Endothelial cells lining the microvasculature are known to play a critical "gatekeeper" role in the inflammatory process through their ability to recruit circulating immune cells into tissues and foci of inflammation. Studies show that intestinal microvascular endothelial cells exhibit a strong immune response to LPS challenge and play a critical regulatory role in gut inflammation. Pharmacological inhibition of NOS in activated intestinal microvascular endothelial cells resulted in a significant increase in leukocytes binding. Gene expression profile study reveals that intestinal endothelial cells express biotinidase, which is involved in biotin recycling. The in vitro culture of these cells enabled scientists to perform systematic analyses of the cytokine profiles with regard to mRNA expression and protein secretion, and to compare such data with cytokine profiles concomitantly displayed by other endothelial cells.HCoMEC from AcceGen Research Laboratories are isolated from human colonic tissue. HCoMEC are cryopreserved at passage one and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >5×10^5 cells in 1 ml volume. HCoMEC are characterized by immunofluorescent method with antibodies to vWF/Factor VIII and CD31 (P-CAM) and by uptake of DiI-Ac-LDL. HCoMEC are negative for HIV-1, HBV, HCV, mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast and fungi. HCoMEC are guaranteed to further culture in the conditions provided by AcceGen Research Laboratories.
