Cells of the Cardiovascular System

Vascular endothelial cells form a monolayer that lines blood and lymphatic vessels. They mediate the uptake of circulating nutrients and hormones and the attachment of leukocytes during inflammation. The vascular endothelium is heterogeneous between tissues which allows for functional specialization. During angiogenesis, endothelial cells proliferate and acquire the characteristics of tip and stalk cells along the vessel sprout. Endothelial damage leads to barrier dysfunction and inflammation in atherosclerosis, diabetes, and cancer.

• ICAM and VCAM Bioactive Proteins
• ICAM and VCAM Antibodies and Conjugates
• ICAM and VCAM ELISA Kits
• ICAM Inhibitors

• E-Selectin and P-Selectin Bioactive Proteins
• E-Selectin and P-Selectin Antibodies and Conjugates
• E-Selectin and P-Selectin ELISA Kits
• E-Selectin and P-Selectin Inhibitors

• Cadherin Bioactive Proteins
• Cadherin Antibodies and Conjugates
• Cadherin ELISAs

These assay platforms let you detect many proteins in one experiment. They cover secreted factors, shed soluble receptors, and intracellular molecules. These assays are optimized to detect analytes with high sensitivity, low background, and minimal cross-reactivity.

• Proteome Profiler^® Angiogenesis Array
• Luminex^® Assays
• Simple Plex^™ Assays
• Simple Western™ Assays

Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) of the tunica media form a contractile support enclosing the vascular endothelium. They provide mechanical strength and elasticity, regulate vascular tone and resistance, and anchor vessels to the extracellular matrix. Osteoblastic VSMC differentiation leads to vessel wall calcification and stiffness which contribute to disease progression in hypertension and atherosclerosis. Mural cells reside in the microvasculature where they provide endothelial support and contractile function. They are phenotypically heterogeneous, with characteristics of both VSMC and fibroblast-like pericytes.

• Osteopontin, FGF-23, and SOST Bioactive Proteins
• Osteopontin, FGF-23, and SOST Antibodies and Conjugates
• Osteopontin, FGF-23, and SOST ELISAs

Lymphatic endothelial cells are particularly dependent on VEGF-C, -D, and VEGFR3/Flt-4. The hyaluronan receptor LYVE-1 is selectively expressed on endothelial cells of lymphatic compared to blood vessels.

• VEGF-C and VEGF-D Bioactive Proteins
• VEGF-C and VEGF-D Antibodies and Conjugates
• VEGF-C and VEGF-D ELISA Kits

• VEGFR3/Flt-4 Bioactive Proteins
• VEGFR3/Flt-4 Antibodies and Conjugates
• VEGFR3/Flt-4 ELISA Kits
• VEGFR3/Flt-4 Inhibitors

• LYVE-1 Bioactive Proteins
• LYVE-1 Antibodies and Conjugates
• LYVE-1 ELISA Kits

Cardiomyocytes provide cardiac muscle with its contractile power, and loss of cardiomyocyte function is a life threatening consequence of heart failure and myocardial infarction. Overcoming this loss is a major focus of cell therapy involving in vitro generated cardiomyocytes. 

• Mesenchymal Stem Cells
• StemXVivo^® Cardiomyocyte Differentiation Kit
• Small Molecules for Cardiomyocyte Induction

Vascular cells and infiltrating immune cells contribute directly to the development of atherosclerosis. This interactive tool covers vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells, lymphoid and myeloid immune cells, and locally differentiated foam cells. It includes links for flow cytometry phenotyping markers as well as extended lists of secreted, cell surface, and intracellular markers.