The production of prostacyclin (PGI2) by vascular endothelial cells is thought to be of primary importance in maintaining normal hemostasis. We have investigated the production of prostacyclin in bovine arterial endothelial cells maintained in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium (DMEM) containing 30% fetal calf serum. Intact, confluent monolayers of endothelial cells (3x106 cells) in passages 2 through 6 were used. The growth medium was removed and the cells were washed in DMEM that did not contain serum. 3 mls of medium alone or containing normal plasma or serum was then added and incubated at 37°C for 15 min. Then, 1 mg of arachidonic acid was added and the cells incubated for an additional hour. The test medium was removed, centrifuged to remove any loose cells and stored at -70°C. To determine the production of PGI2 by the endothelial cells, the medium was assayed for 6-keto-PGF1α, the stable metabolite of PGI2, by radioimmunoassay. The synthesis of prostacyclin by bovine aortic endothelial cells was significantly increased in a concentration dependent manner by both normal platelet poor plasma and normal serum. This increase in prostacyclin production was inhibited by both aspirin and indomethacin, indicating an increase in synthesis rather than the release of PGI2. Furthermore, this increase could be demonstrated in the presence or absence of added arachidonic acid. The active component in plasma and serum was non-dialysable, eliminating the possibility of a small compound such as bradykinin or angiotensin II. This active factor was present after freezing and thawing the plasma and serum and was heat stable (60°C, 5 min). The presence of an endogenous prostacyclin stimulating factor may be significant in the in vivo regulation of prostacyclin production.
Prostacyclin production by perturbed bovine aortic endothelial cells in culture