Open AccessBlood Monocytes Mimic Endothelial Progenitor Cells
Author(s) -
Rohde Eva,
Malischnik Christina,
Thaler Daniela,
Maierhofer Theresa,
Linkesch Werner,
Lanzer Gerhard,
Guelly Christian,
Strunk Dirk
Publication year - 2006
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 - 10.1634/stemcells.2005-0072
Subject(s) - biology , cd31 , progenitor cell , haematopoiesis , monocyte , endothelial progenitor cell , endothelial stem cell , cd14 , flow cytometry , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , stem cell , angiogenesis , in vitro , cancer research , biochemistry
Abstract The generation of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from blood monocytes has been propagated as a novel approach in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) uptake and lectin binding together with endothelial marker expression are commonly used to define these EPCs. Considerable controversy exists regarding their nature, in particular, because myelomonocytic cells share several properties with endothelial cells (ECs). This study was performed to elucidate whether the commonly used endothelial marker determination is sufficient to distinguish supposed EPCs from monocytes. We measured endothelial, hematopoietic, and progenitor cell marker expression of monocytes before and after angiogenic culture by fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, and real‐time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. The function of primary monocytes and monocyte‐derived supposed EPCs was investigated during vascular network formation and EC colony‐forming unit (CFU‐EC) development. Monocytes cultured for 4 to 6 days under angiogenic conditions lost CD14/CD45 and displayed a commonly accepted EPC phenotype, including LDL uptake and lectin binding, CD31/CD105/CD144 reactivity, and formation of cord‐like structures. Strikingly, primary monocytes already expressed most tested endothelial genes and proteins at even higher levels than their supposed EPC progeny. Neither fresh nor cultured monocytes formed vascular networks, but CFU‐EC formation was strictly dependent on monocyte presence. LDL uptake, lectin binding, and CD31/CD105/CD144 expression are inherent features of monocytes, making them phenotypically indistinguishable from putative EPCs. Consequently, monocytes and their progeny can phenotypically mimic EPCs in various experimental models.