Optimizing mesoderm progenitor selection and three-dimensional microniche culture allows highly efficient endothelial differentiation and ischemic tissue repair from human pluripotent stem cells

BACKGROUND: Generation of large quantities of endothelial cells is highly desirable for vascular research, for the treatment of ischemia diseases, and for tissue regeneration. To achieve this goal, we developed a simple, chemically defined culture system to efficiently and rapidly differentiate endothelial cells from human pluripotent stem cells by going through an MESP1 mesoderm progenitor stage. METHODS: Mesp1 is a key transcription factor that regulates the development of early cardiovascular tissue. Using an MESP1-mTomato knock-in reporter human embryonic stem cell line, we compared the gene expression profiles of MESP1(+) and MESP1(−) cells and identified new signaling pathways that may promote endothelial differentiation. We also used a 3D scaffold to mimic the in vivo microenvironment to further improve the efficiency of endothelial cell generation. Finally, we performed cell transplantation into a critical limb ischemia mouse model to test the repairing potential of endothelial-primed MESP1(+) cells. RESULTS: MESP1(+) mesoderm progenitors, but not MESP1(−) cells, have strong endothelial differentiation potential. Global gene expression analysis revealed that transcription factors essential for early endothelial differentiation were enriched in MESP1(+) cells. Interestingly, MESP1 cells highly expressed Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor and the addition of S1P significantly increased the endothelial differentiation efficiency. Upon seeding in a novel 3D microniche and priming with VEGF and bFGF, MESP1(+) cells markedly upregulated genes related to vessel development and regeneration. 3D microniches also enabled long-term endothelial differentiation and proliferation from MESP1(+) cells with minimal medium supplements. Finally, we showed that transplanting a small number of endothelial-primed MESP1(+) cells in 3D microniches was sufficient to mediate rapid repair of a mouse model of critical limb ischemia. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that combining MESP1(+) mesoderm progenitor cells with tissue-engineered 3D microniche and a chemically defined endothelial induction medium is a promising route to maximizing the production of endothelial cells in vitro and augment their regenerative power in vivo. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13287-016-0455-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.