Impaired in vivo vasculogenic potential of endothelial progenitor cells in comparison to human umbilical vein endothelial cells in a spheroid-based implantation model.

Objectives:  Neovascularization represents a major challenge in tissue engineering applications since implantation of voluminous grafts without sufficient vascularity results in hypoxic cell death of implanted cells. An attractive therapeutic approach to overcome this is based on co-implantation of endothelial cells to create vascular networks. We have investigated the potential of human endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) to form functional blood vessels in vivo in direct comparison to vascular-derived endothelial cells, represented by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Materials and methods:  EPCs were isolated from human peripheral blood, expanded in vitro and analysed in vit…