To improve the understanding on the biological properties of endothelial cells (ECs), a method for the isolation and identification in vitro culture of avian pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs) is described. The isolated and cultured cells from chick embryos were identified by cellular morphology and immunocytochemistry. The results showed that the cultured cells exhibited typical cobblestone morphology viewed under an inverted microscope; and were bound with Bandeiraea simplicifolia lectin and stained positive for CD31 and factor VIII-related antigen. In conclusion, the findings of present study for the isolation and cultivation of PMVECs may allow more detailed analysis of their biological properties, and provide a valuable model for studying pathological processes including pulmonary hypertension, ascites and pulmonary vascular remodeling in broiler chickens.

Key words: Chick embryos, Immunocytochemistry, PMVECs, Primary culture