Figure 6. Model of in vitro coordination of vascular and bone tissue development.

In a co-culture of ECs and hMSCs (beige, spindle-shaped cells), angiogenic supplements provide cues to stimulate the formation of primitive vascular networks (red) by the ECs (dispersed ECs are not shown in the model). These, in turn, recruit hMSCs into a pericyte-like role (green) that enables the vascular network to remain stable when osteogenic cues are provided. These cues induce osteoblast formation (blue cells) and deposition of mineralized matrix (beige).