Human Vascular Tissue Models Formed from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Endothelial Cells.

TitleHuman Vascular Tissue Models Formed from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Derived Endothelial Cells.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2014
AuthorsBelair DG, Whisler JA, Valdez J, Velazquez J, Molenda JA, Vickerman V, Lewis R, Daigh C, Hansen TD, Mann DA, Thomson JA, Griffith LG, Kamm RD, Schwartz MP, Murphy WL
JournalStem Cell Rev
Date Published2014 Sep 5
ISSN1558-6804
Abstract

Here we describe a strategy to model blood vessel development using a well-defined induced pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cell type (iPSC-EC) cultured within engineered platforms that mimic the 3D microenvironment. The iPSC-ECs used here were first characterized by expression of endothelial markers and functional properties that included VEGF responsiveness, TNF-α-induced upregulation of cell adhesion molecules (MCAM/CD146; ICAM1/CD54), thrombin-dependent barrier function, shear stress-induced alignment, and 2D and 3D capillary-like network formation in Matrigel. The iPSC-ECs also formed 3D vascular networks in a variety of engineering contexts, yielded perfusable, interconnected lumen when co-cultured with primary human fibroblasts, and aligned with flow in microfluidics devices. iPSC-EC function during tubule network formation, barrier formation, and sprouting was consistent with that of primary ECs, and the results suggest a VEGF-independent mechanism for sprouting, which is relevant to therapeutic anti-angiogenesis strategies. Our combined results demonstrate the feasibility of using a well-defined, stable source of iPSC-ECs to model blood vessel formation within a variety of contexts using standard in vitro formats.

DOI10.1007/s12015-014-9549-5
Alternate JournalStem Cell Rev
PubMed ID25190668