Experimental work indicates that one of the mechanisms of tumor control by hyperthermia may be damage to blood vessels, resulting in decreased blood flow to the neoplasms. Among the various elements of the microvasculature, endothelial cells are the most important possible targets of thermal injury. Furthermore, neoplasms have a significantly higher proportion of proliferating endothelial cells than do normal tissues. Thus it is necessary to establish the thermal sensitivity of endothelial cells and to explore possible differences in response between resting and proliferating endothelium. We studied the in vitro thermal sensitivity of murine and human capillary endothelial cells compared to human fibroblasts by following cell survival and growth recovery. Nonstimulated endothelial cells are more sensitive than fibroblasts. Their sensitivity is dose dependent within the range of 42 to 45 degrees C/30 min. Stimulation to proliferate by endothelial cell growth factor (ECGF) renders these cells even more sensitive. Morphologic studies confirm these thermal effects in endothelial cells and fibroblasts. These findings support a direct effect of hyperthermia on endothelial cells, which appears to be more severe in proliferating cells. This may explain the reduced blood flow in heated tumors and may indicate a valuable therapeutic gain for hyperthermia.