Combinatorial Extracellular Matrix Microenvironments for Probing Endothelial Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Sci Rep. 2017 Jul 26;7(1):6551. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-06986-3.

Abstract

Endothelial cells derived from human pluripotent stem cells are a promising cell type for enhancing angiogenesis in ischemic cardiovascular tissues. However, our understanding of microenvironmental factors that modulate the process of endothelial differentiation is limited. We examined the role of combinatorial extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins on endothelial differentiation systematically using an arrayed microscale platform. Human pluripotent stem cells were differentiated on the arrayed ECM microenvironments for 5 days. Combinatorial ECMs composed of collagen IV + heparan sulfate + laminin (CHL) or collagen IV + gelatin + heparan sulfate (CGH) demonstrated significantly higher expression of CD31, compared to single-factor ECMs. These results were corroborated by fluorescence activated cell sorting showing a 48% yield of CD31+/VE-cadherin+ cells on CHL, compared to 27% on matrigel. To elucidate the signaling mechanism, a gene expression time course revealed that VE-cadherin and FLK1 were upregulated in a dynamically similar manner as integrin subunit β3 (>50 fold). To demonstrate the functional importance of integrin β3 in promoting endothelial differentiation, the addition of neutralization antibody inhibited endothelial differentiation on CHL-modified dishes by >50%. These data suggest that optimal combinatorial ECMs enhance endothelial differentiation, compared to many single-factor ECMs, in part through an integrin β3-mediated pathway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antigens, CD / analysis
  • Cadherins / analysis
  • Cell Differentiation*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Endothelial Cells / chemistry
  • Endothelial Cells / physiology*
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Humans
  • Integrin beta3 / biosynthesis
  • Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / analysis
  • Pluripotent Stem Cells / chemistry
  • Pluripotent Stem Cells / physiology*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Cadherins
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins
  • Integrin beta3
  • Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1
  • cadherin 5