Varicose veins as a source of adult human endothelial cells.

Endothelial cells can be harvested from segments of adult human saphenous vein in a varicose condition removed from patients having single or bilateral vein ligation and stripping. The cells are harvested by scraping with a scalpel, seeded on to gelatin coated or Primaria flasks and are passaged by removal with a rubber policeman. The cells cultured in this manner are maintained in a growth medium that is not supplemented with growth factors. The cells grow with a cobblestone monolayer morphology, possess angiotensin converting enzyme activity and react with antibodies to Factor VIII antigen. The cells fluoresce brightly after reaction with monoclonal antibodies specific for human endothelial cells. Thus, stripped varicose vein segments provide a readily available source of endothelial cells.