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 esophageal microvascular endothelial cells exhibit a strong inflammatory immune response to LPS, cytokines, and pH exposure, thus playing a critical regulatory role in esophageal inflammation. When exposed to acidic pH, HEMEC express some proteins, such as VCAM-1, but not others, such as ICAM-1, which is speculated to selectively recruit leukocytes to the esophagus. This could play a role in the cellular response triggered by gastroesophageal reflux disease. In vitro cultures of HEMEC have enabled scientists to observe leukocyte binding, upregulation of cell adhesion molecules, and other cellular responses to LPS, cytokines and pH exposure that indicate that HEMECs are intrinsically different from lower gastrointestinal endothelial cells in regards to an inflammatory immune response.HEMEC from AcceGen Research Laboratories are isolated from human esophageal tissue. HEMEC are cryopreserved at passage one and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >5×10^5 cells in 1 ml volume. HEMEC are characterized by immunofluorescent method with antibodies to vWF/Factor VIII and CD31 (P-CAM) and by uptake of DiI-Ac-LDL. HEMEC are negative for HIV-1, HBV, HCV, mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast and fungi. HEMEC are guaranteed to further culture in the conditions provided by AcceGen Research Laboratories.

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