Biological characteristics of the endothelial progenitor cells in regenerating human hemangioma in nude mice

ObjectiveTo study the differentiation of human hemangioma endothelial progenitor cells(EPcs) in nude mice, and further reveal its biological characteristics.

MethodsThe hemangioma endothelial progenitor cells in proliferative stage were cultured in vitro, identified by CD31, CD34 and Ⅷ-factor related antigens, and subcutaneously inoculated into the bilateral chest wall and waist of nude mice.The growth characteristics and histologic changes of transplanted tumors were regularly observed.The transplanted tumor's homology was identified by immunohistochemical staining of the vascular endothelial cell specific marker CD31 and CD34.

ResultsThe growth of EPcs was good in vitro, the number of EPcs was 3×10⁸, and the positive expressions of CD31, CD34 and Ⅷ-factor related antigen were detected by immunohistochemistry.The biological and pathological characteristics between tumor formation after subcutaneous implantation and original hemangioma were similar in nude mice.The tumor identified by CD31 and CD34 was derived from human hemangioma endothelial cells.

ConclusionsThe cell source of hemangioma is derived from EPCs, which can be used as the animal models of hemangioma, and provide an ideal platform for the study of hemangioma.