Since the beginning of endothelial cell culture in the 1970s, these cells have offered key insights into the working of blood vessels. The belief that a vessel is a static barrier was turned around to accept that vessels are dynamic in nature. Their list of functions has expanded to include coagulation, cell migration, inflammation, etc.
The role of blood vessels in atherosclerosis and thrombosis has been delineated by studying human primary endothelial cells. The understanding of the underlying mechanism has enabled the formulation of effective therapeutics.
