Preparation of endothelial cells

Endothelial cells, which line blood vessels, can be prepared from a variety of tissues. They are frequently prepared from the umbilical vein, which is relatively easy to obtain. The procedure is clearly described and provides a large population of highly purified endothelial cells. There are also methods for obtaining endothelial cells from other tissues such as fat, skin, and mucosa. These methods require special care and generate smaller populations of cells.