Macrovascular Endothelial Cells from Porcine Aorta

Abstract

The ability to grow pure cultures of large vessel endothelial cells has resulted in a marked increase in our understanding of the function of these cells. For a long time endothelial cells were thought to be rather inert cells forming a physical barrier on the inside of blood vessels. There was very little appreciation of the complex metabolic activity that these cells carry out. It is now clear that in addition to actively participating in the regulation of the two main functions of the endothelium, that of a macromolecular barrier and of a thromboresistant surface [16], large vessel endothelial cells have a wide range of metabolic activities. Culture studies have also shown that the endothelial cells secrete components of the wall and substances that regulate smooth muscle cell function.