Abstract:

 Objective   To study the differentiation potentiality and inducement conditions of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)into lymphatic endothelial cells(LECs), and to provide an ideal source of LECs for lymphatic regeneration and reconstruction. Methods   BMSCs were isolated from the bone marrow of SD rats, and the surface antigens CD31, CD14, CD29 and CD90 on BMSCs were detected by flow cytometry. Purified BMSCs were cultured for 10 days in the conditioned medium with vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) (50ng/mL). Then, expressions of lymphatic endothelial cell markers, (prospero ho-meobox protein 1(Prox-1) and lymphatic vessel endothelial receptor 1(LYVE-1), were detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence. Results   BMSCs were typically fusiform in shape and circinate in arrangement, while they transformed into polygonal cells after co-culture with VEGF-C. Flow cytometry showed that expressions of surface antigens CD29 and CD90 on BMSCs were positive, however, CD31and CD14 were negative. After induction with VEGF-C, Western blot and immunofluorescence showed that prox-1 and LYVE-1 were expressed in differentiated BMSCs, while they were not expressed in undifferentiated BMSCs in the control group. Conclusion   BMSCs can be induced to express the lymphatic specific antigen and to differentiate into LECs by VEGF-C in vitro.

Key words: Bone mesenchymal stem cells; Lymphatic endothelial cells; Differentiation; Vascular endothelial growth factor C