CLONED MOUSE CEREBROVASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL-CELLS THAT MAINTAIN THEIR DIFFERENTIATION MARKERS FOR FACTOR-VIII, LOW-DENSITY-LIPOPROTEIN, AND ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME

This communication describes a relatively novel cell culture technique for the isolation of cerebrovascular endothelial cells from three str ains of inbred mice. Cerebrovascular endothelial cells were identified by their morphology, the presence of Factor VIII-related antigen and angiotensin-converting enzyme, and the uptake of acetylated low-densit y lipoprotein. Cloned cerebrovascular endothelial cells were found to maintain their differentiated state and diploid genotype through 15 se rial passages. The morphology and growth characteristics of these cell s were found to be altered when cultured on different extracellular ma trices. The isolation and cloning methods described are simple and hig hly reproducible.