Shear stress inhibits adhesion molecule expression in vascular endothelial cells induced by coculture with smooth muscle cells

Blood ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 101 (7) ◽  
pp. 2667-2674 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeng-Jiann Chiu ◽  
Li-Jing Chen ◽  
Pei-Ling Lee ◽  
Chih-I Lee ◽  
Leu-Wei Lo ◽  
...  

Vascular endothelial cells (ECs), which exist in close proximity to vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), are constantly subjected to blood flow–induced shear stress. Although the effect of shear stress on endothelial biology has been extensively studied, the influence of SMCs on endothelial response to shear stress remains largely unexplored. We examined the potential role of SMCs in regulating the shear stress–induced gene expression in ECs, using a parallel-plate coculture flow system in which these 2 types of cells were separated by a porous membrane. In this coculture system, SMCs tended to orient perpendicularly to the flow direction, whereas the ECs were elongated and aligned with the flow direction. Under static conditions, coculture with SMCs induced EC gene expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin, while attenuating EC gene expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Shear stress significantly inhibited SMC-induced adhesion molecule gene expression. These EC responses under static and shear conditions were not observed in the absence of close communication between ECs and SMCs, and they were also not observed when ECs were cocultured with fibroblasts instead of SMCs. Our findings indicate that under static conditions, coculture with SMCs induces ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin gene expression in ECs. These coculture effects are inhibited by shear stress and require specific interaction between ECs and SMCs in close contact.

Oncotarget ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (44) ◽  
pp. 76165-76173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongping Xu ◽  
Liwei Zhang ◽  
Wei Chen ◽  
Jiazhou Xu ◽  
Ruting Zhang ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Joanna Rossi ◽  
Léonie Rouleau ◽  
Jean-Claude Tardif ◽  
Richard L. Leask

Although originally designed as inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, or statins, are now known to also have non-lipid lowering benefits [1]. Statins have been reported to modulate gene expression in endothelial cells, however, the effect of statins on adhesion molecule expression is contradictory. Some studies report a decrease in adhesion molecule mRNA and/or protein after statin treatment [2], while others have shown that statins potentiate the effect of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) [3]. To the best of our knowledge, the effects of statins on gene expression in cultured endothelial cells has been done in static conditions only and no study has examined the effect of blood flow. This is particularly important since fluid shear stress is a strong regulator of endothelial cell function and phenotype [4]. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of statins on vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression in endothelial cells by evaluating their biological response under fluid flow.


2011 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi Zhang ◽  
Guang Chu ◽  
Hong-Xian Wu ◽  
Ni Zou ◽  
Bao-Gui Sun ◽  
...  

Objective: The goal of this study was to investigate the crosstalk between vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) using a three-dimensional (3-D) co-culture model. In addition, the role of IL-8 in this crosstalk was investigated. Methods: A 3-D co-culture model was constructed using a Transwell chamber system and type I collagen gel. Human umbilical artery smooth muscle cells (HUASMCs) were suspended in the gel and added to the upper compartment of the Transwell. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were then grown on the surface of the gel. The growth of HUASMCs was tested with a CFDA SE cell proliferation kit. IL-8 and other bioactive substances were investigated by ELISA and real-time PCR. The alteration of p-ERK expression related to the change in IL-8 levels was also examined by Western blot analysis. Results: The proliferation rate of HUASMCs in the 3-D co-culture model was 0.679 ± 0.057. Secretion and transcription of VEGF, t-PA, NO and VCAM-1 in the 3-D co-culture model were different than in single (2-D) culture. When 3-D co-cultured, IL-8 released by HUVECs was significantly increased (2.35 ± 0.16 fold) (P﹤0.05) and the expression of VCAM-1 from HUASMCs was reduced accordingly (0.55±0.09 fold). In addition, increasing or decreasing the level of IL-8 changed the level of p-ERK and VCAM-1 expression. The reduction of VCAM-1, resulting from increased IL-8, could be blocked by the MEK inhibitor, PD98059. Conclusion: Crosstalk between HUVECs and HUASMCs occurred and was probably mediated by IL-8 in this 3-D co-culture model.


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