Mesenchymal Stem Cells Differentiate to Endothelial Cells Using Recombinant Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor –A

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), an endothelial cell-specific mitogen produced by various cell types, plays important roles in cell differentiation and proliferation. In this study we investigated the effect of recombinant VEGF-A on differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to endothelial cells (ECs). Methods: VEGF-A was expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3) and BL21 pLysS competent cells with the pET32a expression vector. Recombinant VEGF-A protein expression was verified by SDS-PAGE and western blotting. Mesenchymal stem cell differentiation to ECs in the presence of VEGF-A was evaluated by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. Results: Recombinant VEGF-A was produced in E. coli BL21 (DE3) cells at 0.8 mg/mL concentration. Expression of CD31 and CD 144 was significantly greater, while expression of CD90, CD73, and CD44 was significantly less, in MSCs treated with our recombinant VEGF-A than in those treated with the commercial protein (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Recombinant VEGF-A expressed in a prokaryotic system can induce MSCs differentiation to ECs and can be used in research and likely therapeutic applications.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Differentiate to Endothelial Cells Using Recombinant Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor –A Keywords:

Cell differentiation , Endothelial cell , Mesenchymal stem cell , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A