Bioengineering of the Embryonic Cardiovascular Progenitor Cell Niche Using Electrospun Nanofibrous Saffolds

摘要

As previously reported1 CPCs as identified by the vascular endothelial growth factor, receptor 2 (VEGF-R2), Flk-1 have shown greater differentiation potential when exposed to various ECM proteins. Additionally, a 3D microenvironment further enhances this differentiation potential. In order to determine the mechanism by which a 3D microenvironment enhances a cellular response, we have combined both the 3D microenvironment of the electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds with various ECM proteins we have identified as influential. We have seen that the 3D microenvironment has the ability to enhance the amount of CPCs present after at least 4 days in differentiation conditions. Further study will be required to determine the appropriate in vitro microenvironment to fully recapitulate the cardiovascular stem cell niche present in the heart and understand the specific cellular mechanisms of how these ECM proteins are able to enhance CPC copulations.