Differentiation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells into endothelial progenitor cells in vitro induced by VEGF and b-FGF

AIM: To research whether peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro can be differentiated into endothelial progenitor cells under the induction of VEGF and b-FGF. METHODS: The mononuclear cells were obtained from peripheral blood of healthy volunteers by Ficoll density-gradient centrifugation. The cells were suspended in medium 199(M199) supplemented with VEGF and bFGF for culturing ,differentiating, proliferating and identification. The expressions of specific antigens on cell surface were analysed by immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescence and the positive rate was detected by FCS. RESULTS: The mononuclear cells of human peripheral blood which were cultured and induced in vitro were positively stained for KDR, CD133 and CD34. CONCLUSION: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells can be differentiated into endothelial progenitor cells in vitro under a certain condition.