Essential Functionality of Endometrial and Adipose Stem Cells in Normal and Mechanically Motivated Conditions

Endothelial cells, as the interface line between blood and surrounding tissues, are exposed to cyclic stretch and shear stress derived by blood pressure and flow. This paper attempts to analyze the effects of biomechanical forces, concurrent cyclic stretch (10% at 1 Hz) and cyclic shear stress (0-2.5 dyne/cm(2) at 1 Hz) for 12 h, on the mechanical properties, gene expression and angiogenesis ability of adipose and endometrial stem cells. In the current study, by using/designing an innovative bioreactor, we tried to evaluate the effects of biomechanical stimulation, concurrent cyclic stretch (10% at 1 Hz) and cyclic shear stress (0-2.5 dyne/cm(2) at 1 Hz) for 12 h, on the mechanical properties, gene expression, and the angiogenesis potential of adipose and endometrial stem cells. Cells' Young moduli (E) were determined by an atomic force microscopy device. Gene expression analysis for the three endothelial markers, FLK-1, vWF and VE-cadherin, was evaluated using Real-Time PCR, and the angiogenic potential was demonstrated by in vitro tube formation analysis. Our results demonstrated that in comparison to adipose stem cells, endometrial stem cells exhibit an enhanced endothelial differentiation potential. After application of biomechanical stimuli, their Young moduli were more close to endothelial cells. In comparison, endothelial specific genes were more highly expressed on average in the endometrial stem cells than the adipose stem cells. Also endometrial stem cells have better tube formation ability. These findings might be useful in vascular tissue engineering subjects and treatment of some serious vasculature disease such as atherosclerosis.