BACKGROUND: Blood-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) have been used to treat @entity63 . However, the number of EPC that can be obtained from adult blood is limited. OBJECTIVE: To characterize endothelial-like cells obtained from @entity1 bone marrow and determine their ability to stimulate new blood vessel formation in vivo. METHODS: Mononuclear cells (MNC) were isolated from @entity1 bone marrow or umbilical cord blood and cultured in endothelial growth medium (EGM-2). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) were isolated from bone marrow and induced to differentiate into endothelial-like cells (MSCE), or adipocytes or osteocytes by growth in EGM-2, adipogenic or osteogenic medium. RESULTS: Cells obtained by culturing bone marrow MNC in EGM-2 formed cord- or tube-like structures when grown on Matrigel(TM) and expressed several endothelial marker proteins. However, cell morphology and the profile of endothelial marker protein expression were different from those of cord blood-derived EPC (cbEPC). Cells with a similar phenotype were obtained by differentiation of MSC into MSCE, which was accompanied by an increase of endothelial marker proteins and a diminished capacity to differentiate into adipocytes. Subcutaneous implantation of MSCE in collagen plugs in non-obese @entity6 -severe combined @entity465 (NOD- @entity915 ) @entity19 resulted in formation of functional blood vessels that had incorporated the MSCE. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that MSCE and cbEPC are different cell types. The formation of functional blood vessels by MSCE, combined with high yields and a reduced capacity to differentiate into other cell types compared with MSC, makes these cells potentially useful for autologous therapy of @entity63 .

Characterization of endothelial-like cells derived from XXXX mesenchymal stem cells.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['human'] @entity6 :: ('MESH:D003920', 'Disease') :: ['diabetic'] @entity63 :: ('MESH:D007511', 'Disease') :: ['ischemic disease'] @entity19 :: ('10090', 'Species') :: ['mice'] @entity915 :: ('MESH:D053632', 'Disease') :: ['SCID'] @entity465 :: ('MESH:D007153', 'Disease') :: ['immunodeficient']
@entity1 :: (9606,Species) :: ['human']
