Preparation and culturing of human primary vascular cells

Finnbogi R. Thormodsson, Ingvar H. Olafsson, Dadi Th Vilhjalmsson

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingBook chapterResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) results from amyloid accumulation within arteries of the cerebral cortex and leptomeninges. This condition is age-related, especially prevalent in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and the main feature of certain hereditary disorders (i.e., HCHWA-I). The vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) appear to play a vital role in the development of CAA, which makes them well suited as an experimental model to study the disease and screen for possible remedies. We describe two different methods for isolating and culturing human VSMCs: First, using the human umbilical cord as an easy source of robust cells, and secondly, using brain tissue that provides the proper cerebral VSMCs, but is more problematic to work with. The umbilical cord also provides human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC), useful primary cells for vascular research. Finally, the maintenance, preservation, and characterization of the isolated vascular cells are described.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationMethods in Molecular Biology
PublisherHumana Press
Pages355-369
Number of pages15
Volume1779
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018 Jan 1
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameMethods in Molecular Biology
Volume1779
ISSN (Print)1064-3745

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Cell and Molecular Biology

Free keywords

  • Amyloid
  • Cell culture
  • Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA)
  • Cerebral blood vessels
  • Cystatin C
  • HCHWA-I
  • Human
  • Human umbilical vascular edothelial cells (HUVEC)
  • Immunostaining
  • Leptomeninges
  • Umbilical cord
  • Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC)

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