# Exploring the role of hypoxia in human pluripotent stem cell derived endothelial cell vascular network formation and pericyte

> **NIH NIH F31** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $43,176

## Abstract

Project Summary 
 
Human pluripotent stem cell derived endothelial cells (hPSC-­ECs) and pericytes are an ideal autologous cell 
source for use in vascular therapies. ECs line the inner layer of the vasculature and pericytes provide support 
to small diameter vessels in order to regulate vascular permeability. Derivation of these cells from hPSCs 
requires time sensitive delivery of growth factors and small molecules in order to induce vascular fate. 
Characterization of these cells is often limited to 2D in vitro assays and cell surface protein verification. As we 
move towards therapeutic use, functional characterization is necessary to ensure their translational efficiency 
and efficacy. Hypoxia has been shown to be a key regulator of EC fate, neovascularization, and regeneration. 
However, its role in vascular stabilization through pericyte recruitment has not been studied. Here, thorough 
analysis of hPSC-­ECs and pericytes in hypoxic environments we aim to: (1) Study network kinetics of hPSC-­
ECs in 3D low oxygen environments, (2) study hPSC-­ECs and hPSC-­pericyte interactions in hypoxia in vitro, 
and (3) Study hPSC-­EC-­pericyte interactions in a mouse oxygen induced retinopathy model. These aims 
require a multidisciplinary approach, interfacing stem cell and vascular biology with tissue engineering. 
Successful completion of these aims will broaden our understanding of hPSC-­ECs and pericytes behavior 
towards therapeutic modalities.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9954138
- **Project number:** 5F31HL143972-03
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Bria Macklin
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $43,176
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-07-01 → 2021-05-27

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9954138

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9954138, Exploring the role of hypoxia in human pluripotent stem cell derived endothelial cell vascular network formation and pericyte (5F31HL143972-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9954138. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*