The human endothelial cell line (EA.Hy 926) was purchasedfrom the American Type Culture Collection (Rockville, MD,USA). EA.Hy 926 cells were cultured in complete DMEM(i.e., supplemented with 10% foetal bovine serum, 1 mMl-glutamine, and 1 mM penicillin–streptomycin). Cells weregrown in an incubator at 37◦C in a humidified atmosphere (95%air and 5% carbon dioxide).