Resumen

AMARU, Ricardo, SILVESTRE, Julio, TORRES, Gina et al. Primera experiencia en aislamiento de células endoteliales humanas en Bolivia. Cuad. - Hosp. Clín., 2005, vol.50, no.2, p.49-54. ISSN 1652-6776.

Introduction Endothelial cell study yields valuable information concerning many pathologic processes such as atherosclerosis, inflammation, neoplasia and angiogenesis. This paper describes the first Bolivian experience in isolation and culture of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Methods A long segment of the umbilical cord was processed by collagenase digestion. Endothelial cells were detached from intima and further cultured using M199 culture media. Morphologic, immunochemistry and flow cytometry approaches were used to identify these cells. Results Morphologic and immunochemistry analysis of the pool of obtained cells were positive for HUVEC. CD34 staining was positive in more than 90% of the cells obtained by collagenase digestion as assessed by flow cytometry. Conclusion HUVEC were successfully isolated for the first time in Bolivia. A great deal of further experiments and applications in biomedical sciences is possible .

Palabras llave: Endothelial cells; isolation; culture; flow cytometry.