Animals ; Bile Ducts ; cytology ; Cell Transdifferentiation ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; Liver ; embryology ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; biosynthesis

Objective To characterize the differential and proliferative activities of FLK-1+ cells derived from mouse fetal liver. Method The FLK-1+ fraction were enriched from the fetal liver using immunomagnetic method and their differential and proliferative activities were examined in culture medium and in vivo via transplantation of FLK-1 + cells into the inferior pole of the spleen of nine-week-old male C57BL/6 mice after two-thirds hepatectomy. Results In response to growth factors, FLK-1 + cells expressed typical lineage-specific markers for vascular endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells. Intrahepatic implantation of FLK-1 + cells resulted in the formation of blood vessels in the fibrous capsule of partially hepatectomized liver. Conclusion These results indicate that FLK-1 + cells derived from mouse fetal liver could differentiate into endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells and they may serve as potential stem cells for clinical cellbased therapy.