Human cerebral endothelium: isolation and characterization of cells derived from microvessels of non-neoplastic and malignant glial tissue.

Human microvessels were isolated and cultured from non-neoplastic cerebral tissue specimens resected for the treatment of seizure disorders and from malignant glial tumors. After 1-2 weeks, cobblestone patterned plaques of cells were isolated and cultured from these microvessels. Cell lines positive for Factor VIII antigen and negative for glial fibrillary acidic protein were designated as endothelium. Endothelium from both tissue sources produced gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase in response to glial cell conditioned media. Tumor derived microvessel endothelium had decreased longevity in culture when compared to normal microvessel endothelium. Tumor derived endothelium also formed less extensive intercellular junctional complexes in vitro. The isolation and characterization of human cerebral microvessel endothelium derived from non-neoplastic tissue and glial tumors may lead to a further understanding of the role of endothelium in tumor growth and vascular permeability alterations.