Bovine Pulmonary Artery Endothelial Cells (BPAE Line)
The BPAE cell line was initiated in January 1979 from the main stem of a pulmonary artery belonging to a young cow (Bos taurus). The BPAE line of endothelial cells is positive for bovine diarrhea virus, one of the most important known bovine viral pathogens, which causes a broad array of clinical syndromes that result in significant losses in the beef industry each year. BPAE cells are also positive for angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), an enzyme that is intricately involved in the maintenance of blood pressure and volume. Due to this fact, BPAE cells are often utilized in hypertension research as well as studies of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.