Fibronectin promotes VEGF-induced CD34 cell differentiation into endothelial cells

E S Wijelath, S Rahman, J Murray, Y Patel, G Savidge, M Sobel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

162 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Adult endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) may be a useful source for engineering the endothelialization of vascular grafts. However, the optimal factors that promote differentiation of EPCs into endothelium remain to be elucidated. The goal of this current report was to determine which extracellular matrix (ECM) protein might modulate or enhance the effects of EPCs on differentiation into mature endothelium. METHODS: Human EPCs (CD34(+) cells) were cultured in ECM-coated six-well plates in MCDB-131 medium containing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor-1, and basic fibroblast growth factor. After 21 days, differentiated endothelial colonies were confirmed by immunofluorescence for von Willebrand factor (vWF) and vascular-endothelial (VE)-cadherin and mRNA expression of the endothelial markers Flk-1, vWF, and VE-cadherin. Cell migration toward the VEGF-matrix protein combinations was also measured. RESULTS: As judged by positive staining for endothelial markers vWF and VE-cadherin, the combination of VEGF with fibronectin (FN) produced significantly more endothelial colonies (P
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)655 - 660
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Vascular Surgery
Volume39
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2004

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Fibronectin promotes VEGF-induced CD34 cell differentiation into endothelial cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this