Human endothelial cells derived from circulating progenitors display specific functional properties compared with mature vessel wall endothelial cells.

Abstract

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were shown to be present in systemic circulation and cord blood. We investigated whether EPCs display specific properties compared with mature endothelial cells. Human cord blood CD34+ cells were isolated and adherent cells were amplified under endothelial conditions. Expression of specific markers identified them as endothelial cells, also called endothelial progenitor-derived cells (EPDCs). When compared to mature endothelial cells, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human bone marrow endothelial cells (HBMECs), endothelial markers, were expressed to the same extent except for KDR, which is expressed more in EPDCs. They display a higher proliferation potential. Functional studies demonstrated that EPDCs were more sensitive to angiogenic factors, which afford these cells greater protection against cell death compared with HUVECs. Moreover, EPDCs exhibit more hematopoietic supportive activity than HUVECs. Finally, studies in nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD/SCID) mice demonstrated that human circulating EPCs are able to colonize a Matrigel plug. EPDCs display the morphology and phenotype of endothelial cells. Their functional features indicate, however, that although these cells have undergone some differentiation steps, they still have the properties of immature cells, suggesting greater tissue repair capabilities. Future use of in vitro amplified peripheral blood EPDCs may constitute a challenging strategy for cell therapy.

• Authors: Heidi Bompais, Jalila Chagraoui, Xavier Canron, Mihaela Crisan, Xu Hui Liu, Aurora Anjo, Carine Tolla-Le Port, Marylene Leboeuf, Pierre Charbord, Andreas Bikfalvi, Georges Uzan
• Journal: Blood (Blood) Vol. 103 Issue 7 Pg. 2577-84 (Apr 01 2004) ISSN: 0006-4971 [Print] United States
• PMID: 14630797 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• DNA Primers

Topics

• Animals
• Base Sequence
• Cell Culture Techniques
• Cell Differentiation (physiology)
• Cell Division
• Colony-Forming Units Assay
• DNA Primers
• Endothelium, Vascular (cytology, physiology, ultrastructure)
• Flow Cytometry
• Humans
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred NOD
• Mice, SCID
• Microscopy, Electron
• Neovascularization, Physiologic
• Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Stem Cells (cytology, ultrastructure)
• Umbilical Veins