Isolation and characterization of TECs and NECs.

a. Cultured TECs and NECs were positive for CD31, CD105, CD144, VEGFR1, and VEGFR2 as determined by RT-PCR. TECs and NECs were negative for the monocyte marker CD11b and hematopoietic marker CD45. Human HB-EGF expression was detected in human tumor cells but not in TECs or NECs. b. Cell proliferation was measured every day for 3 days by MTS assays (*p<0.05). c. Cell migration towards VEGF was analyzed using a Boyden chamber. Cells on the filter were fixed and stained with hematoxylin after 4 h of incubation. Cells that migrated to the underside of the filter were counted (*p<0.05). d. Relative expression of VEFG-A and VEGFR2 to GAPDH in TECs and NECs was measured using real-time RT-PCR (*p<0.01).