Differentiation of the Human Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Vascular Endothelium-like Cells in vitro

Aim: The two main obstacles of successfully grafting tissue engineered skin are the shortage of the resource of the seed cell and the long process of vascularization of grafted skin. This article investigates the feasibility and condition of differentiation of the human marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into the vascular endothelial-like cells in vitro. Methods: The MSCs were harvested, isolated and purified by combining density gradient centrifugation with adhering method. The cultured cells in induce group were treated with 10µg/L vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and 5µg/L basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF). No VEGF and bFGF were added in control group. The morphological changes of the cells were observed with inverted phase contrast microscope. The expression of CD34, VIII factor were determined by the immunocytochemistry methods. The transmission electron microscope was used to further explore the ultrastructure characteristics of the cultered cells. Results: The cells induced by VEGF and bFGF showed the morphological changes from long fusiform-shaped to short fusiform or flat shape, which was consistent with the significant characteristic of endothelium cells. The expression of CD34, VIII factor were positive in the induced cells, which were negative in the control group. The Weibel-Palade body could be found in the cytoplasm of some induced cells. Conclusion: Combined VEGF with bFGF can induce MSCs differentiate into vascular endothelial- like cells in vitro, which may be unfold the potential applied prospects for vascularization and application of tissue engineered skin.