Endothelium is a single layer of squamous endothelial cells that line the interior surface of blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels. The endothelium forms an interface between circulating blood or lymph in the lumen and the rest of the vessel wall. Endothelial cells form the barrier between vessels and tissue and control the flow of substances and fluid into and out of a tissue.

The endothelium forms an interface between circulating blood or lymph in the lumen and the rest of the vessel wall. This forms a barrier between vessels and tissues and control the flow of substances and fluid into and out of a tissue. This controls the passage of materials and the transit of white blood cells into and out of the bloodstream. Excessive or prolonged increases in permeability of the endothelium, as in cases of chronic inflammation, may lead to tissue swelling (edema). Altered barrier function is also implicated in cancer extravasation.

The in vitro culture of primary human endothelial cells is a widely established model system used to investigate several cardiovascular diseases and cancer research applications. Our comprehensive endothelial cell culture portfolio consists of 12 different types of large vessel and microvascular human endothelial cells with optimized growth media for each cell type.

PromoCell large vessel endothelial cells are available from the umbilical vein and artery, the aorta, the coronary artery, the pulmonary artery, and the saphenous vein. Our microvascular endothelial cells are available from dermal, lung, cardiac and uterine tissues. All our cell types are sourced from healthy, consented donors.  Specific donor information like age, sex and tissue location is available for each produced lot. Endothelial cells from diseased donors (e.g. diabetes, myopathies) are available upon request.

Just like the cellular microenvironment is different for large and microvascular vessels, such are their media requirements. At PromoCell we have developed optimized growth media for both large vessel and microvascular endothelial cell types. In addition, we offer media formulations with and without Endothelial Cell Growth Supplement (ECGS), a bovine hypothalamic extract traditionally used for cultivating endothelial cells without added VEGF. Generally, VEGF leads to higher endothelial cell proliferation in culture. But, because of its multiple effects on the cell metabolism, it may also interfere with certain experimental setups.

Regards
Meria Den
Managing Editor
Stroke Research & Therapy