial cell dysfunction may be the disease pathway for several different disease processes where systemic genetic profiles interact with regional endothelial gene function and protein expression.…”

Adult endothelial progenitor cells from human peripheral blood maintain monocyte/macrophage function throughout in vitro culture

“…Several groups have reported that EPC-derived cells cannot function as mature ECs. Paunescu et al [26] documented that EPCs from human umbilical cord blood differed functionally from HUVECs, as the former show a different reaction to TNF compared with mature ECs. Another study demonstrated that bone marrow-derived cells may not be incorporated into the vessel wall in vivo but only promote angiogenesis by excretion of certain factors, such as FGF-2, VEGF and MCP-1 [27].…”

Isolation and Characterization of Human Bone-Derived Endothelial Cells

“…Croix et al 2000). Heterogeneity of ECs according to tissuespecific vascular-bed hemostasis has become an accepted concept in vascular biology (Aird 2003;Paunescu et al 2003;Garlanda and Dejana 1997). Hence, it seems to be more appropriate to study specifically ECs isolated from the affected tissue in a vascular disease state rather than using primary endothelial cells from another origin, such as HUVECs, or an EC line.…”