Aim: In order to establish a coculture system of ECs and SMCs and by which further study can be done.
Methods: ECs in primary culture were grown on a side of Transwell membrane, and SMCs were grown on an other side of it or the bottom of culture well, so that two kinds of coculture systems were established, and detail observation on the coculture systems was carried out by transmission and scanning electron microscope.
Results: ECs in primary culture were positive of VI factor by immunocytochemistry staining. ECs and SMCs were grown well on both sides of Transwell membrane, relative to ECs monolayer of "cobblestone appearance", SMCs were multilayer of "hills and valleys appearance". ECs and SMCs on both sides of Transwell membrane could form the gap junctions by micropores.
Conclusion: The coculture systems of ECs and SMCs were established successfully by modeling the structural relationship of vascular wall.