Capillary network formation by endothelial cells differentiated from human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

Human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (HBMSCs) have the potential to differentiate into cells such as adipocyte, osteocyte, hepatocyte and endothelial cells. In this study, the differentiation of hBMSCs into endothelial like-cells was induced in presence of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1). The differentiated endothelial cells were examined for their ability to express VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR2) and von willebrand factor (vWF). Then the cells were adopted to grow and develop capillary network in a semisolid gel matrix in vitro. The capillary network formation in a well of 24-well plate was found to be 85% in presence of VEGF (50ng/ml) and IGF-1 (20ng/ml) of the culture media. These data may suggest that the expression of endothelial markers in endothelial like-cells derived from hBMSCs is associated with their ability to form capillaries.