Primary human cardiac microvascular endothelial cells (HCMEC) are isolated from heart ventricles from a single donor. The cells are routinely analysed by immunofluorescent staining - they stain positive for CD31 and Willebrand factor and negative for smooth muscle alpha-actin.

Applications: Angiogenesis research, oncology, drug uptake studies, cell-cell junction investigation, inflammation studies.

HCMEC intensively interact with cardiomyocytes and therefore have a characteristic phenotype different from other microvascular endothelial cells. HCMEC play an important role in the physiological regulation of coronary blood flow and capillary exchange. Medical conditions such as hypertrophy, ischemia, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus are associated with endothelial dysfunction.