Abstract: Objective To establish a simple and efficient method for isolation and culture of adult rat cardiac microvascular endothelial cells. Methods 7 to 8 weeks old Wistar rats were anesthetized and thoracotomy was performed. Cardiac microvascular endothelial cells were separated by heart perfusion and enzymatic digestion. The morphology and growth curve of the third generation cells were investigated by inverted microscope. Its molecular markers factor Ⅷ-related antigen and CD31 were detected by immunocytochemistry and immunofluoresence. The angiogenic ability was examined by matrigel. Results The primary cultured cardiac microvascular endothelial cells in vitro were polygonal or fusiform, and with typical paving stone-like growth characteristics. At the same time, the cells showed positive staining for factor Ⅷ-related antigen and CD31 and angiogenic ability. Conclusion Cardiac microvascular endothelial cells cultured by this method possess high purity. The method is simple and convenient, and it can be used for basic and clinical research of cardiovascular diseases.

Key words: cell culture, endothelial cells, adult rat, cardiac microvascular