Human Thyroid Microvascular Endothelial Cells

Description

Human Thyroid Microvascular Endothelial Cells (HTMVECs) are primary endothelial cells isolated from the microvasculature of normal human thyroid tissue. These cells exhibit typical cobblestone morphology with contact inhibition. They play an essential role in thyroid gland vascularization, regulating angiogenesis and maintaining microvascular homeostasis. These cells exhibit typical cobblestone morphology and express endothelial markers such as CD31, VE-cadherin, and von Willebrand factor (vWF). HTMECs also express key angiogenic receptors including FGFR1 and Tie-2. These cells exhibit a robust response to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) via VEGFR-2, promoting proliferation, migration, and capillary-like structure formation. Cryopreserved at early passages, they retain viability and native function. Thyroid microvascular endothelial cells are critical in thyroid physiology and pathology, including autoimmune thyroid diseases (e.g., Graves’ disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis) and thyroid cancer progression. They serve as a relevant in vitro model to study vascular inflammation, endothelial barrier function, and angiogenic processes specific to thyroid tissue.