Identify hemodynamic factors implicated in differentiation of stem cells into endothelial cells

The effects of physical environmental forces on tissue genesis and cell differentiation are largely unknown. Using microtluidic device, researchers found that fluid forces similar to blood flow may influence the differentiation of stem/progenitor cells into endothelial cells (ECs). However, current used microfluidic systems can not accurately resemble the hemodynamics of in vivo microvascular environment. Recently, we have developed a synthetic microvascular network (SMM) on a chip which accurately represents the size and vascular geometry of in vivo microvascular networks, and can mimic the flow conditions in capillary networks. In this study, we have successfully identified the hemodynamic factors implicated in differentiation of adult bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into ECs using the SMNs.