Isolation and characterization of rat lymphatic endothelial cells.

Monolayer cultures of rat lymphatic endothelial cell were obtained from explants of rat thoracic ducts. The cells displayed a typical cobblestone morphology, expressed von Willebrand factor (factor VIII-associated antigen) and angiotensin converting enzyme, and took up acetylated-low density lipoprotein, being indistinguishable by these criteria from blood vessel endothelial cells. The availability of these cells will facilitate the use of rat experimental models for functional studies of lymphatic endothelium.