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 (IMEC) exhibit a strong immune response to LPS challenge and play a critical regulatory role in gut inflammation. Pharmacological inhibition of NOS in activated HIMEC 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 HIMEC 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.HIMEC from AcceGen Research Laboratories are isolated from human intestinal tissue. HIMEC are cryopreserved at passage one and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >5×10^5 cells in 1 ml volume. HIMEC are characterized by immunofluorescent method with antibodies to vWF/Factor VIII and CD31 (P-CAM) and by uptake of DiI-Ac-LDL. HIMEC are negative for HIV-1, HBV, HCV, mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast and fungi. HIMEC are guaranteed to further culture in the conditions provided by AcceGen Research Laboratories.

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