Endothelial Cells Modulate Differentiation Potential and Mobility of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

Abstract

We studied the effect of endothelial cells on in vitro migration and differentiation potential of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells. Down-regulation of stemness genes OCT4, SOX2, and chondrogenic differentiation regulator SOX9 gene and upregulation of osteogenesis master-gene RUNX2 in mesenchymal stromal cells were observed in the presence of intact and TNFα-activated endothelial cells, which indicated an increase in commitment of mesenchymal stromal cells.The medium conditioned by endothelial cells stimulated migration activity of mesenchymal stromal cells; migration rate increased significantly in conditioned medium from activated cells in comparison with medium from non-activated cells. It was concluded that the interaction with endothelial cells modulated functional activity of mesenchymal stromal cells; moreover, activated endothelial cells produced more pronounced effects on differentiation potential and migration activity of mesenchymal stromal cells both in direct contact and through paracrine regulation.