Objectives: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) transplantation is a promising approach for revascularization. We used a natural and biocompatible biopolymer, fibrin, to induce EPC growth, differentiation and functional activity. Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured for 1 week to obtain early EPCs. Fibrin was characterized for stiffness and capability to sustain cell growth at different fibrinogen-thrombin ratios. EPC viability, differentiation and angiogenic properties were evaluated and compared to EPCs grown on fibronectin. Results: Fibrin showed a nanometric fibrous structure and a porous network. Fibrinogen concentration influence significantly fibrin stiffness and cell growth: 9 mg/ml fibrinogen and 25 U/ml thrombin resulted the best ratio for enhanced cell viability. Moreover, cell viability was significantly higher on fibrin as compared to fibronectin. Even though no significant difference was observed in the expression of endothelial markers, culture on fibrin elicited a marked induction of stem cells markers OCT 3/4 and NANOG. The in vitro angiogenesis assay on Matrigel showed that EPCs grown on fibrin retain angiogenesis capability as EPCs grown on fibronectin, but a significant better release of cytokines involved in cell recruitment was produced by EPC grown on fibrin. Conclusion: Fibrin is a suitable matrix for EPC growth, differentiation and angiogenesis capability, suggesting that fibrin gel may be very useful for regenerative medicine.
Fibrin acts as biomimetic niche inducing both differentiation and stem cell markers expression of early human endothelial progenitor cells.
MINNOCCI, Antonio;
In corso di stampa
Abstract
Objectives: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) transplantation is a promising approach for revascularization. We used a natural and biocompatible biopolymer, fibrin, to induce EPC growth, differentiation and functional activity. Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured for 1 week to obtain early EPCs. Fibrin was characterized for stiffness and capability to sustain cell growth at different fibrinogen-thrombin ratios. EPC viability, differentiation and angiogenic properties were evaluated and compared to EPCs grown on fibronectin. Results: Fibrin showed a nanometric fibrous structure and a porous network. Fibrinogen concentration influence significantly fibrin stiffness and cell growth: 9 mg/ml fibrinogen and 25 U/ml thrombin resulted the best ratio for enhanced cell viability. Moreover, cell viability was significantly higher on fibrin as compared to fibronectin. Even though no significant difference was observed in the expression of endothelial markers, culture on fibrin elicited a marked induction of stem cells markers OCT 3/4 and NANOG. The in vitro angiogenesis assay on Matrigel showed that EPCs grown on fibrin retain angiogenesis capability as EPCs grown on fibronectin, but a significant better release of cytokines involved in cell recruitment was produced by EPC grown on fibrin. Conclusion: Fibrin is a suitable matrix for EPC growth, differentiation and angiogenesis capability, suggesting that fibrin gel may be very useful for regenerative medicine.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
