HUVEC Primary Cells: Choosing the right endothelial cells

 Humans are susceptible to a wide range of illnesses, including cancer, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, and viral infections. They have an impact on various tissue types and result in numerous pathophysiologies. But they do have one characteristic, which is that they are all characterised by vascular endothelium dysfunction.

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) are typically used in studies on vascular endothelium. HUVECs primary cells were first isolated and grown in the 1970s, and since they are widely available, fairly simple to culture, highly proliferative, and able to migrate and infiltrate new tissues, they quickly established themselves as the foundation of cell researchers' work in many laboratories. HUVECs, on the other hand, may not accurately reflect in vivo settings because they originate from immune-privileged foetal tissue and may not be identical to adult vascular endothelium. As a result, due to the ambiguous relevance in adults, data produced with these cells are frequently questioned.

Is the HUVEC the ideal model for your study?

EC researchers, who were seeking more representative models, have recently become more vocal in their call for alternatives. There is now a wide variety of commercially accessible ECs, making the use of primary cells more appealing. A successful experimental setting depends on asking the proper question and choosing the appropriate cells due to the significant degree of heterogeneity among ECs from various tissues. Therefore, depending on your area of interest, either adult cells or HUVECs may be more appropriate for application in cell culture. Adult endothelial cells could be the best option for a deeper knowledge of the tissue-specific characteristics, even though HUVECs make a very effective original model.

We start with HUVECs since they are very appropriate in vitro models for early investigations when looking for variables that may have an impact on the stability of the endothelial membrane during inflammation. Then, in order to comprehend the mechanisms of graft rejection, we adopt organ-specific primary ECs produced from renal or lung tissue. We may be able to produce ECs in three dimensions as opposed to two in the future, which could lead to the development of novel experimental models.

Dealing with the endothelial cells of patients' ex vivo

Working with primary cells collected ex vivo by endovascular biopsy is important for the direct characterisation of the phenotype of human ECs. For this reason, ECs from both healthy and patients with vascular disorders can be separated from the saphenous vein, from peripheral veins, and from the aorta. Due to the fact that they accurately reflect their native environment, these basic cells give fresh insights into the human endothelium. However, a significant limitation is the scarce supply of human endothelium tissue.

The Outlook…

Your vascular study might advance if you had the option of selecting primary ECs from other sources. However, you must carefully consider your options and determine which endothelial cell-based approach is most compatible with the key in vivo mechanisms. You'll have the best chance of answering a question if you define it properly first.

Since primary endothelial cells (ECs) are readily available, human umbilical vein cells (HUVECs) have long been the main source of ECs. Choose adult ECs that more closely approximate in vitro settings to advance your endothelial research and explore adult vascular pathology.