title: Isolation, characterization and long-term culture of human myometrial microvascular endothelial cells.
abstract: Angiogenesis, defined as the growth of new vessels from pre-existing vessels, involves microvascular rather than large vessel endothelial cells. Accordingly, microvascular endothelial cell (MEC) proliferation assays are an appropriate in-vitro model of angiogenesis. We have developed a method for the isolation and long-term culture of large numbers of MEC from the human myometrium, tissue readily available from hysterectomy specimens. Human myometrial MEC were positively selected from tissue dissociated sequentially with collagenase and trypsin using Ulex europeaus antigen-1 (UEA)-coated dynabeads. Cultured myometrial MEC displayed characteristic endothelial phenotype and function for up to 14 passages: cobblestone morphology, formed capillary-like tubes on Matrigel, expressed CD31, Factor VIII-related antigen, bound UEA lectin, incorporated 1,1'-dioctadecyl-1,3,3,3', 3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate-labelled acetylated low density lipoprotein, migrated and proliferated in response to basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), but not epidermal growth factor. Optimal growth of human myometrial MEC occurred in a simple medium comprising M199, 5 ng/ml bFGF, 15% human serum, 5% fetal calf serum (FCS) and heparin. Human serum was essential for growth, although there was a synergistic effect when FCS was included. Almost identical dose-response curves were obtained for bFGF- and VEGF-induced myometrial MEC proliferation in early and late passage cells. Therefore myometrial MEC are a good model for in-vitro studies of uterine angiogenesis, since they have a stable phenotype and proliferative responsiveness to VEGF and bFGF for up to 14 passages.
authors.affiliation: Monash University Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Gargett
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bucak
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Rogers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000494:pharmacology; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000166:cytology*; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D009215:Myometrium / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000166:cytology; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D013997:Time Factors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
chemical_list: D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D006133:Growth Substances; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D000242:Cyclic AMP