Pulmonary Artery Endothelial Cells (PAEC)

Endothelial cells function as a highly regulated barrier between blood and interstitium. They play a central role in the regulation of vascular permeability by controlling the passage of liquid and nutrients as well as the transit of white blood cells. The endothelium is involved in the inflammatory response by either secreting cytokines or responding to blood-derived mediators or signals from adjacent cells. 

The pulmonary artery carries deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs. Pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAEC) have been used to study endothelial permeability in vitro adhesion, and blood coagulation. Since the regulation of endothelial permeability is critical for pulmonary gas exchange, the close vicinity to airway epithelial cells has drawn attention to interactions between both cell types. PAEC further interact with mesenchymal cells and regulate inflammatory events. Pulmonary artery endothelial cells are closely related to acute lung injury, pulmonary hypertension, edema, embolism, pulmonary artery aneurysm and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.