ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Endothelium
;
Human umbilical cord vein
;
In vitro culture
;
Weibel-Palade bodies
;
Electron microscopy
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The ultrastructure of human umbilical cord vein endothelium in situ, after isolation by collagenase treatment, and in primary culture is described. The cultured cells formed a monolayer with typical “butt” and interdigitated junctions with specialized areas, and contained Weibel-Palade bodies, rod-shaped tubular organelles considered specific of endothelial cells. These morphological features were not present in cultures of human skin fibroblasts and fibroblast-like cells derived from umbilical cords. It is thus concluded that endothelial cells retain their characteristic fine structure in primary culture. Simple ultrastructural studies can thus be used to identify endothelial cells in culture.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00223261
