Fig. 1

Identification of VPCs, distinct from PB and CB-derived ECFCs, from BM. A Morphology of BM-VPCs, PB-ECFCs, CB-ECFCs in passages 0 and 3. Colonies were formed from mononuclear cells derived from the BM, PB, and CB. Scale bar = 500 μm. B, C Cell yield and PDT of CB-ECFCs, PB-ECFCs, and BM-VPCs (cell yield data of BM-VPCs presented as mean ± SD, n = 39). D Images showing the results of in vitro Matrigel tube formation assay for BM-VPCs, HUVECs, CB-ECFCs, and PB-ECFCs in the EGM-2 medium containing VEGF, EGF, FGF, IGF, and other growth factors, and in the MEMα + 0.2%hPL (lacking angiogenic growth factors). After overnight incubation, the morphology of tubes was observed using a phase contrast microscope. Scale bar = 500 μm. E UEA-1 binding ability of cells at passage 5 tested using flow cytometry. F Expression of markers of EPCs and MSCs in HUVECs, CB-ECFCs, PB-ECFCs, BM-VPCs, and BM-MSCs, analyzed using flow cytometry at passage 5