Study the effect of cycloporin a on functionality of endothelial cells differentiated from induced pluripotent stem cells as in vitro toxicity model

Backgrounds and Objectives: Designing a suitable in vitro model of vascular system could lead us understanding the mechanism which chemicals affecting them. Due to 3R principles, we are trying for alternative models to animal testing. Stem cells specially induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with ability of differentiation to all organs of body including vascular system could be a good substitute. In this study we differentiated iPS cells toward endothelial cells using a novel cocktail of small molecules and growth factors as a model for our toxicology assessment. We started our toxicity part using cyclosporin A(CSA) which is known as a potent immunosuppressive agent in pharmacologic studies. Beside the positive effect of CSA, there is emerging evidence showing its effect on inducing long-term vascular dysfunction and angiogenesis impairment in patients. We designed this study in order to get deeper insights into effect of CSA on angiogenesis of endothelial cells and finding out the exact mechanisms.