ENDOTHELIUM IN VIVO AND IN VITRO. PART 2: FEATURES AND PERSPECTIVES OF LABORATORY WORK WITH ENDOTHELIAL CELLS

In 2019 the authors of this article published the first part of the manuscript dedicated to the key aspects of histogenesis, structure, cytophysiology, and immunoctyochemical markers of endothelial cells (doi:10.23888/ HMJ201973450-465). The second part of the article aims at delivering state-of-the art information of the basics of laboratory work with endothelial cells, including main endothelial cell culture lines for in vitro experiments, 2D and 3D cultivation of endothelial cells. The authors also discuss current issues and perspectives of laboratory research work involving endothelial cells, derived from embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. In vivo study of endothelial cells and assessment of their morphology and function are associated with substantial technical difficulties, which necessitates the use of in vitro techniques aimed at evaluating pathogenesis and potential treatment methods of a number of diseases associated with endothelial dysfunction. Laboratory work involving cell cultures allows studying both physiological and pathological conditions using miniature and often automated systems, which has several considerable benefits over clinical trials and experiments carried out on animals. In vitro techniques have certain limitations, among which are the difficulties in interpreting the results of a work performed on a cell line and comparing those to in vivo conditions. Constant improvement of laboratory methods involving different endothelial cell lines, co-cultures, 3D cultivation systems, and induced pluripotent stem cells, is crucial. Understanding the principles of in vitro work with endothelial cell cultures and optimization of the current techniques will lead to the development and implementation of the accurate laboratory methods, which will help translate research into practice.