[Research on induced differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into vascular endothelial cells].

AIM: To analyze gene expression difference between human mesenchymal stem cells and umbilical vein endothelial cells, to discuss the feasibility of inducing hMSCs to differentiate into endothelial cells through in vitro gene transfection as well as the use and prospective as a seeding cell source of vascular tissue engineering.

METHODS: hMSCs and hUVECs were isolated, expanded in culture, and characterized by flow-cytometry, immunocytochemistry, immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Differential analysis of gene expression profiles between them was performed by Biostar H-40 cDNA microarrays. The properties of VEGF 165 transfected were also detected with RT-PCR, ELISA et al.

RESULTS: Nearly 86% genes were coexpressed in both cells and hMSCs expressed typical endothelial antigen marker of EC. After VEGF165 transfection, hMSCs (or committed hMSCs) were positive for CD31. To different extent, the expression of CD44 was down regulated and CD34, FVIIIAg, Flt-1 up regulated.

CONCLUSION: Generation of functional EC or tissue engineered blood vessels from human MSCs is feasible utilizing an in vitro environment gene transfection.