Evaluating the potential of endothelial cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells to form microvascular networks in 3D cultures.

ABSTRACT: A major translational challenge in the fields of therapeutic angiogenesis and regenerative medicine is the need to create functional microvasculature. The purpose of this study was to assess whether a potentially autologous endothelial cell (EC) source derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC-ECs) can form the same robust, stable microvasculature as previously documented for other sources of ECs. We utilized a well-established in vitro assay, in which endothelial cell-coated (iPSC-EC or HUVEC) beads were co-embedded with fibroblasts in a 3D fibrin matrix to assess their ability to form stable microvessels. iPSC-ECs exhibited a five-fold reduction in capillary network formation compared to HUVECs. Increasing matrix density reduced sprouting, although this effect was attenuate

SUBMITTER: Bezenah JR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5805762 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature