Understanding the mechanisms of vascular remodeling could lead to more effective treatments for ischemic conditions. We aimed to compare between the abilities of both human Wharton jelly derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and human cord blood endothelial progenitor cells (hEPCs) and CD34+ to induce angiogenesis in vitro. hMSCs, hEPCs, and CD34+ were isolated from human umbilical cord blood using microbead (MiniMacs). The cells characterization was assessed by flow cytometry following culture and real-time PCR for vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) to prove stem cells differentiation. The study revealed successful isolation of hEPCs, CD34+, and hMSCs. The hMSCs were identified by gaining CD29+ and CD44+ using FACS analysis. The hEPCs were identified by having CD133+, CD34+, and KDR. The potential ability of hEPCs and CD34+ to differentiate into endothelial-like cells was more than hMSCs. This finding was assessed morphologically in culture and by higher significant VEGFR2 and vWF genes expression (p<0.05) in differentiated hEPCs and CD34+ compared to differentiated hMSCs. hEPCs and CD34+ differentiation into endothelial-like cells were much better than that of hMSCs.

Cinnamomum osmophloeum, an indigenous species of Taiwan, can be utilized for valuable products such as a food, a spice and a traditional Chinese medicine. This study compares the ribosomal DNA (nr DNA) internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequence of C. osmophloeum to that of several other species with similar external morphology, such as Cinnamomum burmannii, Cinnamomum insularimontanum, Cinnamomum macrostemon and Cinnamomum subavenium. Phylogeny of ITS sequences shows that C. osmophloeum is more closely related to C. burmannii than the other species, while C. insularimontanum, C. macrostemon, and C. subavenium are phylogenetically relevant to each other. By comparing ITS sequence between C. osmophloeum and C. burmannii, specific primers were designed for the multiplex-PCR to differentiate them. Based on ITS sequence differences, all tested Cinnamomum spp. can be properly authenticated. A 125 bp band specific for C. osmophloeum and a 204-bp C. burmannii-specific band were successfully amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the respective primers described above. The two species then can be identified at the molecular level according to the sizes of their respective PCR products as determined by gel electrophoresis.

Endothelial progenitors cells (EPCs) are important for the development of cell therapies for various diseases. However, the major obstacles in developing such therapies are low quantities of EPCs that can be generated from the patient and the lack of adequate non-invasive imaging approach for in vivo monitoring of transplanted cells. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a key mediator in the vascular leak syndromes associated with gram-negative bacterial infections. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) was expressed both on the surface and intracellular compartment of EPCs. The objective of this study was to determine the ability of human umbilical cord blood (hUCB) EPCs to be isolated and identified in vitro and examine the effect of LPS on EPCs-TLR4 signalling pathway. 5 hUCB samples were collected for EPCs isolation and cultured on fibronectin coated wells in endothelial media supplement. Their phenotypes were confirmed by uptake of acetylated LDL and binding of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled Ulex europaeus agglutinin 1 (UEA-1) lectin. LPS was added to EPCs culture by different concentrations (0.1, 0.5 and 1 µg/ml) to assess its effect on EPCs proliferation. The following genes; human vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (hVEGFR-2), TLR4, vascular endothelial-cadherin (VE-Cadherin), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and heme oxygenase (HO-1) from the culture EPCs (control group) and EPCs preconditioned with 0.1 µg/ml LPS (preconditioned treated group) were also assessed by Real-time qPCR. EPCs cultured from hUCB were isolated, identified and highly significant proliferated in response to 0.1 µg/ml LPS compared to other concentrations. The expression of hVEGFR-2, TLR4, VE-Cadherin, eNOS and HO-1 by EPCS preconditioned with LPS compared to EPCs was significantly increased in response to the toll-like receptor agonist LPS. hUCB is highly valuable rich source for EPCs. Data of Quantitative genes expression indicate that LPS recognition by EPCs-TLR4 activates the corresponding signal pathway.