Abstract 1450: Scar-Derived Nestin(+) Neural-Like Stem Cells Contribute to de novo Blood Vessel Formation in the Infarct Region

It has been shown that CNS- and follicle-derived neural stem cells can differentiate to an endothelial cell phenotype. The following study examined whether nestin(+) neural-like stem cells residing in the scar of post-MI rats may represent a cellular substrate and/or provide angiogenic stimuli for de novo blood vessel formation. In primary passage (PP) scar-derived cells isolated from 1-week post-MI rats, FACS analysis revealed that nestin(+) neural-like stem cells (8±1%;n=5) and α-smooth muscle actin(+) myofibroblasts (78±3%;n=5) were the predominant cell types. Furthermore, CD34(+) immunoreactivity was not detected in scar-derived PP cells. The plating of scar-derived PP cells in Matrigel led to tubule formation in the absence of exogenous angiogenic stimuli. An Affymetrix gene chip microarray analysis of scar-derived PP cells revealed the expression of a plethora of angiogenic factors including VEGF, angiopoietin, and BDNF. Furthermore, scar-derived nestin(+) neural-like stem cells were identified as a...