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Bioimpacts. 2023;13(4): 289-300.
doi: 10.34172/bi.2022.24132
PMID: 37645025
PMCID: PMC10460769
Scopus ID: 85168143106
  Abstract View: 519
  PDF Download: 242
  Full Text View: 38

Original Research

Differentiation and molecular characterization of endothelial progenitor and vascular smooth muscle cells from induced pluripotent stem cells

Mohammadreza Dastouri 1* ORCID logo, Hilal Ozdag 1 ORCID logo, Ahmet Ruchan Akar 2 ORCID logo, Alp Can 3 ORCID logo

1 Ankara University Biotechnology Institute and SISBIYOTEK Advanced Research Unit, Gumusdere Yerleskesi, Kecioren Ankara, 06135, Turkey
2 Ankara University School of Medicine, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart Center Dikimevi, Ankara, 06340, Turkey
3 Ankara University School of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Laboratories for Stem Cells and Reproductive Medicine, Sihhiye, Ankara, 06410, Turkey
*Corresponding Author: Corresponding author: Mohammadreza Dastouri, , Email: mrdastouri@ankara.edu.tr

Abstract

Introduction: Pluripotent stem cells have been used by various researchers to differentiate and characterize endothelial cells (ECs) and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) for the clinical treatment of vascular injuries. Studies continue to differentiate and characterize the cells with higher vascularization potential and low risk of malignant transformation to the recipient. Unlike previous studies, this research aimed to differentiate induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells into endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and VSMCs using a step-wise technique. This was achieved by elucidating the spatio-temporal expressions of the stage-specific genes and proteins during the differentiation process. The presence of highly expressed oncogenes in iPS cells was also investigated during the differentiation period.
Methods: Induced PS cells were differentiated into lateral mesoderm cells (Flk1+). The Flk1+ populations were isolated on day 5.5 of the mesodermal differentiation period. Flk1+ cells were further differentiated into EPCs and VSMCs using VEGF165 and platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), respectively, and then characterized using gene expression levels, immunocytochemistry (ICC), and western blot (WB) methods. During the differentiation steps, the expression levels of the marker genes and proto-oncogenic Myc and Klf4 genes were simultaneously studied.
Results: The optimal time for the isolation of Flk1+ cells was on day 5.5. EPCs and VSMCs were differentiated from Flk1+ cells and characterized with EPC-specific markers, including Kdr, Pecam1, CD133, Cdh5, Efnb2, Vcam1; and VSMC-specific markers, including Acta2, Cnn1, Des, and Myh11. Differentiated cells were validated based on their temporal gene expressions, protein synthesis, and localization at certain time points. Significant decreases in Myc and Klf4 gene expression levels were observed during the EPCs and VSMC differentiation period.
Conclusion: EPCs and VSMCs were successfully differentiated from iPS cells and characterized by gene expression levels, ICC, and WB. We observed significant decreases in oncogene expression levels in the differentiated EPCs and VSMCs. In terms of safety, the described methodology provided a better safety margin. EPCs and VSMC obtained using this method may be good candidates for transplantation and vascular regeneration.
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Submitted: 03 Nov 2021
Revision: 11 Feb 2022
Accepted: 14 Feb 2022
ePublished: 21 Feb 2022
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