HMEC-1 cells, or Human Microvascular Endothelial Cells-1, are an immortalized cell line derived from human dermal microvascular endothelial cells. This cell line was developed to facilitate research on the microvascular endothelial function and pathology. HMEC-1 cells are extensively used in vascular biology research due to their ability to retain many of the phenotypic and functional characteristics of primary endothelial cells.

HMEC-1 cells display typical endothelial cell markers such as CD31 (PECAM-1), von Willebrand factor, and VE-cadherin, and they can form capillary-like structures when cultured on appropriate matrices, mimicking angiogenesis in vitro. This makes them particularly valuable for studies on angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing vasculature, a critical process in both physiological and pathological conditions such as wound healing, cancer growth, and cardiovascular diseases.

These cells are also used to explore endothelial cell responses to inflammatory cytokines, the barrier function of endothelial layers, and the interaction between endothelial cells and other cell types like immune cells. HMEC-1 cells are amenable to genetic manipulation, allowing researchers to investigate the impact of specific genes on endothelial function and to model various vascular diseases.

Furthermore, HMEC-1 cells serve as a model system for studying the permeability of endothelial barriers, which is crucial in the context of drug delivery and the pathogenesis of infectious diseases where pathogens cross endothelial barriers. The cell line?s versatility and ease of use continue to make it a cornerstone in studies of microvascular endothelial cell biology and pathology.