Growth requirements for bovine aortic endothelium in vitro

Abstract

In this chapter we will examine whether factors known to stimulate nonendothelial cells also promote endothelial cell proliferation. Our emphasis will be on the most thoroughly characterized endothelial cell, the bovine aortic endothelial (BAE) cell. This is one of several types of endothelial cells now successfully grown in culture. Other endothelial cells have been derived from human umbilical vein (HUVE) (1–4); lung (5); dermal capillaries (6); bovine capillaries (6); rat brain capillaries (7); bovine (8–10), rabbit (11) and swine (12) aorta. Cells from the bovine aorta have been extensively investigated in a number of laboratories due to the availability of tissue, the ease of propagation and cloning, and the capacity to be passaged multiple times in culture. The discussion of putative endothelial cell growth factors will be limited to those factors that have been tested on bovine cells derived from large arteries. Where data are lacking or interesting contrasts seem appropriate, reference will be made to cells derived from other species. Table 1 lists some of the exogenous factors tested on bovine endothelial cell proliferation and migration.