Stem cells used to grow the cells that line blood vessels

August 26, 2013

Scientists at Harvard University were able to use human stem cells to grow vascular endothelial cells — the type of cells that line blood vessels. The breakthrough has led to the discovery of new details of how these cells function. The researchers used human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to grow the blood vessel linings in a novel way, inducing the differentiations of the iPSCs into specific cell types by mimicing the flow of blood. The cells which received a strong “flow” grew into artery cells, while those exposed to a weaker flow grew into vein cells. (Nature World News)