IN VITRO DIFFERENTIATION OF ENDOTHELIAL PROGENITOR STEM CELLS DERIVED FROM PERIPHERAL BLOOD OF CAMEL

The peripheral blood-derived mononuclear cells (PBMNCS) obtained from camel blood when set in culture gave rise to adherent cells. The count of colony forming unit (CFU) after culturing PBMNCS for 7 days were significantly lower in the non pregnant animals than in the pregnant ones (32.4 +/- 26.7 versus 65.2 +/- 18.3, respectively). Flow cytometry analysis shows the expression of CD34 + (33.8%), CD14 + (33%) and CD29 + (22.8%), the latter is a marker for mesenchymal stem cells although direct evidence for the presence of mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCS) in the peripheral blood does not exist. The stem/progenitor cell characteristics were evidenced by their proliferative capacities and their ability to differentiate into osteciblasts, chondrocytes and neural cells after culture for 2 months in a modified conditioned medium. The sternness capacity of the PB-MNCS of camel was proven in this study and further study was needed to establish the clinical application of these stem cells.