Endothelial cells lining the microvasculature are known to play a critical “gatekeeper” role in the inflammatory process through their ability to recruit circulating immune cells into tissues and foci of inflammation. Studies show that intestinal microvascular endothelial cells (IMEC) exhibit a strong immune response to LPS challenge and play a critical regulatory role in gut inflammation. Pharmacological inhibition of NOS in activated HIMEC resulted in a significant increase in leukocyte binding. Gene expression profile studies revealed that intestinal endothelial cells express biotinidase, which is involved in biotin recycling. HIMEC cultures have enabled scientists to perform systematic analyses of cytokine profiles with regard to mRNA expression and protein secretion, and to compare these data with cytokine profiles from other endothelial cells. HIMEC from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from human intestinal tissue. HIMEC are cryopreserved at passage one and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >5 x 105 cells in 1 ml volume. HIMEC are characterized by immunofluorescence with antibodies specific to vWF/Factor VIII and/or CD31 (PECAM1). HIMEC are negative for HIV-1, HBV, HCV, mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast and fungi. HIMEC are guaranteed to further expand for 10 population doublings under the conditions provided by ScienCell Research Laboratories. Recommended Medium It is recommended to use Endothelial Cell Medium (ECM, Cat. #1001) for culturing HIMEC in vitro.