Cell Specification
The brain microvascular endothelial cells are the major element of the blood-brain barrier and comprises the primary limitation to passage of substances, both soluble and cellular, from the blood into the brain. Brain microvascular endothelial cells utilize unique features that distinguish themselves from those of peripheral endothelial cells such as 1) numerous intercellular'tight junctions' that display high transendothelial electrical resistance and retard paracellular flux [1]; 2) absence of fenestrae and a reduced level of fluid-phase endocytosis [2] and 3) asymmetrically-localized enzymes and carrier-mediated transport systems that engender a truly 'polarized' phenotype [3]. Like peripheral endothelial cells, however, brain microvacular endothelial cells express cell adhesion molecules on their surface that regulate the extravasation of leukocytes into the brain. In view of the organ specificity of microvascular endothelial cells, endothelial cells should be derived from the tissue involved in the diseases one wishes to study.

HBMEC from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from human brain tissue. HBMEC are cryopreserved immediately after purification and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >5 x 10⁵ cells in 1 ml volume. HBMEC are characterized by immunofluorescent method with antibodies to vWF/Factor VIII and CD31 (P-CAM), by uptake of DiI-Ac-LDL and by the formation of microtublar structure in vitro. HBMEC are negative for HIV-1, HBV, HCV, mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast and fungi. HBMEC are guaranteed to further expand in the conditions specified by ScienCell Research Laboratories.

Recommended Medium
It is recommended to use Endothelial Cell Medium (ECM, Cat. No. 1001) for the culturing of HBMEC in vitro.

Product Use
HBMEC are for research use only. They are not approved for human or animal use, or for application in in vitro diagnostic procedures.

Storage
Transfer cells directly and immediately from dry ice to liquid nitrogen upon receiving and keep the cells in liquid nitrogen until cell culture is needed for experiments.

Shipping
Dry ice.

Reference
[1] Crone, C. and Oleson, S. P. (1992) Electrical resistance of brain microvessel endothelium. Brain Res. 241: 49-55.
[2] Reese, T. S. and Karnovsky, M. J. (1967) Fine structural localization of blood-brain barrier to exogenous peroxidase. J. Cell Biol. 34:9-14.
[3] Vorbrodt, A. W. (1988) Ultrastructural cytochemistry of blood-brain barrier endothelia. Prog. Histochem. Cytochem. 18(3):1-96.