Endothelial cells form the tunica intima—the thin layer of cells that line the interior surface of blood vessels. This smooth anticoagulant surface functions as a selective filter to regulate the passage of gases, fluid, immune cells, and various molecules. Human primary endothelial cells can be isolated from human umbilical vein, aorta, pulmonary and coronary arteries, and dermal vascular tissue (HMVEC), and serve as useful tools in the study of angiogenesis, cancer therapy, wound healing, burn therapy, high-throughput and high-content screening projects, cell signaling studies, gene expression profiling, toxicology screening, tissue engineering, and regeneration. Additionally, primary endothelial cells can be incubated with mesenchymal stem cells or fibroblasts to establish a complex endothelial-smooth muscle cell culture that represents the tissue architecture of arterioles.
Primary Endothelial Cell Culture Guide
ATCC primary human endothelial cells can be cultured in a complete growth medium containing either bovine brain extract or vascular endothelial growth factor. ATCC’s Endothelial Cell Growth Kit-VEGF will support a faster rate of proliferation, while the Endothelial Cell Growth Kit-BBE is recommended if a less-defined cell culture medium is desired.
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hTERT-immortalized Primary Cells
hTERT-immortalized Primary Cells offer extended proliferative capacity in vitro. They exhibit the growth characteristics of a continuous cell line. Unlike primary cells, hTERT-immortalized Primary Cells do not senesce after a few passages; rather, they continue to proliferate and express primary cell phenotypic characteristics.
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