Cells cultured in either normal fibroblast medium or endothelial induction medium were seeded on a gelatin-based scaffold. To study the organization of cells, routine staining was performed. Differentiation was confirmed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry with antibodies directed toward molecules commonly used to identify endothelial cells.
Our data support that human dermal fibroblasts differentiated toward endothelial cell-like cells prior to seeding showed histological resemblance to mature endothelial cells, while fibroblasts seeded and later induced into endothelial differentiation grew in multilayer. However, expression of various surface molecules indicative of an endothelial phenotype was seen using both techniques. In conclusion, the results presented in this study indicate that human dermal fibroblasts differentiated toward an endothelial cell-like phenotype may be a novel cell source for endothelialization of vascular grafts.