Mesenchymal stem cells population has been successfully isolated from the matrix and characterised for its stemness properties. Endothelial cells from the vein of the umbilical cord which are usually termed as HUVEC are also of interest to researchers as it can be manipulated in vitro to study endothelial cells behaviour and vascular-associated diseases. Immunophenotyping for positive and negative markers of mesenchymal stem cells was performed on HUVEC and compared to the closest stem cells that were isolated from the umbilical cord matrix which is termed as HUCMSC in this study. The expressions of a set of stemness genes were also detected using qPCR. The results showed that HUVEC strongly expressed hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells markers (CD31, CD34, CD9, CD44, CD73 and CD90) while HUCMSC possess mesenchymal stem cells properties with strong expression of CD9, CD44, CD73 and CD90. Interestingly, the expression of stemness genes is detected higher in HUVEC compared to HUCMSC with possibilities of having neural properties as evidenced by the high expression of FGF4, FZD9, Nestin and SOX2. Thus, it is suggested that HUVEC exhibited some stem cells characteristics and could be further investigated for possible application in research as well as in future cells therapy. � 2018 Pharmascope Publications. All rights reserved.

Human chorion-derived stem cells (hCDSC) were previously shown to demonstrate multipotent properties with promising angiogenic characteristics in monolayer-cell culture system. In our study, we investigated the angiogenic capability of hCDSC in 3-dimensional (3D) in vitro and in vivo angiogenic models for the purpose of future application in the treatment of ischaemic diseases. Human CDSC were evaluated for angiogenic and endogenic genes expressions by quantitative PCR. Growth factors secretions were quantified using ELISA. In vitro and in vivo vascular formations were evaluated by histological analysis and confocal microscopic imaging. PECAM-1+ and vWF+ vascular-like structures were observed in both in vitro and in vivo angiogenesis models. High secretions of VEGF and bFGF by hCDSC with increased expressions of angiogenic and endogenic genes suggested the possible angiogenic promoting mechanisms by hCDSC. The cooperation of hCDSC with HUVECS to generate vessel-like structures in our systems is an indication that there will be positive interactions of hCDSC with existing endothelial cells when injected into ischaemic tissues. Hence, hCDSC is suggested as the novel approach in the future treatment of ischaemic diseases. � 2013 The Authors. Published by Foundation for Cellular and Molecular Medicine/Blackwell Publishing Ltd.