The hCMEC/D3 cell line is derived from human temporal lobe microvessels, which were isolated from excised tissues during epilepsy control surgery. The primary isolate was enriched in cerebral endothelial cells (CECs). In the first passage, the cells were continuously immortalized by transduction with lentiviral vectors carrying the human telomerase catalytic subunit (hTERT) and SV40 large T antigen. Subsequently, CECs were selectively isolated through limiting dilution cloning, and the clones underwent extensive characterization for a brain endothelial phenotype. The hCMEC/D3 cell line represents a stable, easy-to-culture blood-brain barrier (BBB) model, making it an ideal choice for studies on drug uptake and active transport, as well as for understanding the responses of brain endothelial cells to various human pathogens and inflammatory stimuli.

Cell Name: Immortalized human brain endothelial cell line

Cell Synonyms: HCMEC/D3; HCMEC/D3; CMEC/D3; human Cortical Microvessels Endothelial Cells/D3
Catalogue No.: TCH-C576
Species: Human
Tissue Origin: Brain microvessels
Disease Characteristics: —
Morphology: Endothelial-like
Growth Properties: Adherent
Culture Medium: Immortalized Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cell Basal Medium + 5% FBS + 1% Endothelial Cell Growth Supplement