Differentiation of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) toward endothelial cells (ECs), which comprise the vasculature's inner lining, is critical for the advancement of regenerative medicine. We have developed highly chemically defined conditions in a clinically-relevant manner for the controlled differentiation and robust derivation of functional ECs from both embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells. We examined critical angiogenic growth factors � VEGF, BMP4, and Ihh � as well as TGF� inhibitor, SB431542, for their ability to promote EC differentiation. RT-PCR, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry analyses revealed that a stepwise process is required to induce PSC differentiation to ECs. Endothelial derivatives were found to express mature markers including VEcad, VEGFR2/KDR, and vWF and robustly formed cord-like structures in vitro. This work has considerable clinical impact with respect to improved vascular therapeutics and regenerative medicine.

Guiding the derivation of endothelial cells from human pluripotent stem cells in a 2D, feeder free differentiation scheme

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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