Endothelial cells (ECs) for vascular tissue engineering: venous ECs are less thrombogenic than arterial ECs

Abstract

Primary endothelial cells (ECs) are the preferred cellular source for luminal seeding of tissue-engineered (TE) vascular grafts. Research into the potential of ECs for vascular TE has focused particularly on venous rather than arterial ECs. In this study we evaluated the functional characteristics of arterial and venous ECs, relevant for vascular TE. Porcine ECs were isolated from femoral artery (PFAECs) and vein (PFVECs). The proliferation rate was comparable for both EC sources, whereas migration, determined through a wound-healing assay, was less profound for PFVECs. EC adhesion was lower for PFVECs on collagen I, measured after 10 min of arterial shear stress. Gene expression was analysed by qRT-PCR for ECs cultured under static conditions and after exposure to arterial shear stress and revealed differences in gene expression, with lower expression of EphrinB2 and VCAM-1 and higher levels of vWF and COUP-TFII in PFVECs than in PFAECs. PFVECs exhibited diminished platelet adhesion under flow and cell-based thrombin generation was delayed for PFVECs, indicating diminished tissue factor (TF) activity. After stimulation, prostacyclin secretion, but not nitric oxide (NO), was lower in PFVECs. Our data support the use of venous ECs for TE because of their beneficial antithrombogenic profile.

Microfibrous Scaffolds Enhance Endothelial Differentiation and Organization of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

“…2 Moreover, in response to cues from the microenvironment, ECs from arteries and veins present epigenetic, morphological and functional differences, 2 including those that control cell motility and thrombosis. 18 Furthermore, the vascular network-like structures in this study were not developed to the point where they could support the perfusion of liquid through them. Incorporation of a bioreactor system may help sustain the survival of the cells to allow for further vascular maturation.…”

Hyperglycemia induces differential change in oxidative stress at gene expression and functional levels in HUVEC and HMVEC

“…In normal physiology, endothelial cells originated from different organs and parts of vasculature express different functional characteristics that are based on endothelial function, gene expression, and proteomic profile at homeostasis [21-23]. Such functional differences in endothelial cells can be precursors of their variable behavior under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions [24].…”

Update on implications and mechanisms of angiogenesis in liver fibrosis

“…A potentially limiting factor in strategies designed to promote neovascularization of ischemic tissues is the resident population of EC that is competent to respond to administrated angiogenic cytokines. 18 These findings suggest that circulating CD34 + cells containing EPC may be useful for augmenting collateral vessel growth to ischemic tissues and for delivering antiangiogenic or pro-angiogenic agents, respectively, to sites of pathologic or utilitarian angiogenesis. 17 The angiogenesis process can be roughly divided into four stages: (i) activation of EC; (ii) proliferation and differentiation of EC; (iii) lumen formation; and (iv) maturation and stabilization of the blood vessels.…”

“…The results in vivo suggest that circulating CD34 + cells contributed to neoangiogenesis in adult species, consistent with vasculogenesis, a paradigm otherwise restricted to embryogenesis. A potentially limiting factor in strategies designed to promote neovascularization of ischemic tissues is the resident population of EC that is competent to respond to administrated angiogenic cytokines . These findings suggest that circulating CD34 + cells containing EPC may be useful for augmenting collateral vessel growth to ischemic tissues and for delivering antiangiogenic or pro‐angiogenic agents, respectively, to sites of pathologic or utilitarian angiogenesis …”