Human placenta-derived endothelial progenitor cells: an animal-free culture system for efficient expansion
Abstract Background Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a critical role in vasculogenesis and vascular repair, but their clinical application is hindered by challenges such as cell purity, quantity, and reliance on fetal bovine serum (FBS). This study developed an animal-free system for isolati...
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Biological Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40659-025-00625-2 |
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| author | Shengnan Yuan Mengrou Li Junhao Wang Wen Ju Yujin Huang Yue Li Haohan Fan Lingyu Zeng |
| author_facet | Shengnan Yuan Mengrou Li Junhao Wang Wen Ju Yujin Huang Yue Li Haohan Fan Lingyu Zeng |
| author_sort | Shengnan Yuan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a critical role in vasculogenesis and vascular repair, but their clinical application is hindered by challenges such as cell purity, quantity, and reliance on fetal bovine serum (FBS). This study developed an animal-free system for isolating, induction, and expanding EPCs from the human placenta, evaluating their potential for wound repair. Methods Mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated from full-term placenta and induced into EPCs using an animal-free medium supplemented with bFGF, IGF, and VEGF. EPCs were characterized by flow cytometry for markers CD133, CD34, and VEGFR2, while CD31 and CD45 served as negative markers. Functional assays, including Ac-LDL uptake, migration, and tube formation, confirmed EPC properties. The wound-repair potential was assessed in a mouse model. Results The induced EPCs exhibited high purity (> 95%) and expressed CD133, CD34, and VEGFR2 while being negative for CD31 and CD45. The system yielded 1 × 10⁸ EPCs from 10 g of placental tissue, demonstrating high proliferative capacity. Functional assays confirmed robust tube formation, migration, and Ac-LDL uptake in vitro. In vivo, EPCs significantly enhanced wound repair. Conclusions In conclusion, human placenta-derived EPCs cultured in an animal-free system displayed high purity, self-renewal capacity, and functional efficacy, making them a promising cell source for therapeutic applications, particularly in wound repair. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0784df76acb44f81b5164c966fdbd542 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 0717-6287 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
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| spelling | doaj-art-0784df76acb44f81b5164c966fdbd5422025-08-20T03:03:29ZengBMCBiological Research0717-62872025-07-0158111310.1186/s40659-025-00625-2Human placenta-derived endothelial progenitor cells: an animal-free culture system for efficient expansionShengnan Yuan0Mengrou Li1Junhao Wang2Wen Ju3Yujin Huang4Yue Li5Haohan Fan6Lingyu Zeng7Key Laboratory of Bone Marrow Stem Cell, Xuzhou Medical UniversityKey Laboratory of Bone Marrow Stem Cell, Xuzhou Medical UniversityKey Laboratory of Bone Marrow Stem Cell, Xuzhou Medical UniversityKey Laboratory of Bone Marrow Stem Cell, Xuzhou Medical UniversityKey Laboratory of Bone Marrow Stem Cell, Xuzhou Medical UniversityKey Laboratory of Bone Marrow Stem Cell, Xuzhou Medical UniversityKey Laboratory of Bone Marrow Stem Cell, Xuzhou Medical UniversityKey Laboratory of Bone Marrow Stem Cell, Xuzhou Medical UniversityAbstract Background Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a critical role in vasculogenesis and vascular repair, but their clinical application is hindered by challenges such as cell purity, quantity, and reliance on fetal bovine serum (FBS). This study developed an animal-free system for isolating, induction, and expanding EPCs from the human placenta, evaluating their potential for wound repair. Methods Mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated from full-term placenta and induced into EPCs using an animal-free medium supplemented with bFGF, IGF, and VEGF. EPCs were characterized by flow cytometry for markers CD133, CD34, and VEGFR2, while CD31 and CD45 served as negative markers. Functional assays, including Ac-LDL uptake, migration, and tube formation, confirmed EPC properties. The wound-repair potential was assessed in a mouse model. Results The induced EPCs exhibited high purity (> 95%) and expressed CD133, CD34, and VEGFR2 while being negative for CD31 and CD45. The system yielded 1 × 10⁸ EPCs from 10 g of placental tissue, demonstrating high proliferative capacity. Functional assays confirmed robust tube formation, migration, and Ac-LDL uptake in vitro. In vivo, EPCs significantly enhanced wound repair. Conclusions In conclusion, human placenta-derived EPCs cultured in an animal-free system displayed high purity, self-renewal capacity, and functional efficacy, making them a promising cell source for therapeutic applications, particularly in wound repair.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40659-025-00625-2EPCsPlacentaAnimal-free culture systemWound repair |
| spellingShingle | Shengnan Yuan Mengrou Li Junhao Wang Wen Ju Yujin Huang Yue Li Haohan Fan Lingyu Zeng Human placenta-derived endothelial progenitor cells: an animal-free culture system for efficient expansion Biological Research EPCs Placenta Animal-free culture system Wound repair |
| title | Human placenta-derived endothelial progenitor cells: an animal-free culture system for efficient expansion |
| title_full | Human placenta-derived endothelial progenitor cells: an animal-free culture system for efficient expansion |
| title_fullStr | Human placenta-derived endothelial progenitor cells: an animal-free culture system for efficient expansion |
| title_full_unstemmed | Human placenta-derived endothelial progenitor cells: an animal-free culture system for efficient expansion |
| title_short | Human placenta-derived endothelial progenitor cells: an animal-free culture system for efficient expansion |
| title_sort | human placenta derived endothelial progenitor cells an animal free culture system for efficient expansion |
| topic | EPCs Placenta Animal-free culture system Wound repair |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40659-025-00625-2 |
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