Isolation and Culture of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs).

This protocol describes a simple and an economical method for isolation of endothelial cells from human umbilical vein. Umbilical cord is easily available postpartum following informed consent, and the method for its collection is noninvasive with few ethical concerns. Thus, umbilical vein is an ideal source for isolation of endothelial cells of human origin.

The protein tyrosine phosphatase PTP-PEST mediates hypoxia-induced endothelial autophagy and angiogenesis via AMPK activation.

Global and endothelial loss of PTP-PEST (also known as PTPN12) is associated with impaired cardiovascular development and embryonic lethality. Although hypoxia is implicated in vascular remodelling and angiogenesis, its effect on PTP-PEST remains unexplored. Here we report that hypoxia (1% oxygen) increases protein levels and catalytic activity of PTP-PEST in primary endothelial cells.

Hyperinsulinemia promotes endothelial inflammation via increased expression and release of Angiopoietin-2.

Background And Aims: Angiopoietin-2 (ANG-2) mediates endothelial inflammation to initiate atherosclerosis and angiogenesis. Here we determined the serum levels of ANG-2 in hyperinsulinemic subjects and whether insulin increases its expression and release.

Methods: Healthy male subjects were recruited from the D-CLIP and CURES studies and, based on their fasting insulin levels, were classified as normoinsulinemic (n = 228) and hyperinsulinemic (n = 32).

Amarogentin, a secoiridoid glycoside, activates AMP- activated protein kinase (AMPK) to exert beneficial vasculo-metabolic effects.

Introduction: AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a drug target for treatment of metabolic and cardiovascular complications. Extracts of Gentianaceace plants exhibit anti-diabetic and anti-atherosclerotic effects, however, whether their phyto-constitutents activate AMPK remains to be determined.

Methods: Molecular docking of Gentiana lutea constituents was performed with crystal structure of human αβγ trimeric AMPK (PDB ID: 4CFE).

Increased endothelial inflammation, sTie-2 and arginase activity in umbilical cords obtained from gestational diabetic mothers.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine subclinical inflammation in umbilical vein derived endothelial cells (HUVECs) obtained from Asian Indian subjects with gestational diabetes (GDM) and to determine levels of angiogenic factors and arginase activity in their cord blood.

Methods: This case-control study included 38 control and 30 GDM subjects. Subjects were confirmed as GDM based on 75g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) conducted in the second trimester of pregnancy.