ISOLATION AND CULTURE OF BOVINE INTRACRANIAL ARTERIAL ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS

WE REPORT A simple explant technique to isolate and propagate endothel ial cells from bovine cerebral arteries. The endothelial nature of the cells was confirmed by the presence of Factor VIII/von Willebrand ant igen, the ability to phagocytize low-density lipoprotein, and the abil ity to be induced to express E-selectin. The lack of expression of the CD11c antigen and the absence of smooth muscle alpha-actin immunofluo rescence suggested that the cultures were not contaminated with macrop hages or smooth muscle cells, respectively. This technique yields pure cerebral arterial endothelial cell cultures, which will be of value f or in vitro investigation of cerebrovascular physiology and disease pr ocesses.