Characteristics of endothelial cells derived from human hepatic cavernous hemangioma in vitro

Objective To investigate the characteristics of endothelial cells derived from human cavernous hemangioma in morphology,phenotypes and functions.Methods Endothelial cells were isolated from human hepatic cavernous hemangioma.The morphological,and phenotypical and functional features of these cells were analyzed by transmission electron microscopy,fluorescence-activated cell sorter,RT-PCR, zymography,and confocal microscopy.Human liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC) were used as control.Results As compared with the LSEC,abnormally expanded endoplasmic reticulums and similarly arranged cytoplasmic vacuoles were found in the endothelial cells derived from hepatic cavernous hemangioma (HCHEC) by transmission electron microscopy.Flow cytometry showed that expression of ctv[33 was significantly increased in the HCHEC.The mRNA of vascular endothelial cell growth factor and angiopoietin 1 were more abundant in HCHEC than that in LSEC.Functional analysis indicated that the HCHEC exhibited strong activated angiogenesis capacity and formed abnormal capillary-like structures.HCHEC produced more pro-matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and the activated MMP-2 form as compared with the LSEC.Confocal microscopy revealed that MMP-2 was concentrated in those cytoplasmic granules of the HCHEC and was consistent with the distribution of the expanded endoplasmic reticulums.Conclusion The endothelial cells derived from human cavernous hemangioma differ from the normal endothelial cells in morphology,phenotypes and functions.