Isolation, culture, and characterisation of human macular inner choroidal microvascular endothelial cells.
OBJECTIVE
To develop a method for the reliable isolation of adult human macular inner choroidal endothelial cells (ICECs) and to subsequently characterise them for their expression of a range of endothelial cell associated surface markers.


METHODS
Human ICECs were isolated after manual dissection of maculas from fresh human posterior segments. Following enzyme digestion to form a single cell suspension, the ICECs were isolated using anti-CD31 coated Dynabeads. The isolated cells were grown in culture and examined for typical endothelial cell morphology, surface expression of vWf, CD 31, CD 105, VEGF receptors 1 and 2, and expression of E-selectin after stimulation with TNF-alpha. The cells were also examined for their ability to form fenestrations and capillary-like tubes in Matrigel.


RESULTS
The method enabled the rapid isolation of viable cells that demonstrated typical endothelial cobblestone morphology in culture. The cells stained positive for CD31, vWf, CD105, VEGF receptors 1 and 2, and E-selectin (after stimulation with TNF-alpha). The cells stained negative for alpha smooth muscle actin and fibroblast surface protein. The cells also developed fenestrations when cultured on fibronectin coated plates and formed capillary-like tubes structures when cultured on Matrigel.


CONCLUSIONS
This technique isolates cells from the human macular inner choroid that display features consistent with vascular endothelial cells. These cells could subsequently be used to further the understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of diseases of the inner choroid, such as choroidal neovascularisation.
Browning
A C
AC
Division of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Centre, University Hospital, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK.
Gray
T
T
Amoaku
W M
WM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015703:Antigens, CD; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D002829:Choroid / Q000098:blood supply*; D003094:Collagen; D004210:Dissection / Q000379:methods; D004338:Drug Combinations; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000378:metabolism; D000071063:Endoglin; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D007797:Laminin; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000098:blood supply*; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D008875:Middle Aged; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D011509:Proteoglycans; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000378:metabolism
D015703:Antigens, CD; D004338:Drug Combinations; D019040:E-Selectin; C064206:ENG protein, human; D000071063:Endoglin; D007797:Laminin; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D011509:Proteoglycans; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D014841:von Willebrand Factor; C059485:matrigel; D003094:Collagen; D040262:Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor