In vitro transformation of monocytes and dendritic cells into endothelial like cells.

Our in vitro data indicate that peripheral blood monocytes or monocyte-derived immature dendritic cells under appropriate culture conditions transdifferentiate into endothelial-like cells (ELC), which are characterized by the expression of endothelial markers and the formation of tube-like structures. Dependent on the culture conditions a mixed macrophage/endothelial or an endothelial phenotype could be induced. A similar pattern of development could be seen in CD14+ monocyte-derived ELC and ELC grown from CD34+ precursor cells or from dendritic cells generated from CD34+ cells. These in vitro data suggest that monocytes are precursors of different subgroups of endothelial cells and that the formation of endothelial cells from CD34+ progenitor cells follows a similar pathway possibly via the monocyte and/or the immature dendritic cell.