Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide, and extensive research has been performed to understand this disease better, using various experimental models. The endothelium plays a crucial role in the development of CVD, since it is an interface between bloodstream components, such as monocytes and platelets, and other arterial wall components. Human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) isolation from umbilical cord was first described in 1973. To date, this model is still widely used because of the high HUVEC isolation success rate, and because HUVEC are an excellent model to study a broad array of diseases, including cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. We here review the history of HUVEC isolation, the HUVEC model over time, HUVEC culture characteristics and conditions, advantages and disadvantages of this model and finally, its applications in the area of cardiovascular diseases.
Highlights
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is highly prevalent in the adult population and the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally [1]
Studies in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) have been acknowledged as a useful model for research on human endothelium. This model does not represent all endothelial cell types found in an organism, Human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) are an excellent model for the study of vascular endothelium properties and the main biological pathways involved in endothelium function [11]
The aim of this review is to provide an extensive and thorough review of human umbilical cord properties, historical and methodological aspects of HUVEC isolation and culture, and to describe different approaches that have been useful to understand CVD and other cardiometabolic conditions
Summary
Departamento de Ingeniería Celular y Biocatálisis; Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional
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