Isolation of human capillary endothelial cells using paramagnetic beads conjugated to anti-PECAM antibodies.

The protocol described below outlines a technique to isolate and maintain pure populations of human capillary endothelial cells using an active selection technique that targets the platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM or CD31). Human abdominal wall adipose tissue is used as the source for capillary endothelial cells, which are partially purified before selection.