Human Cardiac Microvascular Endothelial Cells (HCMEC)

Product Description

The endothelial cells modulate vascular tone by release of several endothelium-derived contracting and relaxing factors, by regulation and degradation of vasoactive peptides, and by enzymes located on the Cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (HCMEC) play important roles in myocardial function. HCMEC regulate vascular tone by releasing and degrading endothelium-derived vasoactive factors, and modulating the local levels of vasoconstrictors and vasodilators through their enzymatic activities. Many of these substances can also modify myocardial contractile behavior [1]. Furthermore, microvasculature has been shown to participate in the regulation of leukocyte recruitment, inflammation, and angiogenesis. They are also capable of trans-differentiating into myofibroblasts, suggesting a role in aberrant accumulation of matrix and fibrotic disorders [2]. HCMEC cultures provide an invaluable tool for understanding HCMEC physiological and pathophysiological relevance in cardiac function and disease. 

iXCells Biotechnologies provides high quality HCMEC, which are isolated from human heart and cryopreserved at P2, with >0.5 million cells in each vial. These HCMEC express vWF/Factor VIII, CD31 (PECAM) (Figure 1), and Dil-Ac-LDL by uptake. They are negative for HIV-1, HBV, HCV, mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast, and fungi and can further expand for in Endothelial Cell Growth Medium (Cat# MD-0010) under the condition suggested by iXCells Biotechnologies. 

Figure 1. (A) Immunofluorescence staining for vWF (red) and CD31 (green). (B) Flow analysis showed that 85.09% of the cells are positive for CD31.

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References

[1] Yang, Z. K., Draper, N. J. and Shah, A. M. (1999) Ca2+-independent inhibition of myocardial contraction by coronary effluent of hypoxic rat hearts. Am. J. Physiol. 276:H623-632.
[2] Paulus, W. J., P. J. Vantrimpont, and A. M. Shah. Paracrine coronary endothelial control of left ventricular function in humans. Circulation 92: 2119-2162, 1995 
[3] Shah, A. M. (1996) Paracrine modulation of heart cell function by endothelial cells. Cardiovasc Res, 31(6):847-67.

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