Embryonic Stem Cell-Like Population in Venous Malformation

Authors: Elysia M.S. Tan, Sam D. Siljee, Helen D. Brasch, Susana Enriquez, Swee T. Tan and Tinte Itinteang

Frontiers in Medicine (Dermatology). October 2017. Doi:10.3389/fmed.2017.00162

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2017.00162/full

Vascular malformations alter arteries, veins, capillaries and lymphatic vessels. The most common of these is venous malformation, which affects about 1% of the population. These malformations are composed of anomalous veins with thin walls and are present at birth but only become apparent later in life.

The cause of this condition is not well understood although a number of possibilities have been proposed. We have identified and characterised stem cells in this condition. The paper reports that there are two populations of these cells, one being part of the lining of the blood vessels, the other outside the lining.

The further characterisation of these primitive cells is the subject of ongoing research in the hope of identifying properties that might provide the opportunity of regulating and controlling them and the consequent development of these malformations.