Primary Human Cardiac Microvascular Endothelial Cells (HCMEC) are isolated from heart ventricles from a single donor. The cells are routinely analyzed by immunofluorescent staining: they stain positive for CD31 and von Willebrand factor and negative for smooth muscle α-actin.
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.