Division of Vascular Biology, Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (IRCC), 10060 Candiolo, Torino, Italy.
Microvasc Res. 2010 May;79(3):178-83. doi: 10.1016/j.mvr.2009.12.008. Epub 2010 Jan 4.
Embryonic stem (ES) cells are pluripotent cells capable of differentiating in all the cell types present in a living organism. They derive from the inner cell mass of blastocysts of different species including humans. Given their unlimited potential, ES cells represent an invaluable resource of different cell types for transplantation and tissue engineering applications. However, in order to accomplish these therapeutic purposes, efficient and controlled in vitro systems of directing ES cell differentiation are mandatory. ES cell differentiation is strongly influenced by physical, chemical and cellular signals provided by the local microenvironment. Understanding the relationships occurring between differentiating cells and surrounding environment is pivotal for a successful ES cells-based therapy. This review describes three different methods of in vitro differentiation of ES cells by outlining the environmental elements required for endothelial fate specification. For each system, the efficiency of endothelial differentiation, the accessibility and the advantages are discussed. The main conclusion that arises from this analysis is that the knowledge of the role played by microenvironment in cell fate determination is essential to control and take advantage of ES cells potential.
胚胎干细胞（ES 细胞）是多能细胞，能够分化为生物体中存在的所有细胞类型。它们来源于不同物种（包括人类）的囊胚内细胞团。由于其具有无限的潜力，ES 细胞代表了不同细胞类型的宝贵资源，可用于移植和组织工程应用。然而，为了实现这些治疗目的，需要有效的、可控的体外 ES 细胞分化系统。ES 细胞的分化受到局部微环境提供的物理、化学和细胞信号的强烈影响。了解分化细胞与周围环境之间发生的关系对于成功的基于 ES 细胞的治疗至关重要。
本综述描述了通过概述内皮命运特化所需的环境要素来体外分化 ES 细胞的三种不同方法。对于每种系统，讨论了内皮细胞分化的效率、可及性和优点。从这项分析中得出的主要结论是，了解微环境在细胞命运决定中所起的作用对于控制和利用 ES 细胞的潜力至关重要。
