Prostacyclin expression by a continuous human cell line derived from vascular endothelium.

Prostacyclin is primarily an endothelial cell product. It contributes to the important role of endothelium in maintaining the fluidity of blood by inhibiting platelet aggregation and by promoting vasodilation. Endothelial cells in culture tend to senesce, and the level of prostacyclin expression decreases. A permanent human cell line, EA.hy 926, derived from a fusion of primary endothelial cells with cells of a less differentiated line, has been found to sustain basal and stimulated levels of prostacyclin synthesis.