Changes in human endothelial cell energy metabolic capacities during in vitro cultivation. The role of "aerobic glycolysis" and proliferation.

Background: In this study the influence of cultivation and proliferation on energy metabolic characteristics of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) has been examined. The energy metabolic capacities of human endothelial cells freshly isolated from the umbilical vein were compared with those after cultivation for three passages and as subconfluent and confluent cultures.

Methods: Expression of cell type-specific differentiation markers and proliferative activity were studied in dependency on cultivation characteristics.