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Biomedical subjects

L V McIntire

Publications and source records attributed to L V McIntire.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A novel flow cytometric analysis for platelet activation on immobilized von Willebrand factor or fibrillar collagen.

Under flow conditions, platelets adhere singly or in small aggregates on von Willebrand factor (VWF)-coated surfaces, but form large aggregates on immobilized fibrillar collagen. We developed a novel flow cytometric analysis to study the mechanisms underlying these distinct platelet deposition patterns. Flow cytometry was used to measure platelet activation after platelet adherence onto microspheres coated with either VWF or collagen fibrils. Two representative indices were calculated to quantify activated GpIIb-IIIa and P-selectin expression on adherent platelets. The signaling pathways responsible for platelet activation after interacting with fibrillar collagen were elucidated using various inhibitors. An in vitro endothelial cell wound model was also used to study the roles of VWF and fibrillar collagen in platelet deposition onto subendothelial matrixes. The adherent platelets on fibrillar collagen express more activated GpIIb-IIIa and P-selectin than those on VWF. Activation of GpIIb-IIIa and expression of P-selectin after platelet interaction with collagen occur via different intracellular signaling pathways; however, Ca2+ released from intracellular pools is common to both phenomena. Platelets were deposited singly or formed small aggregates on the endothelial cell wounded area, and this deposition pattern was dependent on VWF molecules secreted by endothelial cells and the absence of subendothelial collagen fibrils. As less activated GpIIb-IIIa and P-selectin are expressed after platelets interact with immobilized VWF alone, subsequent flowing platelet recruitment is minimal. Collagen fibrils, however, can activate adherent platelets sufficiently to promote the formation of large platelet aggregates.

Calcium Channel Blockers↗

Blockade of adenosine diphosphate receptors P2Y(12) and P2Y(1) is required to inhibit platelet aggregation in whole blood under flow.

Using heparinized whole blood and flow conditions, it was shown that adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) receptors P2Y(12) and P2Y(1) are both important in direct shear-induced platelet aggregation and platelet aggregation subsequent to initial adhesion onto von Willebrand factor (vWf)-collagen. In the viscometer, whole blood was subjected to shear rates of 750, 1500, and 3000 s(-1) for 30 seconds at room temperature. The extent of aggregation was determined by flow cytometry. The P2Y(12) antagonist AR-C69 931MX (ARMX) reduced shear-induced aggregation at these rates by 56%, 54%, and 16%, respectively, compared to control samples. Adenosine 3',5'-diphosphate (A3P5P; P2Y(1) antagonist) inhibited shear-induced aggregation by 40%, 30% and 29%, respectively, compared to control samples. Blockade of both ADP receptors at 3000 s(-1) with ARMX plus A3P5P further reduced the platelet aggregation by 41% compared to the addition of ARMX alone (57% compared to control samples). Using a parallel-plate flow chamber, whole blood was perfused over bovine collagen type 1 at a wall shear rate of 3000 s(-1) for 60 seconds. Platelet deposition was quantified with epifluorescence video microscopy and digital image processing. Blockade of P2Y(12) alone or blockade of P2Y(1) alone did not reduce thrombus formation on vWf-collagen. In contrast, blockade of both P2Y(12) and P2Y(1) reduced platelet deposition by 72%. These results indicate that combinations of antagonists of the ADP receptors P2Y(12) and P2Y(1) are effective inhibitors of direct shear-induced platelet aggregation and of platelet aggregation subsequent to initial adhesion under flow conditions. Inhibitors of these pathways are potentially useful as antiarterial thrombotic agents.

Adenosine Diphosphate↗

DNA microarray reveals changes in gene expression of shear stressed human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

Using DNA microarray screening (GeneFilter 211, Research Genetics, Huntsville, AL) of mRNA from primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), we identified 52 genes with significantly altered expression under shear stress [25 dynes/cm(2) for 6 or 24 h (1 dyne = 10 microN), compared with matched stationary controls]; including several genes not heretofore recognized to be shear stress responsive. We examined mRNA expression of nine genes by Northern blot analysis, which confirmed the results obtained on DNA microarrays. Thirty-two genes were up-regulated (by more than 2-fold), the most enhanced being cytochromes P450 1A1 and 1B1, zinc finger protein EZF/GKLF, glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper protein, argininosuccinate synthase, and human prostaglandin transporter. Most dramatically decreased (by more than 2-fold) were connective tissue growth factor, endothelin-1, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase. The changes observed suggest several potential mechanisms for increased NO production under shear stress in endothelial cells.

Blotting, Northern↗

Tyrosine sulfation of glycoprotein I(b)alpha. Role of electrostatic interactions in von Willebrand factor binding.

Glycoprotein I(b)alpha (GP I(b)alpha), the ligand binding subunit of the platelet glycoprotein Ib-IX-V complex, is sulfated on three tyrosine residues (Tyr-276, Tyr-278, and Tyr-279). This posttranslational modification is known to be critical for von Willebrand factor (vWF) binding; yet it remains unclear whether it provides a specific structure or merely contributes negative charges. To investigate this issue, we constructed cell lines expressing GP I(b)alpha polypeptides with the three tyrosine residues converted to either Glu or Phe and studied the ability of these mutants to bind vWF in the presence of modulators or shear stress. The mutants were expressed normally on the cell surface as GP Ib-IX complexes, with the conformation of the ligand-binding domain preserved, as judged by the binding of conformation-sensitive monoclonal antibodies. In contrast to their normal expression, both mutants were functionally abnormal. Cells expressing the Phe mutant failed to bind vWF in the presence of either ristocetin or botrocetin. These cells adhered to and rolled on immobilized vWF only when their surface receptor density was increased to twice the level that supported adhesion of cells expressing the wild-type receptor and even then only 20% as many rolled and rolled significantly faster than wild-type cells. Cells expressing the Glu mutant, on the other hand, were normal with respect to ristocetin-induced vWF binding and adhesion to immobilized vWF but were markedly defective in botrocetin-induced vWF binding. These results indicate that GP I(b)alpha tyrosine sulfation influences the interaction of this polypeptide with vWF primarily by contributing negative charges under physiological conditions and when the interaction is induced by ristocetin but contributes a specific structure to the botrocetin-induced interaction.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Ristocetin-dependent, but not botrocetin-dependent, binding of von Willebrand factor to the platelet glycoprotein Ib-IX-V complex correlates with shear-dependent interactions.

Under conditions of high shear stress, both hemostasis and thrombosis are initiated by the interaction of the platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) Ib-IX-V complex with its adhesive ligand, von Willebrand factor (vWF), in the subendothelial matrix or plasma. This interaction involves the A1 domain of vWF and the N-terminal extracellular region of GP Ibalpha (His-1-Glu-282), and it can also be induced under static conditions by the modulators ristocetin and botrocetin. In this study, a panel of anti-vWF and anti-GP Ibalpha antibodies-previously characterized for their effects on ristocetin- and botrocetin-dependent vWF-GP Ib-IX-V interactions-was analyzed for their capacity to inhibit either the adhesion of Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing recombinant GP Ibalpha to surface-associated vWF under hydrodynamic flow or shear-stress-induced platelet aggregation. The combined results suggest that the shear-dependent interactions between vWF and GP Ibalpha closely correlate with ristocetin- rather than botrocetin-dependent binding under static conditions and that certain anti-vWF monoclonal antibodies are able to selectively inhibit shear-dependent platelet aggregation.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Shear stress reduces protease activated receptor-1 expression in human endothelial cells.

Shear stress has been shown to regulate several genes involved in the thrombotic and proliferative functions of endothelial cells. Thrombin receptor (protease-activated receptor-1: PAR-1) increases at sites of vascular injury, which suggests an important role for PAR-1 in vascular diseases. However, the effect of shear stress on PAR-1 expression has not been previously studied. This work investigates effects of shear stress on PAR-1 gene expression in both human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs). Cells were exposed to different shear stresses using a parallel plate flow system. Northern blot and flow cytometry analysis showed that shear stress down-regulated PAR-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels in both HUVECs and HMECs but with different thresholds. Furthermore, shear-reduced PAR-1 mRNA was due to a decrease of transcription rate, not increased mRNA degradation. Postshear stress release of endothelin-1 in response to thrombin was reduced in HUVECs and HMECs. Moreover, inhibitors of potential signaling pathways applied during shear stress indicated mediation of the shear-decreased PAR-1 expression by protein kinases. In conclusion, shear stress exposure reduces PAR-1 gene expression in HMECs and HUVECs through a mechanism dependent in part on protein kinases, leading to altered endothelial cell functional responses to thrombin.

Biomedical Engineering↗

Effects of IL-8, Gro-alpha, and LTB(4) on the adhesive kinetics of LFA-1 and Mac-1 on human neutrophils.

Firm adhesion of rolling neutrophils on inflamed endothelium is dependent on beta(2) (CD18)-integrins and activating stimuli. LFA-1 (CD11a/CD18) appears to be more important than Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18) in neutrophil emigration at inflammatory sites, but little is known of the relative binding characteristics of these two integrins under conditions thought to regulate firm adhesion. The present study examined the effect of chemoattractants on the kinetics of LFA-1 and Mac-1 adhesion in human neutrophils. We found that subnanomolar concentrations of interleukin-8, Gro-alpha, and leukotriene B(4) (LTB(4)) induced rapid and optimal rates of LFA-1-dependent adhesion of neutrophils to intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1-coated beads. These optimal rates of LFA-1 adhesion were transient and decayed within 1 min after chemoattractant stimulation. Mac-1 adhesion was equally rapid initially but continued to rise for >/=6 min after stimulation. A fourfold higher density of ICAM-1 on beads markedly increased the rate of binding to LFA-1 but did not change the early and narrow time window for the optimal rate of adhesion. Using well-characterized monoclonal antibodies, we showed that activation of LFA-1 and Mac-1 by Gro-alpha was completely blocked by anti-CXC chemokine receptor R2, but activation of these integrins by interleukin-8 was most effectively blocked by anti-CXC chemokine receptor R1. The topographical distribution of beads also reflected significant differences between LFA-1 and Mac-1. Beads bound to Mac-1 translocated to the cell uropod within 4 min, but beads bound to LFA-1 remained bound to the lamellipodial regions at the same time. These kinetic and topographical differences may indicate distinct functional contributions of LFA-1 and Mac-1 on neutrophils.

Adult↗

Cyclic strain increases protease-activated receptor-1 expression in vascular smooth muscle cells.

Cyclic strain regulates many vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) functions through changing gene expression. This study investigated the effects of cyclic strain on protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) expression in VSMCs and the possible signaling pathways involved, on the basis of the hypothesis that cyclic strain would enhance PAR-1 expression, reflecting increased thrombin activity. Uniaxial cyclic strain (1 Hz, 20%) of cells cultured on elastic membranes induced a 2-fold increase in both PAR-1 mRNA and protein levels. Functional activity of PAR-1, as assessed by cell proliferation in response to thrombin, was also increased by cyclic strain. In addition, treatment of cells with antioxidants or an NADPH oxidase inhibitor blocked strain-induced PAR-1 expression. Preincubation of cells with protein kinase inhibitors (staurosporine or Ro 31-8220) enhanced strain-increased PAR-1 expression, whereas inhibitors of NO synthase, tyrosine kinase, and mitogen-activated protein kinases had no effect. Cyclic strain in the presence of basic fibroblast growth factor induced PAR-1 mRNA levels beyond the effect of cyclic strain alone, whereas no additive effect was observed between cyclic strain and platelet-derived growth factor-AB. Our findings that cyclic strain upregulates PAR-1 mRNA expression but that shear stress downregulates this gene in VSMCs provide an opportunity to elucidate signaling differences by which VSMCs respond to different mechanical forces.

Aorta↗

Novel gain-of-function mutations of platelet glycoprotein IBalpha by valine mutagenesis in the Cys209-Cys248 disulfide loop. Functional analysis under statis and dynamic conditions.

Platelet-type von Willebrand disease is a bleeding disorder resulting from gain-of-function mutations of glycoprotein (GP) Ibalpha that increase its affinity for von Willebrand factor (vWf). The two known naturally occurring mutations, G233V and M239V, both enrich the valine content of an already valine-rich region within the Cys(209)-Cys(248) disulfide loop. We tested the effect of converting other non-valine residues in this region to valine. Of 10 mutants expressed in CHO cells as components of GP Ib-IX complexes, four displayed a gain-of-function phenotype (G233V, D235V, K237V, and M239V) based on (125)I-vWf binding and adhesion to immobilized vWf. The remainder displayed loss-of-function phenotypes. The gain-of-function mutants bound vWf spontaneously and had a heightened response to low concentrations of ristocetin or botrocetin, whereas the loss-of-function mutants bound vWf more poorly than wild-type GP Ibalpha. No distinct gain- or loss-of-function conformations were identified with conformation-sensitive antibodies. Compared with cells expressing wild-type GP Ibalpha, cells expressing the gain-of-function mutants rolled significantly more slowly over immobilized vWf under flow than wild-type cells and were able to adhere to vWf coated at lower densities. In aggregate, these data indicate that the region of GP Ibalpha bounded by Asn(226) and Ala(244) regulates the affinity for vWf.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Platelet glycoprotein ibalpha is a counterreceptor for the leukocyte integrin Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18).

The firm adhesion and transplatelet migration of leukocytes on vascular thrombus are both dependent on the interaction of the leukocyte integrin, Mac-1, and a heretofore unknown platelet counterreceptor. Here, we identify the platelet counterreceptor as glycoprotein (GP) Ibalpha, a component of the GP Ib-IX-V complex, the platelet von Willebrand factor (vWf) receptor. THP-1 monocytic cells and transfected cells that express Mac-1 adhered to GP Ibalpha-coated wells. Inhibition studies with monoclonal antibodies or receptor ligands showed that the interaction involves the Mac-1 I domain (homologous to the vWf A1 domain), and the GP Ibalpha leucine-rich repeat and COOH-terminal flanking regions. The specificity of the interaction was confirmed by the finding that neutrophils from wild-type mice, but not from Mac-1-deficient mice, bound to purified GP Ibalpha and to adherent platelets, the latter adhesion being inhibited by pretreatment of the platelets with mocarhagin, a protease that specifically cleaves GP Ibalpha. Finally, immobilized GP Ibalpha supported the rolling and firm adhesion of THP-1 cells under conditions of flow. These observations provide a molecular target for disrupting leukocyte-platelet complexes that promote vascular inflammation in thrombosis, atherosclerosis, and angioplasty-related restenosis.

Animals↗

Perfusion with sickle erythrocytes up-regulates ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 gene expression in cultured human endothelial cells.

Sickle cell anemia is characterized by periodic vasoocclusive crises. Increased adhesion of sickle erythrocytes to vascular endothelium is a possible contributing factor to vasoocclusion. This study determined the effect of sickle erythrocyte perfusion at a venous shear stress level (1 dyne/cm(2)) on endothelial cell (EC) monolayers. Sickle erythrocytes up-regulated intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) gene expression in cultured human endothelial cells. This was accompanied by increased cell surface expression of ICAM-1 and also elevated release of soluble ICAM-1 molecules. Expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) messenger RNA (mRNA) was also strikingly elevated in cultured ECs after exposure to sickle cell perfusion, although increases in membrane-bound and soluble VCAM-1 levels were small. The presence of cytokine interleukin-1beta in the perfusion system enhanced the production of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 mRNA, cell surface expression, and the concentrations of circulating forms. This is the first demonstration that sickle erythrocytes have direct effects on gene regulation in cultured human ECs under well-defined flow environments. The results suggest that perfusion with sickle erythrocytes increases the expression of cell adhesion molecules on ECs and stimulates the release of soluble cell adhesion molecules, which may serve as indicators of injury and/or activation of endothelial cells. The interactions between sickle red blood flow, inflammatory cytokines, and vascular adhesion events may render sickle cell disease patients vulnerable to vasoocclusive crises.

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗

Necessity of conserved asparagine residues in the leucine-rich repeats of platelet glycoprotein Ib alpha for the proper conformation and function of the ligand-binding region.

The polypeptides of the platelet von Willebrand factor (vWf) receptor, the GP Ib-IX-V complex, each contain tandem repeats of a sequence that assigns them to the leucine-rich repeat protein family. Here, we studied the role of conserved Asn residues in the leucine-rich repeats of GP Ib alpha, the ligand-binding subunit of the complex. We replaced the Asn residue in the sixth position of the first or sixth leucine-rich repeat (of seven) either with a bulky, charged Lys residue or with a Ser residue (sometimes found in the same position of other leucine-rich repeats) and studied the effect of the mutations on complex expression, modulator-dependent vWf binding, and interactions with immobilized vWf under fluid shear stress. As predicted, the Lys substitutions yielded more severe phenotypes, producing proteins that either were rapidly degraded within the cell (mutant N158K) or failed to bind vWf in the presence of ristocetin or roll on immobilized vWf under fluid shear stress (mutant N41K). The binding of function-blocking GP Ib alpha antibodies to the N41K mutant was either significantly reduced (AK2 and SZ2) or abolished (AN51 and CLB-MB45). Ser mutations were tolerated much better, although both mutants demonstrated subtle defects in vWf binding. These results suggest a vital role for the conserved asparagine residues in the leucine-rich repeats of GP Ib alpha for the structure and functions of this polypeptide. The finding that mutations in the first leucine-rich repeat had a much more profound effect on vWf binding indicates that the more N-terminal repeats may be directly involved in this interaction.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effects of abciximab, ticlopidine, and combined Abciximab/Ticlopidine therapy on platelet and leukocyte function in patients undergoing coronary angioplasty.

BACKGROUND: Abciximab and ticlopidine reduce adverse cardiovascular events after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). The goal of the current study was to determine if combined abciximab/ticlopidine therapy inhibits arterial thrombosis more effectively than either treatment alone. The effect of each therapy on platelet-leukocyte interactions was also investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Whole blood samples from 14 patients undergoing PTCA who received abciximab therapy, ticlopidine therapy, or both treatments were evaluated using dynamic experimental systems. Mural thrombus formation under arterial shear conditions (1500 s(-1)) was determined in a parallel plate flow chamber. Shear-induced platelet aggregation was evaluated using a cone-and-plate viscometer at a shear rate of 3000 s(-1). Of the 3 treatments, combined abciximab/ticlopidine therapy produced the most consistent reduction in shear-induced platelet aggregation and the most prolonged inhibition of mural thrombosis. Three days after PTCA, abciximab/ticlopidine treatment decreased mural thrombus formation to approximately 50% of baseline values. Abciximab treatment alone inhibited mural thrombosis for only 1 day after PTCA, whereas ticlopidine treatment alone had no significant effect. Two hours after PTCA, abciximab therapy significantly decreased the number of circulating platelet-neutrophil aggregates but significantly enhanced P-selectin-mediated leukocyte adhesion on the collagen/von Willebrand factor-platelet surface. CONCLUSIONS: Combined therapy with abciximab and ticlopidine has a prolonged inhibitory effect on mural thrombosis formation relative to either treatment alone. Further, we demonstrated an unexpected effect of abciximab in enhancing P-selectin-mediated leukocyte adhesion.

Abciximab↗

Requirement of leucine-rich repeats of glycoprotein (GP) Ibalpha for shear-dependent and static binding of von Willebrand factor to the platelet membrane GP Ib-IX-V complex.

The platelet glycoprotein (GP) Ib-IX-V complex mediates adhesion to von Willebrand factor (vWf) in (patho)physiologic thrombus formation. The vWf-binding site on GP Ib-IX-V is within the N-terminal 282 residues of GP Ibalpha, which consist of an N-terminal flanking sequence (His-1-Ile-35), 7 leucine-rich repeats (Leu-36-Ala-200), a C-terminal flank (Phe-201-Gly-268), and a sulfated tyrosine sequence (Asp-269-Glu-282). We have used mammalian cell expression of canine-human chimeras of GP Ibalpha, corresponding to precise structural boundaries, to demonstrate the first specific requirement for individual leucine-rich repeats for binding of vWf either induced by a modulator, ristocetin, or under hydrodynamic flow. Implicit in this approach was that the GP Ibalpha chimeras retained a functional conformation, a supposition confirmed by analyzing restoration of function to reversed human-canine chimeras and demonstrating that all chimeras bound vWf activated by botrocetin, a modulator that is indiscriminate between species. Leucine-rich repeats 2, 3, and 4 of GP Ibalpha were identified as being critical for vWf adhesion to GP Ib-IX-V.

Animals↗

Sequential binding of CD11a/CD18 and CD11b/CD18 defines neutrophil capture and stable adhesion to intercellular adhesion molecule-1.

The relative contributions of CD11a/CD18 and CD11b/CD18 to the dynamics and strength of neutrophil adhesion to intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1-transfected cells were examined over the time course of chemotactic stimulation. Suspensions of neutrophils and transfectants were sheared in a cone-plate viscometer, and formation of heterotypic aggregates was measured by 2-color flow cytometry. The 2-body collision theory was used to compute adhesion efficiency, defined as the proportion of collisions between neutrophils and target cells that resulted in capture. ICAM-1 surface density and shear rate both regulated adhesion efficiency. Target cells expressing approximately 1000 ICAM-1 sites/microm(2) (I(low)) were captured with an efficiency of 0.15 at 100 s(-1), which decreased to zero at 300 s(-1). At 8-fold higher ICAM-1 expression (I(high)) corresponding to levels measured on interleukin-1-stimulated endothelium, efficiency was 0.3 at 100 s(-1) and remained above background to 900 s(-1). Shear alone was sufficient for CD11a/CD18-mediated adhesion to ICAM-1, and stimulation with formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine boosted capture efficiency through CD11a/CD18 by 4-fold. In comparison, CD11b/CD18 supported one third of this efficiency, but was necessary for aggregate stability over several minutes of shear and at shear stresses exceeding 5 dyne/cm(2). Hydrodynamics influenced capture efficiency predominantly through the collisional contact duration, predicted to be approximately 9 milliseconds for successful capture of I(low) and 4 milliseconds for I(high). The implication is that an increase in ICAM-1 from resting levels to those on inflamed endothelium effectively increases the permissible shear in which capture through beta(2)-integrins may occur. Neutrophil adhesion to ICAM-1 appears to be a cooperative and sequential process of CD11a-dependent capture followed by CD11b-mediated stabilization.

Cell Adhesion↗

Endothelial cell migration on surfaces modified with immobilized adhesive peptides.

Endothelial cell (EC) migration has been studied on aminophase surfaces with covalently bound RGDS and YIGSRG cell adhesion peptides. The fluorescent marker dansyl chloride was used to quantify the spatial distribution of the peptides on the modified surfaces. Peptides appeared to be distributed in uniformly dispersed large clusters separated by areas of lower peptide concentrations. We employed digital time-lapse video microscopy and image analysis to monitor EC migration on the modified surfaces and to reconstruct the cell trajectories. The persistent random walk model was then applied to analyze the cell displacement data and compute the mean root square speed, the persistence time, and the random motility coefficient of EC. We also calculated the time-averaged speed of cell locomotion. No differences in the speed of cell locomotion on the various substrates were noted. Immobilization of the cell adhesion peptides (RGDS and YIGSRG), however, significantly increased the persistence of cell movement and, thus, the random motility coefficient. These results suggest that immobilization of cell adhesion peptides on the surface of implantable biomaterials may lead to enhanced endothelization rates.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Growth factor delivery for tissue engineering.

A tissue-engineered implant is a biologic-biomaterial combination in which some component of tissue has been combined with a biomaterial to create a device for the restoration or modification of tissue or organ function. Specific growth factors, released from a delivery device or from co-transplanted cells, would aid in the induction of host parenchymal cell infiltration and improve engraftment of co-delivered cells for more efficient tissue regeneration or ameliorate disease states. The characteristic properties of growth factors are described to provide a biological basis for their use in tissue engineered devices. The principles of polymeric device development for therapeutic growth factor delivery in the context of tissue engineering are outlined. A review of experimental evidence illustrates examples of growth factor delivery from devices such as microparticles, scaffolds, and encapsulated cells, for their use in the application areas of musculoskeletal tissue, neural tissue, and hepatic tissue.

Animals↗

Shear stress differentially regulates PGHS-1 and PGHS-2 protein levels in human endothelial cells.

The secretion of prostacyclin (PGI2) by endothelial cells is regulated by shear stress. Prostaglandin H synthase (PGHS) is considered to be a key limiting enzyme in the synthesis of PGI2 from arachidonic acid. Endothelial cells were cultured in the presence of 4, 15, or 25 dyn/cm2 shear stress using a parallel plate flow chamber to assess the effect of shear stress on both PGHS isoforms, PGHS-1 and PGHS-2. In cells exposed to 4, 15, or 25 dyn/cm2 shear stress PGHS-1 and PGHS-2 protein levels initially decreased. The decrease was followed by a sustained increase for PGHS-1 but only a transient increase for PGHS-2. The duration of the PGHS-2 increase depended on the magnitude of the shear stress. The effect of altering shear stress levels on PGHS protein levels in cells preconditioned to either 4, 15, or 25 dyn/cm2 shear stress for 48 h was also studied. Changing shear stress levels effected PGHS-2 but not PGHS-1. Increases in shear stress levels from 4 to 15 or 25 dyn/cm2 caused a decrease in PGHS-2. In contrast, decreases in shear stress levels from 15 or 25 to 4 dyn/cm2 caused PGHS-2 to increase. There was a continual decrease in PGHS-2 when the shear stress was changed from 15 to 25 or 25 to 15 dyn/cm2. In summary, the regulation of PGHS-2 by shear stress is dependent upon the magnitude of the shear stress, whereas the regulation of PGHS-1 protein levels seems to be independent of the shear stress magnitude. The regulation of PGHS-1 and PGHS-2 protein levels by shear stress indicates that these proteins play an important role in the maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis as regulators of PGI2 production.

Blotting, Western↗