HUVEC

HUVEC stands for Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell. These cells are a type of endothelial cell isolated from the umbilical cord vein of a human newborn. Endothelial cells form the inner lining of blood vessels, playing crucial roles in vascular homeostasis, blood clotting, inflammation, and angiogenesis. HUVECs are widely used in research as a readily available and well-characterized model system for studying these vascular functions.

The isolation of HUVECs typically involves enzymatic digestion of the umbilical cord vein. Once isolated, they can be cultured in specialized media to proliferate and maintain their endothelial phenotype. Key characteristics of HUVECs include their cobblestone morphology when grown to confluence, expression of specific endothelial markers such as CD31 (PECAM-1), von Willebrand factor (vWF), and VEGFR2, and their ability to form tube-like structures in vitro, mimicking angiogenesis.

Due to their accessibility and biological relevance, HUVECs are invaluable tools for a variety of research applications. They are frequently employed in studies investigating the mechanisms of atherosclerosis, thrombosis, inflammation, and the development of new therapies for cardiovascular diseases. Researchers also utilize HUVECs to examine the effects of various drugs, growth factors, and signaling molecules on endothelial cell behavior. Their use allows for controlled experimentation in a human-derived cellular context, contributing to a better understanding of human vascular biology and disease processes.