The participation of endothelial cells in various physiologic and pathologic processes has been hypothesized since before the turn of the century. However, until recently, direct evidence for endothelial involvement in these processes has been extremely difficult to obtain due to the inability to study endothelial cell function in vitro. Though the possibility of using cultured endothelial cells to study endothelial cell function in vitro was recognized many years ago, the inability to culture unambiguously identifiable endothelial cells limited investigators in their studies of endothelial function. As a result, the field of endothelial cell biology lay relatively fallow for many years. The development in the early 1970's of routine and easily implemented methods for culturing human endothelial cells and the demonstration that cultured endothelial cells synthesized a physiologically relevant protein, Factor VIII/von Willebrand Factor, quickly changed this state of affairs. Over the following decade the scope of endothelial cell research rapidly widened, spreading in a number of directions. First, methods were developed to culture endothelial cells from a variety of species. Second, methods were developed to culture endothelial cells from different organs and types of blood vessels (arteries, veins, and capillaries) within a single species. Third, and most important, investigators began using cultured endothelial cells as tools to study the potential involvement of endothelial cells in a wide assortment of biologically interesting processes. The net result has been a tremendous increase in our understanding of endothelial cell function.

Endothelial cell biology has developed into a vibrant discipline and has become a critical instrument to study several disease processes on the cellular and molecular level. It is now widely recognized that dysfunctions of normal endothelial cell homeostasis are involved in some of the most important human diseases, including ischemic heart diseases, hypertension, atherosclerosis, tumors, diabetes, arthritis, and inflammation. Further, the increasing importance and recognition of the field of vascular biology in general requires in vitro and in vivo techniques in order to address the complex questions. Methods in Endothelial Cell Biology is a comprehensive practical "how-to"-guide summarizing the most relevant established techniques as well as a number of new emerging techniques. Easy-to-follow reliable protocols provide a useful lab bench resource for the experienced researcher and newcomer to the field.

The vascular endothelium lining the inner surface of blood vessels serves as the first interface for circulating blood components to interact with cells of the vascular wall and surrounding extravascular tissues. In addition to regulating blood delivery and perfusion, a major function of vascular endothelia, especially those in exchange microvessels (capillaries and postcapillary venules), is to provide a semipermeable barrier that controls blood–tissue exchange of fluids, nutrients, and metabolic wastes while preventing pathogens or harmful materials in the circulation from entering into tissues. During host defense against infection or tissue injury, endothelial barrier dysfunction occurs as a consequence as well as cause of inflammatory responses. Plasma leakage disturbs fluid homeostasis and impairs tissue oxygenation, a pathophysiological process contributing to multiple organ dysfunction associated with trauma, infection, metabolic disorder, and other forms of disease. In this book, we provide an updated overview of microvascular endothelial barrier structure and function in health and disease. The discussion is initiated with the basic physiological principles of fluid and solute transport across microvascular endothelium, followed by detailed information on endothelial cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions and the experimental techniques that are employed to measure endothelial permeability. Further discussion focuses on the signaling and molecular mechanisms of endothelial barrier responses to various stimulations or drugs, as well as their relevance to several common clinical conditions. Taken together, this book provides a comprehensive analysis of microvascular endothelial cell and molecular pathophysiology. Such information will assist scientists and clinicians in advanced basic and clinical research for improved health care.

Endothelial cell biology has developed into a vibrant discipline and has become a critical instrument to study several disease processes on the cellular and molecular level. It is now widely recognized that dysfunctions of normal endothelial cell homeostasis are involved in some of the most important human diseases, including ischemic heart diseases, hypertension, atherosclerosis, tumors, diabetes, arthritis, and inflammation. Further, the increasing importance and recognition of the field of vascular biology in general requires in vitro and in vivo techniques in order to address the complex questions. Methods in Endothelial Cell Biology is a comprehensive practical "how-to"-guide summarizing the most relevant established techniques as well as a number of new emerging techniques. Easy-to-follow reliable protocols provide a useful lab bench resource for the experienced researcher and newcomer to the field.

At some point in their careers, virtually every scientist and technician, as well as many medical professionals, regardless of their area of specialization have a need to utilize cell culture systems. Updating and significantly expanding upon the previous editions, Basic Cell Culture Protocols, Fourth Edition provides the novice cell culturist with sufficient information to perform the basic techniques, to ensure the health and identity of their cell lines, and to be able to isolate and culture specialized primary cell types. The intent of this extensive volume is to generate a valuable resource containing clear methodologies pertinent to current areas of investigation, rather than attempting to educate cell culturists on specific cell types or organ systems. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular BiologyTM, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Comprehensive and up-to-date, Basic Cell Culture Protocols, Fourth Edition compiles the essential techniques needed to approach this vital laboratory activity with full success.

The aim of the Handbooks in Practical Animal Cell Biology is to provide practical workbooks for those involved in primary cell culture. Each volume addresses a different cell lineage, and contains an introductory section followed by individual chapters on the culture of specific differentiated cell types. The authors of each chapter are leading researchers in their fields and use their first-hand experience to present reliable techniques in a clear and thorough manner. Endothelial Cell Culture contains chapters on endothelial cells derived from 1) lung, 2) bone marrow, 3) brain, 4) mammary glands, 5) skin, 6) adipose tissue, 7) female reproductive system, and 8) synovium.