Isolation and characterization of CD133 + CD34 + VEGFR-2 + CD45 − fetal endothelial cells from human term placenta

► Phenotype and function of endothelial cells vary along the vascular tree. ► Efficient method for human placental endothelial cell propagation. ► Characterisation of placental microvascular endothelial cells and comparison with other endothelial cell lines. ► Blood but not lymphatic endothelial marker expression found in placental microvascular endothelial cells. ► Placental microvascular endothelial cells express progenitor cell markers, but not haematopoietic surface markers.