Modulation of cultured pulmonary microvessel and arterial endothelial cell barrier structure and function by serotonin

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is defined as a chronic inflammation of the nose and paranasal sinus mucosa associated with relapsing infections—particularly with S. aureus. Long-term treatments with protein synthesis inhibitor antibiotics have been proposed to reduce inflammation in the context chronic severe inflammatory airway pathologies, including CRS. This study assessed the effect of subinhibitory clindamycin and azithromycin on S. aureus exoprotein induced inflammation, toxicity and invasiveness. Methods: S. aureus ATCC51650 and two clinical isolates grown in planktonic and biofilm form were treated with subinhibitory clindamycin and azithromycin. Exoproteins were collected and applied to primary human nasal epithelial cells (HNECs) in monolayers and at air-liquid interface. This was followed by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Transepithelial Electrical Resistance (TEER) and paracellular permeability assays to assess the effect on cell toxicity, inflammatory cytokine production and mucosal barrier structure and function, respectively. The effect of these treatments was tested as well on the S. aureus invasiveness of HNECs. Results: Subinhibitory clindamycin reduced S. aureus exoprotein production in planktonic and biofilm form, thereby blocking exoprotein-induced toxicity, reversing its detrimental effects on mucosal barrier structure and function and modulating its inflammatory properties. Sub-inhibitory azithromycin had similar effects—albeit to a lesser extent. Furthermore, clindamycin—but not azithromycin—treated S. aureus lost its invasive capacity of HNECs. Conclusion: Subinhibitory clindamycin and azithromycin reduce S. aureus exoprotein production, thereby modulating the inflammatory cascade by reducing exoprotein-induced toxicity, inflammation, mucosal barrier disruption and invasiveness.

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Hemodynamic Shear Stress And Endothelial Cell Function: In Vitro Studies

10.1055/s-0038-1652420 ◽

1981 ◽

Author(s):

M A Gimbrone ◽

C F Dewey ◽

P F Davies ◽

S R Bussolari

Keyword(s):

Shear Stress ◽

Endothelial Cell ◽

Fluid Shear Stress ◽

Cell Structure ◽

Structure And Function ◽

Cellular Migration ◽

Shear Stresses ◽

Endothelial Cell Function ◽

And Function

The vascular endothelial lining in vivo is constantly subjected to hemodynamic shear stresses resulting from normal and altered patterns of blood flow. To facilitate the study of effects of fluid shear stress on endothelial cell structure and function, we have developed an in vitro system, utilizing a cone-plate apparatus, to subject coverslip cultures of bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) to controlled levels of shear (up to 102 dynes/cm2) in either laminar or turbulent flow. The magnitude and direction of shear stress within the system are accurately known from both theory and experimental measurements. The data reported here are for laminar flow. Subconfluent BAEC cultures continuously exposed to 1-5 dynes/cm2 shear proliferated at a rate comparable to that of static cultures, and postconfluent monolayers appeared unaltered morphologically for up to 1 week. In contrast, BAEC cultures (both postconfluent and subconfluent) exposed to 8 dynes/cm2 developed dramatic, time-dependent morphological changes. By 48 hrs, cells uniformly assumed an ellipsoidal configuration, with their major axes aligned in the direction of flow. Exposure to >10 dynes/cm2 caused variable cell detachment from plain glass substrates. Cellular migration into linear “wounds”, created in confluent areas, was influenced by both the direction and amplitude of applied shear. Exposure to 8 dynes/ cm2 induced functional alterations, including increased fluid (bulk phase) endocytosis, prostaglandin production and platelet reactivity. These observations indicate that fluid mechanical forces can directly influence endothelial cell structure and function. Hemodynamic modulation of endothelial cell behavior may be relevant to normal vessel wall physiology, as well as the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and thrombosis.

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