Table 1.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Other Relevant Cell Types Involved in Vascularization of Tissues
| Cell type | Function | Common markers | Relevant reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSC | Nonhematopoietic stromal cells | CD34−, CD106, CD166, CD146, SH2, Stro-1 | 106–109 |
| Can differentiate into bone, cartilage, fat, or muscle lineages | |||
| Homing ability for tissue regeneration | |||
| EC | Innermost layer of blood vessels | CD31, VE-cadherin, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, vWF | 110–112 |
| Performs crucial regulatory roles | |||
| Enables nutrient and waste transfer | |||
| EPC | Express VEGF | Early EPCs: CD14, CD31, CD34, CD45, VEGFR-2, VE-cadherin, vWF | 94,113,114 |
| Support new vessel formation | |||
| May differentiate into ECs | Late EPCs: CD31, CD133, VEGFR-2, VE-cadherin, vWF | ||
| Pericyte | Wrap around EC layer | α-SMA, PDGFRβ, NG2-proteoglycan, annexin A5 (markers dependent on resident tissue) | 59,95,115 |
| Initiate vessel maturation | |||
| Regulate microvessel integrity, structure, and function |
EC, endothelial cell; EPCs, endothelial progenitor cells; MSC, mesenchymal stem cell; PDGFRβ, platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor; VEGFR, VEGF receptor; α-SMA, alpha-smooth muscle actin; vWF, von Willebrand Factor.