Abstract:

BACKGROUND: The unified identification, biological characteristics and exact role of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in angiogenesis are controversial.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the conditions which were suitable to isolate and culture the early and late EPCs derived from mouse bone marrow, and compare the different biological characteristics of the early and late EPCs using the method of sequence of differential adhesion.
METHODS: Mononuclear cells were isolated from the mouse bone marrow by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation, and then were grown in culture flask coated fibronectin. The early and late EPCs were isolated and purified using the method of sequence of differential adhesion. We compared the morphology, uptake DiI-LDL and FITC-UEA-1, cell immunophenotype, proliferation ability and capacity to form the cavity structure of the early and late EPCs in vitro.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Early EPCs showed colony-like growth at early time, whereas late EPCs exhibited cobblestone-shaped morphology. Both of the early and late EPCs could phagocytize DiI-LDL and bind to FITC-UEA-1. Late EPCs had greater proliferative potential and formed vascular-like structure whereas early EPCs could not form vascular-like structure. The results suggested that there are early and late EPCs with different characteristics in bone marrow, and late EPCs had greater proliferation potential and formed vascular-like structure.