Comparative Evaluation for Potential Differentiation of Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Endothelial-Like Cells

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.