Efficient method for the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into functional brain microvascular endothelial (BME)-like cells

We developed an efficient method for the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) into functional brain microvascular endothelial (BME)-like cells. Here, we compared the whole-gene expression pattern of BME-like cells differentiated from hPSCs with primary BMECs (pBMECs). Comparison of expressed genes in the purified BME-like cells and pBMECs indicated a high degree of similarity. Furthermore, brain ECs related gene, including BBB membrane specific proteins, transporters, and channels, showed similar levels between BME-like cells and pBMECs. This study reveals that hPSC-derived BME-like cells have similar character with pBMECs.