Open AccessPeg3/PW1 Is a Marker of a Subset of Vessel Associated Endothelial Progenitors
Author(s) -
Malinverno Matteo,
Corada Monica,
Ferrarini Luca,
Formicola Luigi,
Marazzi Giovanna,
Sassoon David,
Dejana Elisabetta
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
stem cells
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.159
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1549-4918
pISSN - 1066-5099
DOI - 10.1002/stem.2566
Subject(s) - biology , progenitor cell , microbiology and biotechnology , endothelial stem cell , stem cell , embryonic stem cell , vasculogenesis , mesenchymal stem cell , stem cell marker , progenitor , immunology , genetics , in vitro , gene
A bstract Vascular associated endothelial cell (ECs) progenitors are still poorly studied and their role in the newly forming vasculature at embryonic or postnatal stage remains elusive. In the present work, we first defined a set of genes highly expressed during embryo development and strongly downregulated in the adult mouse. In this group, we then concentrated on the progenitor cell marker Peg3/PW1. By in vivo staining of the vasculature we found that only a subset of cells coexpressed endothelial markers and PW1. These cells were quite abundant in the embryo vasculature but declined in number at postnatal and adult stages. Using a reporter mouse for PW1 expression, we have been able to isolate PW1‐positive (PW1posECs) and negative endothelial cells (PW1negECs). PW1‐positive cells were highly proliferative in comparison to PW1negECs and were able to form colonies when seeded at clonal dilution. Furthermore, by RNAseq analysis, PW1posECs expressed endothelial cell markers together with mesenchymal and stem cell markers. When challenged by endothelial growth factors in vitro, PW1posECs were able to proliferate more than PW1negECs and to efficiently form new vessels in vivo. Taken together these data identify a subset of vessel associated endothelial cells with characteristics of progenitor cells. Considering their high proliferative potential these cells may be of particular importance to design therapies to improve the perfusion of ischemic tissues or to promote vascular repair. S tem C ells 2017;35:1328–1340