BACKGROUND: Endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs), a subtype of endothelial progenitor cells, have been studied as a promising cellular source for therapeutic angiogenesis. Although ECFCs are very similar to mature endothelial cells, details regarding the role of ECFCs during angiogenesis are not known. We compared the cellular and angiogenic properties of ECFCs and mature endothelial cells (HUVECs). METHODS: HUVECs were used as control. Quantitative RT-PCR, western blotting, immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometric analyses and angiogenic cytokine array were performed. 3D-microfluidic angiogenesis assay system was adopted for in vitro angiogenic potential. In vivo angiogenic potential was assessed by Matrigel plug assay. RESULTS: ECFCs had higher expression of activated endothelial tip cell markers ( @entity22491 , @entity436 , @entity2280 , and @entity4725 ) and arterial genes ( @entity22491 and @entity8439 ), but lower expression of venous and lymphatic genes ( @entity14373 and @entity18262 ). In 3D-microfluidic angiogenesis assay system, ECFCs induced robust sprouting vascular structures. Co-cultivation of both ECFCs and HUVECs gave rise to lumen-formed hybrid vascular structures, with the resulting ECFCs predominantly localized to the tip portion. This finding suggests that the ECFC has a role as a sprouting endothelial tip cell. Interestingly, @entity7 phosphorylated @entity319 and its downstream signaling molecules more strongly in ECFCs than in HUVECs. Even small amount of @entity7 successfully induced the sprouting angiogenesis of ECFCs. Finally, co-administration of ECFCs and @entity1 dermal fibroblasts successfully induced lumen-formed maturated neovessels in vivo. CONCLUSION: ECFCs derived from adult peripheral blood had enhanced sprouting angiogenic potential in vitro and in vivo through up-regulation of the @entity319 signaling pathway.

@entity1 endothelial colony forming cells from adult peripheral blood have enhanced sprouting angiogenic potential through up-regulating XXXX signaling.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['human'] @entity18262 :: ('5629', 'Gene') :: ['PROX1'] @entity7 :: ('7422', 'Gene') :: ['VEGF-A'] @entity8439 :: ('2702', 'Gene') :: ['CX40'] @entity319 :: ('3791', 'Gene') :: ['VEGFR2'] @entity14373 :: ('7026', 'Gene') :: ['COUP-TFII'] @entity22491 :: ('54567', 'Gene') :: ['Dll4', 'DLL4'] @entity4725 :: ('7412', 'Gene') :: ['VCAM1'] @entity2280 :: ('947', 'Gene') :: ['CD34'] @entity436 :: ('7852', 'Gene') :: ['CXCR4']
@entity319 :: (3791,Gene) :: ['VEGFR2']
