Characterization of human adult blood-derived EPCs (abEPCs) and bone marrow-derived MPCs (bmMPCs).

<p>(A) abEPCs (n = 9) and bmMPCs (n = 6) were derived from the mononuclear cell layer of adult peripheral blood samples and bone marrow samples, respectively. No significant change in the number of abEPC and bmMPC colonies was seen with the addition of high glucose (25 mmol/L) to the culture medium. (B) abEPCs were characterized through quantitative RT-PCR analysis for expression of known EC-markers: CD31, CD34, VE-cadherin, vWF, and VEGFR-2 [mRNA data normalized to 18S rRNA and presented relative to HDMECs; *p<0.05 compared to HDMECs; n = 3]. (C) abEPCs were further characterized through immunostaining for antibodies against cell surface markers CD31 and VE-cadherin, and intracellular marker vWF [Blue: DAPI for nuclear staining; Green: Alexa Fluorochrome 488; scale bar represents 100 µm]. (D) Similarly, qRT-PCR analysis of bmMPCs showed expression of mesenchymal markers: calponin, α-SMA, MHC, NG2, and PDGFR-β [data normalized to 18S rRNA and presented relative to uaSMCs; *p<0.05 compared to uaSMCs; n = 3]. (E) MPCs were immunostained for antibodies against membrane-bound proteins CD90, NG2, and PDGFR-β, and cytoplasmic protein α-SMA. [Blue: DAPI for nuclear staining; Green: Alexa Fluorochrome 488; scale bar represents 100 µm].