Model of Vasculogenesis from Embryonic Stem Cells for Vascular Research and Regenerative Medicine

Abstract

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are highlighted as promising cell sources for regenerative medicine. Here, we focused on providing the platform that forced ES cells to reproduce the vascular organization process, leading to efficiency and safety evaluation as preclinical testing of biological agents. Murine ES cell–derived embryoid bodies on matrigel, but not collagen or gelatin, could be differentiated into sprouting blood vessels without the addition of growth factors. The expression of endothelial cell marker CD31 and smooth muscle marker α-smooth muscle actin was partially colocalized and started to increase 7 days after culture on matrigel, accompanied by the induction of a number of growth factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor, fibroblast growth factor-2, hepatocyte growth factor, transforming growth factor-β, and angiopoietin-1. Moreover, notch-related genes, such as Del1 or Del4 (δ-like 1/4) and hey1 or hey2 (hairy/enhancer of split related TRPW motif 1/2), were upregulated in a similar ti...