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Elevated endothelial microparticle-monocyte complexes induced by multiple sclerosis plasma and the inhibitory effects of interferon-beta 1b on release of endothelial microparticles, formation and transendothelial migration of monocyte-endothelial microparticle complexes.

Monocyte migration through the disrupted cerebral endothelial cell (EC) junctions plays an essential role in formation of multiple sclerosis (MS) demyelinating lesions. During pathogenesis of MS, activated ECs release endothelial microparticles (EMP), which possibly facilitate transendothelial migration (TEMIG) of monocytes. To assess functional roles of EMP in MS, specifically, their (i) interaction with monocytes, (ii) effect on monocyte TEMIG in an in vitro model of the brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMVEC), (iii) phenotypic profiles of EMP elicited by MS plasma and (iv) the effects of IFN-beta 1b on release of EMP and on TEMIG of monocytes (mono) and monocytes:EMP complexes (mono:EMP) through the BMVEC. The effect of IFN-beta 1b on the release of EMP and the TEMIG of mono and mono:EMP was assessed by preincubating BMVEC cultures of IFN-beta 1b prior to addition of plasma. Three EMP phenotypes, CD54, CD62E and CD31 were assayed. Plasma specimens from 20 patients with relapsing remitting MS (11 in exacerbation, MS-E, and 9 in remission, ME-R) and 10 healthy controls were studied. Incubation of BMVEC with MS-E plasma yielded elevated levels of EMPCD54, EMP62E and EMPCD31 relative to MS-R and control plasmas. MS-E but not MS-R or control plasma also augmented TEMIG of monocytes, respectively. Mono:EMP complexes further augmented TEMIG relative to mono alone, but only in the presence of MS-E plasma; there was no significant effect with MS-R or control plasmas. The presence of IFN-beta 1b inhibited TEMIG of mono and mono:EMP by 20% and 30%, respectively. MS-E but not MS-R plasma elicited release of activation-derived EMP and enhanced TEMIG of mono and mono:EMP. IFN-beta 1b inhibited TEMIG and release of EMP, suggesting a role of EMP and a novel therapeutic mechanism for IFN-beta 1b in MS.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Role of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 in the vasodilator response to vascular endothelial growth factor in the neonatal piglet lung.

OBJECTIVE: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) regulates vascular proliferation and causes vasodilation. In the pulmonary circulation, the vasorelaxing effect of VEGF has been attributed to nitric oxide, whereas in other vascular beds, prostacyclin and other mechanisms are also involved. This vascular effect follows binding to two receptors, VEGF receptor 1 (VEGFR1) and VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2), the latter of which is thought to be the main receptor responsible for the vasorelaxing effect of VEGF. The role of VEGFR1 in the neonatal pulmonary vasculature remains to be determined. DESIGN: Prospective randomized laboratory investigation. SETTING: Animal laboratory. SUBJECTS: Newborn Yorkshire-Landrace piglets. INTERVENTIONS: To determine the mechanisms of action of VEGF in the neonatal pulmonary vasculature, the effect of VEGF (10-10 M) was tested in isolated perfused piglet lungs, alone and in the presence of a VEGFR2 kinase inhibitor, N-nitro-l-arginine (L-NNA), indomethacin (Indo), L-NNA + Indo, and GF109203X, a protein kinase C inhibitor. The effect of a VEGFR1 agonist, placenta growth factor (PlGF), was also studied with or without L-NNA. Perfusate was collected, and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), as well as 6-keto prostaglandin F1alpha and thromboxane B2, the stable metabolites of prostacyclin and thromboxane, respectively, was measured. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: VEGF caused vasorelaxation with a concomitant increase in cGMP. PlGF also decreased vascular tone and increased cGMP. VEGFR2 kinase inhibitor did not prevent the reduction in perfusion pressure seen with VEGF but blocked the increase in cGMP. Pretreatment with L-NNA completely inhibited VEGF and PlGF vasodilation and prevented the increase in cGMP seen with both agonists. Pretreatment with Indo or GF109203X did not reduce the dilator response to VEGF. CONCLUSIONS: VEGF vasodilation may follow nitric oxide release in the piglet pulmonary circulation. VEGF vasorelaxation may not only occur through binding to VEGFR2, since PlGF, the specific VEGFR1 agonist, also causes vasodilation. Therefore, vasodilator response to VEGF may involve both types of receptor in the neonatal piglet pulmonary vasculature.

Animals↗

Leucocyte endothelial cell adhesion: a study comparing human umbilical vein endothelial cells and the endothelial cell line EA-hy-926.

EA-hy-926 is a cell line produced by hybridizing human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and the epithelial cell line A549. To establish whether EA-hy-926 could be used as a model for endothelial cells (EC) in leucocyte-EC adhesion interactions, the effect of interleukin-4 (IL-4), tumour necrosis factor (TNF) or interferon-gamma (IFN) stimulation on their adhesiveness and expression of E-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) was compared with that of HUVEC and A549. Although HUVEC exhibited increased adhesiveness and adhesion molecule expression with IL-4, TNF or IFN, EA-hy-926 exhibited these responses only with TNF. CD11/CD18-dependent binding accounted for a significant component of basal binding to HUVEC and EA-hy-926, but did not account for the increased binding of T cells, JY, J6, ICH-BJ or ICH-KM cell lines to TNF-stimulated monolayers. At least part of the CD11/CD18-independent adhesion was attributable to VCAM-1 induction on HUVEC and EA-hy-926. TNF-stimulation also induced E-selectin expression on EA-hy-926 and HUVEC and an accompanying increase in neutrophil (PMN) binding. The EA-hy-926 cells used in this study, therefore, showed responses similar to HUVEC when stimulated with TNF but not when stimulated with IL-4 or IFN.

B-Lymphocytes↗

Mechanisms of lymphocyte adhesion to human vascular endothelial cells in culture. T lymphocyte adhesion to endothelial cells through endothelial HLA-DR antigens induced by gamma interferon.

The effects of interferons (IFNs) on lymphocyte adhesion to cultured human vascular endothelial cells (EC) were investigated using an in vitro assay. Endothelial cells obtained from umbilical vein were first cultured at a low density with a conditioned medium (CM) from 12-O-tetra decanoylphorbol 13-acetate-concanavalin A (TPA-Con A) stimulated human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), or with recombinant (r) gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) or r alpha interferon (IFN-alpha), and then were incubated with freshly isolated PBL. Natural IFN-gamma in the TPA-Con A CM and rIFN-gamma (12.5-500 U/ml) induced major histocompatibility complex-class II antigens (HLA-DR, HLA-DP, and HLA-DQ) and significant lymphocyte adhesion to the EC, whereas rIFN-alpha did not. The lymphocyte adhesion to the EC and the expression of DR antigens on the EC were well correlated in terms of both kinetics and the dose-response pattern of rIFN-gamma. When EC expressing I region associated (Ia) antigen were preincubated with monoclonal anti-DR antibody before the addition of lymphocytes, the lymphocyte adhesion was significantly inhibited in both allogeneic and syngeneic combinations, whereas anti-HLA-DP, anti-HLA-DQ, and anti-HLA-ABC antibodies did not inhibit the binding at all. Cell fractionation experiments indicated that the majority of lymphocytes adhering to Ia-expressed EC were Leu-3+ T cells, whose binding was again almost completely inhibited by anti-DR antibody. Moreover, anti-Leu-3a, but not anti-Leu-2a, antibody effectively inhibited the T cell adhesion to the EC. These results strongly suggest that the interaction of the Leu-3(T4) receptor of T cells with IFN-gamma-induced DR antigens on EC plays a central role in the selective adhesion of Leu-3+ T cell to EC.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Role of endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 and platelet-activating factor in neutrophil adherence to IL-1-prestimulated endothelial cells. Endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1-mediated CD18 activation.

Adherence of neutrophils to endothelium is a key event in the sequence of inflammatory leukocyte responses. Double-color FACS analysis was used to determine the extent and kinetics of neutrophil adherence to rIL-1 beta-pretreated endothelial cells (EC). Neutrophils bound very avidly when the EC were prestimulated for 4 to 6 h with rIL-1 beta. Anti-ELAM-1 F(ab)2 fragments inhibited this adherence for more than 80%. On the other hand, anti-CD18 F(ab)2 fragments also inhibited the neutrophil adherence (40 to 50%). Combined use of anti-ELAM-1 and anti-CD18 F(ab)2 fragments completely prevented adherence. Neutrophils became activated as soon as they made contact with the rIL-1 beta-pretreated EC. First, neutrophils depleted of intracellular ATP showed a clearly decreased adherence completely dependent on ELAM-1-mediated binding, i.e., without additional effects of CD18 adhesion proteins. Thus, CD18 is activated during neutrophil adherence and then participates in the binding process. Secondly, the neutrophils responded with a transient rise in [Ca2+]i upon binding to rIL-1 beta-pretreated EC, which was demonstrated to be caused by endothelial cell-associated platelet-activating factor (PAF). However, the extent of neutrophil adherence to rIL-1 beta-pretreated EC was not affected by the use of the PAF-receptor antagonist WEB 2086, or removal of the EC-bound PAF. The only effect was a complete dependency of the neutrophil adherence on ELAM-1-mediated binding, although anti-CD18 mAb still induced 40 to 50% inhibition under these conditions. We therefore conclude that ELAM-1-mediated binding is the major mechanism for CD18 activation during neutrophil adherence to rIL-1 beta-pretreated EC.

Antigens, CD↗

Endothelial junctional protein redistribution and increased monolayer permeability in human umbilical vein endothelial cells isolated during preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: To examine monolayer permeability and junctional protein distribution and expression in endothelial cells isolated from women with preeclampsia and from women with normal pregnancies. We hypothesized that increased endothelial monolayer permeability in preeclampsia reflects altered monolayer barrier properties produced by disorganization of endothelial cell junction proteins. STUDY DESIGN: Endothelial cells were isolated from umbilical veins from women with normal pregnancies (n = 9) and from women with preeclampsia (n = 9) immediately after delivery. In the first passage of endothelial cells, the permeability was determined by measurement of horseradish peroxidase passage through confluent cell monolayers grown on transwell filters, and the distribution and protein expression of vascular endothelial cadherin and occludin were evaluated by use of immunofluorescent staining of the proteins and Western blot analysis. The distribution of vascular endothelial cadherin was also evaluated in the second and third passage endothelial cells. Messenger ribonucleic acid expression of vascular endothelial cadherin and occludin were examined by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Data were expressed as mean values (+/- SE) and were analyzed by use of an unpaired t test. RESULTS: The relative monolayer permeability was significantly increased in the endothelial cells isolated from women with preeclampsia compared with those isolated from women with normal pregnancies (0.271 +/- 0.049 versus 0.086 +/- 0.031 for DeltaOD(470); P <.05). Vascular endothelial cadherin expression for normal endothelial cells showed a continuous staining of the junctional protein that surrounded cell borders. In comparison, vascular endothelial cadherin in endothelial cells from preeclamptic pregnancies exhibited disorganized staining and vascular endothelial cadherin fibrils were retracted, with gaps present at the cell borders. The expression of occludin showed a pattern similar to that of vascular endothelial cadherin in both normal and preeclamptic conditions. Western blot results for expression of vascular endothelial cadherin and occludin also showed decreased expression of junctional proteins. The altered endothelial cell junctional protein distribution and expression of vascular endothelial cadherin and occludin observed in the first passage of endothelial cells from preeclamptic pregnancies was restored to normal by the time cells reached the third passage in vitro. There was no statistical difference in mRNA expression for the vascular endothelial cadherin and occludin between normal endothelial cells and those from preeclamptic pregnancies. CONCLUSION: In preeclampsia, increased endothelial cell monolayer permeability appears to reflect disorganized and diminished expression of endothelial cell junctional proteins. The latter response is mediated at the posttranscriptional level. These findings provide new insights about the cellular and molecular basis for altered endothelial cell integrity and barrier dysfunction that are associated with preeclampsia.

Antigens, CD↗

Normalization of coronary microvascular reactivity and improvement in myocardial perfusion by surgical vascular endothelial growth factor therapy combined with oral supplementation of l-arginine in a porcine model of endothelial dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: Vascular endothelial growth factor acts in part through nitric oxide release, the availability of which is decreased in endothelial dysfunction associated with advanced coronary artery disease. This could explain the relatively disappointing results of vascular endothelial growth factor therapy in clinical studies compared with animal studies. We examined the influence of L-arginine supplementation to vascular endothelial growth factor therapy on myocardial microvascular reactivity and perfusion in a porcine model of endothelial dysfunction. METHODS: Twenty-four pigs were fed either a normal (NORM, n = 8) or high-cholesterol diet with (CHOL-ARG, n = 8) or without (CHOL, n = 8) L-arginine. All pigs underwent ameroid placement on the circumflex artery and then 3 weeks later received surgical vascular endothelial growth factor treatment. Four weeks after treatment, endothelial-dependent coronary microvascular responses and lateral myocardial perfusion were assessed. Endothelial cell density was determined by means of immunohistochemistry. Vascular endothelial growth factor, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, and Akt levels were determined by means of immunoblotting. RESULTS: Pigs from the CHOL group showed endothelial dysfunction in the circumflex territory, which was normalized by L-arginine supplementation. Vascular endothelial growth factor treatment was ineffective in the CHOL group (circumflex/left anterior descending coronary artery blood flow ratios: 0.95 [rest] and 0.74 [pace] before-after treatment; P < .05 compared with the NORM group). Addition of L-arginine restored the angiogenic effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (ratios: 1.13 [rest] and 1.20 [pace]; P < .05) and was associated with increased endothelial cell density, as well as vascular endothelial growth factor, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, and Akt protein levels in the ischemic territory. CONCLUSIONS: L-Arginine supplementation can restore normal endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation and angiogenic response to vascular endothelial growth factor in a swine model of chronic myocardial ischemia with hypercholesterolemia-induced endothelial dysfunction. These findings suggest a putative role for L-arginine in combination with vascular endothelial growth factor therapy for end-stage coronary artery disease.

Administration, Oral↗

An autocrine loop mediates expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells.

The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA and protein is regulated by a number of agents including growth factors, cytokines, and phorbol esters. Here we report that vascular endothelial growth factor is able to increase its own level in cultured human dermal microvascular endothelial cells. Accumulation of vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA and polypeptide can be detected as early as 4 h after addition of vascular endothelial growth factor to the cell culture medium. The autocrine action of vascular endothelial growth factor appears to be mediated by the KDR receptor. The increase of its own message by vascular endothelial growth factor is blocked by the transcription inhibitor actinomycin D. Transient transfection experiments performed with human dermal microvascular endothelial cells and using a 3.2 kb human vascular endothelial growth factor promoter fragment showed that vascular endothelial growth factor auto-induction can be mimicked at the promoter level. This indicates that the observed vascular endothelial growth factor mRNA increase after vascular endothelial growth factor treatment is occurring at the level of transcription. Furthermore, vascular endothelial growth factor auto-induction is inhibited by PD 098059, showing that phosphorylation events, catalyzed by mitogen activated protein kinases, are a prerequisite for the vascular endothelial growth factor effect. Examination of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase catalytic activities showed that both enzymes have to be activated to mediate the vascular endothelial growth factor signal. Our data demonstrate for the first time the existence of an autocrine loop for vascular endothelial growth factor in endothelial cells. Most probably this represents an amplification mechanism for the action of vascular endothelial growth factor in the microvascularization process.

Autocrine Communication↗

Vascular endothelial growth factor induced functional and morphologic signs of endothelial dysfunction in isolated arteries from normal pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor on basal tone, endothelium-dependent dilatation, permeability, and morphologic features of endothelium in isolated arteries from normal pregnant women. We hypothesized that vascular endothelial growth factor might induce signs of endothelial dysfunction. STUDY DESIGN: Arteries (approximately 200 microm) were dissected from subcutaneous fat biopsy specimens that were obtained at cesarean delivery and mounted on a pressure arteriograph. Changes in basal tone, dilatation to bradykinin (1 nmol/L to 3 micromol/L) before, during, and after 3 hours of incubation with vascular endothelial growth factor (0.5 or 1 nmol/L), vascular endothelial growth factor (0.5 nmol/L) plus bosentan (a nonselective endothelin receptor A and B antagonist, 1 micromol/L), or vehicle were compared. Scanning electron microscopy was applied for endothelial morphologic features. Permeability to Evans blue dye was evaluated in arteries after incubation with vascular endothelial growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor plus angiopoietin-1, or vehicle, and in arteries that were obtained from women with preeclampsia. RESULTS: Basal tone was higher after 60 minutes of incubation with vascular endothelial growth factor (0.5 nmol/L) compared with vehicle (29% +/- 5% [n = 10] vs 10% +/- 4% [n = 7], P =.006). Combination of vascular endothelial growth factor with bosentan failed to increase the tone (n = 4). Bradykinin-mediated dilatation was impaired in arteries that were incubated with vascular endothelial growth factor 0.5 nmol/L (max dilatation: 287% +/- 16% vs 160% +/- 23% [n = 10], P =.0001) or vascular endothelial growth factor 1 nmol/L (max dilatation: 207% +/- 21% vs 88% +/- 4% [n = 3], P =.003). Bradykinin-mediated dilatation was similar after incubation with vehicle (n = 7) or the combination of vascular endothelial growth factor plus bosentan (n = 4). Evans blue dye staining was higher after incubation with vascular endothelial growth factor but was reversed by the addition of angiopoietin-1. Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated the development of intercellular gaps. CONCLUSION: Vascular endothelial growth factor impaired bradykinin-mediated dilatation and enhanced basal tone and permeability. This might indicate a potential role for vascular endothelial growth factor in the development of endothelial dysfunction in pregnancy. Angiopoietin-1 inhibited the vascular endothelial growth factor-induced vascular leakage, which may have therapeutic implications in preeclampsia.

Adipose Tissue↗

Secretion of prostaglandins and endothelin-1 by decidual endothelial cells from normal and preeclamptic pregnancies: comparison with human umbilical vein endothelial cells.

OBJECTIVE: An increasing amount of circumstantial evidence points to the maternal endothelial cell as centrally involved in the syndrome of preeclampsia. The purposes of this study were (1) to compare the secretion of vasoactive substances by maternal decidual endothelial cells with that of umbilical vein endothelial cells, widely used as a surrogate for endothelial cells in general, and (2) to compare secretion of the same vasoactive substances by decidual endothelial cells from normal and preeclamptic pregnancies. STUDY DESIGN: Endothelial cells were isolated from umbilical veins and from decidual biopsy specimens collected at cesarean section delivery from both normal and preeclamptic women. Cells were maintained in culture until passage 2, when secretion by the three endothelial cell populations of the vasodilators prostaglandin E2 and prostacyclin and the vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 was examined. In addition to control incubations, their responses to stimulation and suppression of secretion were compared. RESULTS: In control incubations normal decidual endothelial cells secreted lower amounts of prostacyclin, prostaglandin E2, and endothelin than did human umbilical vein endothelial cells. All cell types had qualitatively similar responses to the stimuli used, but quantitatively different responses were noted between human umbilical vein endothelial cells and normal decidual endothelial cells for all metabolites examined. Preeclamptic decidual endothelial cells secreted significantly more prostaglandin E2 than did normal decidual endothelial cells in response to stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: We have delineated levels of secretion of vasoactive substances by human late pregnancy decidual endothelial cells and their responses to manipulation of secretory pathways. There are differences between this endothelial cell population and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (which are widely used as a surrogate for maternal endothelial cells). The differences between normal and preeclamptic decidual endothelial cells in prostaglandin E2 secretion may point to altered regulation of arachidonic acid metabolic pathways in preeclampsia.

Cells, Cultured↗

Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 and vascular endothelial cadherin cooperatively regulate fibroblast growth factor-induced modulations of adherens junction functions.

Cellular adherens junctions are formed by cadherins linked to proteins of the catenin family. In endothelial cells, not only vascular endothelial cadherin but also platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 localizes into junctions and associates with beta-catenin. To explore a putative cooperation of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 and vascular endothelial cadherin, we analyzed transfectants expressing either platelet endothelial cell adhesion (CD31 cells) or vascular endothelial cadherin (CD144 cells) or both molecules (CD31/CD144 cells), and, for comparison, human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Basic fibroblast growth factor completely dissociated vascular endothelial cadherin/beta-catenin complexes and robustly moved beta-catenin into the nucleus in CD144 cells, whereas in CD31/CD144 cells as well as in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, fibroblast growth factor only partially dissociated the junctional complex followed by a significantly reduced nuclear translocation of beta-catenin. In contrast, in CD31 cells, the subcellular distribution of beta-catenin remained unaffected by fibroblast growth factor. As a functional consequence, fibroblast growth factor induced a complete collapse of the F-actin network in CD144 cells, a limited rearrangement of F-actin fibers in CD31/CD144 cells and no F-actin rearrangement in CD31 cells. We also analyzed the effect of fibroblast growth factor-induced rearrangement of junctions on junction permeability for leukocytes: in line with our observation that vascular endothelial cadherin was required for cells to respond to fibroblast growth factor, only in CD31/CD144 cells, but not in CD31 cells, leukocyte transmigration was significantly enhanced by fibroblast growth factor. In conclusion platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 cooperates with vascular endothelial cadherin in a mutual fashion; platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 reduces and temporarily limits fibroblast growth factor-induced dissociation of vascular endothelial cadherin/beta-catenin complexes, but requires vascular endothelial cadherin to control leukocyte transmigration in dependence of fibroblast growth factor.

Adherens Junctions↗

In vitro studies on PMN-independent endothelial cell damage in trauma: decrease of PMN-endothelial cell adherence by fibrinogen degradation products and disturbance of endothelial cell membrane integrity by trauma serum.

Trauma favors the development of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Adherence of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) to endothelial cells (EC) with subsequent EC damage by the respiratory burst products and proteases of the PMN is thought to be one of the basic mechanisms in the pathogenesis of ARDS. Recent studies have shown that there might also be PMN-independent mechanisms of EC damage. It would speak for PMN-independent EC damage if in the state of risk for this damage factors were found which decrease PMN activity or if EC damage appeared without PMN. Because in trauma and sepsis pathologic coagulation with high levels of fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) is often diagnosed, we investigated whether FDP-D and FDP-E might influence PMN adherence to EC. We also investigated whether serum of traumatized patients might provoke EC damage in a PMN-independent system in vitro. To achieve this we evaluated the viability of EC using a fluorescence staining method. We found that both FDP-D and FDP-E decreased PMN adherence to human EC significantly (p < 0.01) at a concentration of 50 micrograms/ml. Furthermore we found that EC membrane integrity can be disturbed by serum of trauma patients. These results suggest that in trauma also PMN-independent mechanisms are important for EC damage.

Cell Adhesion↗

[Promoting effects of serum-free murine bone marrow endothelial cell conditioned medium on the growth of bone marrow endothelial cells].

To study the effects of serum-free murine bone marrow endothelial cell conditioned medium (mBMEC-CM) on the growth of bone marrow endothelial cells, mBMEC-CM was collected and ultrafiltrated by Centriprep-10. The retentate of mBMEC-CM [molecular weight (MW)>10 kDa] and the filtrate of mBMEC-CM (MW<10 kDa) were obtained. The effect of bone marrow conditioned media, their components and exogenous cytokines on the formation of endothelial cell colonies were observed. The effect of bone marrow conditioned media, their components and exogenous cytokines on the proliferation of murine bone marrow endothelial cells were determined by [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation. The method of hybridizing to the Atlas cDNA array was used to determine the expression of cytokine mRNAs in bone marrow endothelial cells. The results obtained are as follows: vWF was expressed in bone marrow endothelial cells. The original mBMEC-CM and MW>10 kDa component of mBMEC-CM promoted the proliferation of bone marrow endothelial cell colonies and increased [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation of bone marrow endothelial cells. The MW<10 kDa component did not affect the production of endothelial cell colonies and did not increase [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation of endothelial cells. Six cytokines (IL-6, IL-11, SCF, GM-CSF, VEGF, bFGF) promoted the proliferation of bone marrow endothelial cell colonies. VEGF, bFGF and SCF increased [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation of bone marrow endothelial cells. According to the results of the Atlas cDNA array, GM-CSF,TGF-beta,BMP-2, bFGF, SCF, endothelin-2, thymosin beta10, MSP-1, connective tissue GF, PDGF-A chain, MIP-2 alpha, PlGF, neutrophil activating protein ENA-78, INF-gamma, IL-1, IL-6, IL-13, IL-11, inhibin-alpha mRNAs were expressed in endothelial cells. These results suggest that murine bone marrow endothelial cell conditioned medium promotes the proliferation of bone marrow endothelial cells.

Animals↗

A dual role for endothelial cells in cytomegalovirus infection? A study of cytomegalovirus infection in a series of rat endothelial cell lines.

Several clinical findings point to the involvement of microvascular endothelial cells in cytomegalovirus-related pathology. In this study the interactions of cytomegalovirus (CMV) with microvascular endothelial cells was investigated in an in vitro rat model. A series of rat endothelial cell lines, considered representative for the heterogeneity of heart microvascular endothelium in vivo, were infected with rat CMV (RCMV). The course of infection and production of infectious virus were examined using immunofluorescence staining and plaque titration assays, and was compared with infection of fully permissive rat fibroblasts. These endothelial cell lines displayed differences in susceptibility to CMV infection. Two endothelial cell lines (RHEC 50 and 191) were practically non-permissive, while four endothelial cell lines (RHEC 3, 10, 11 and 116) were partly permissive for CMV infection. In contrast to CMV infection in fibroblasts, only limited infection of the permissive endothelial cell lines was observed without spreading of CMV infection through the monolayer, although infectious virus was produced. Detachment of infected endothelial cells and recovery of the monolayer with time was observed. The detached endothelial cells were able to transmit CMV infection to fibroblast monolayers, but not to endothelial monolayers. Our in vitro results demonstrate differences in permissiveness for RCMV between the series of rat endothelial cell lines, which is suggestive for endothelial heterogeneity to CMV infection in vivo. Our findings indicate that endothelial cells are relatively resistant to CMV infection and that, upon infection, the endothelial monolayer may dispose of the virus via detachment of the infected cells. This points to a dual role for the endothelium in CMV infection in vivo: a barrier for CMV infection (by the endothelial monolayer) on the one hand and spreading of CMV infection (by detached infected cells) on the other hand.

Animals↗

High flow drives vascular endothelial cell proliferation during flow-induced arterial remodeling associated with the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor.

Endothelial cell activation and proliferation are the essential steps in flow-induced arterial remodeling. We investigated endothelial cell turnover in the early stages of high-flow in the rabbit common carotid arteries using an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) model by kinetic investigation of cell proliferation and cell molecular analysis. BrdU was administrated to label endothelial cells (ECs) in DNA synthetic phase (S-phase) of the cell mitotic cycle. Pulse labeling revealed that ECs entered S-phase at 1.5 days of AVF (0.93 +/- 0.19%). Endothelial cell labeling index (EC-LI) peaked at 2 days of AVF (8.90 +/- 0.87%) with a high index of endothelial cell mitosis (EC-MI, 1.67 +/- 0.47%). Endothelial cell density increased remarkably at 3 days of AVF with a significant decrease in EC-LI (54%) and EC-MI (60%). Study of kinetics of EC proliferation revealed that endothelial cells took 16-24 h to finish one cycle of cell mitosis. Tracking investigation of pulse BrdU-labeled endothelial cells at 1.5 days showed that more than 66% of endothelial cells were BrdU-labeled 1.5 days after labeling. VEGF, integrin alphanubeta3, PECAM-1, and VE-cadherin were upregulated significantly preceding endothelial cell proliferation and kept at high levels during endothelial cell proliferation. These data suggest that endothelial cell proliferation is the initial step in flow-induced arterial remodeling. Hemodynamic forces may drive endothelial cell downstream migration. Expression of VEGF and cell junction molecules contribute to flow-induced arterial remodeling.

Animals↗

Endothelial dysfunction of peripheral arteries in patients with immunohistologically confirmed myocardial inflammation correlates with endothelial expression of human leukocyte antigens and adhesion molecules in myocardial biopsies.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate whether myocardial inflammation (MC) and endothelial activation are associated with clinically detectable endothelial dysfunction. BACKGROUND: In patients with MC, immunohistologic evaluation of myocardial biopsies demonstrates a cellular infiltrate of lymphocytes in the myocardium and endothelial activation, as indicated by enhanced expression of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-1, HLA-DR and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1. This chronic inflammatory process may be associated with endothelial dysfunction. METHODS: In 65 patients with suspected MC, endothelial function of the radial artery was noninvasively assessed. By means of high-resolution ultrasound, diameter changes in response to reactive hyperemia (endothelium-dependent), as compared with glyceroltrinitrate (endothelium-independent), were analyzed. In the myocardial biopsies, MC was confirmed by immunohistology in 53 patients; 12 patients with normal myocardial biopsies served as controls. Endothelial expression of HLA-1, HLA-DR and ICAM-1 was semiquantitatively evaluated by immunohistology. To minimize other factors influencing endothelial function, patients with coronary artery disease, diabetes, severely impaired left ventricular function or more than one arteriosclerotic risk factor were excluded from this study. RESULTS: Endothelial function, as determined by flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD), in patients with MC was impaired (FMD(MC) 4.28%), as compared with controls (FMD(Co) 10.10%). The severity of endothelial dysfunction in patients with MC correlated significantly with the extent of endothelial expression of HLA-1, HLA-DR and ICAM-1 in myocardial biopsies. Endothelium-independent vasodilation was not affected by MC or endothelial activation. CONCLUSIONS: Myocardial inflammation is associated with endothelial dysfunction of peripheral arteries. The severity of endothelial dysfunction correlates with the extent of endothelial activation.

Adult↗

Reciprocal functions of liver tumor cells and endothelial cells. Involvement of endothelial cell migration and tumor cell proliferation at a primary site in distant metastasis.

BACKGROUND: The mechanism by which tumor cells interact with endothelial cells at the primary site in metastasis remains obscure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To disclose the precise mechanisms and processes of metastasis and angiogenesis, we investigated the interactions of endothelial cells (CPAE; calf pulmonary arterial endothelial cells) with two mouse liver tumor cell lines, G-5, a highly metastatic clone, and G-1, a poorly metastatic clone, based on the difference in their angiogenic activities in vivo at a primary site. RESULTS: G-5 cell cultured conditioned medium (CM) promoted migration of endothelial cells more than did G-1 cell CM, in migration assay using modified Boyden chambers. Anti-basic FGF antibody inhibited G-5-induced endothelial cell migration. Furthermore, endothelial cells stimulated proliferation of G-5 cells more than that of G-1 cells in coculture assay using Transwell chambers (pore size; 0.4 microm). Pretreated endothelial cells with bFGF enhanced tumor cell proliferation, suggesting the ability of activated endothelial cells to support tumor growth. In addition, incubation with endothelial cell CM also improved the proliferative activity of G-5 cells more than that of G-1 cells in a concentration-dependent fashion, indicating production and secretion of liver tumor cell growth substance by endothelial cells. CONCLUSION: These results provide evidence that liver tumor cells stimulate endothelial cell migration and migrated endothelial cells facilitate liver tumor cell proliferation. Tumor growth at a primary site may initially be dependent on migrated endothelial cells rather than vascularization or blood nutrient supply. This bi-directional paracrine relationship between liver tumor cells and endothelial cells may influence their metastatic ability.

Animals↗

An SV40 large T-antigen immortalized human umbilical vein endothelial cell line for anti-endothelial cell antibody detection.

OBJECTIVE: Anti-endothelial cell antibodies in serum of patients with different inflammatory diseases can be detected by a whole cell enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay, using primary cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. To avoid repeated isolation, it would be of great value if an immortal endothelial cell line could be used to perform anti-endothelial cell antibody assays. METHODS: In this study endothelial cells from human umbilical and iliac veins and arteries were transfected with a plasmid containing the Simian Virus 40 large T-antigen. Endothelial cell line(s) derived from this procedure were compared with human umbilical vein endothelial cells in the anti-endothelial cell antibody assay. RESULTS: After transfection, clones of homologous cell populations showed an extended lifespan, before entering a period of crisis. In one human umbilical vein endothelial cell clone a subpopulation of cells escaped crisis and became immortal (EVLC2). Telomerase was activated in this endothelial cell line, resulting in maintenance of the telomere length. There was a significant correlation between anti-endothelial cell antibody testing on human umbilical vein endothelial cells and on the cell line EVLC2. CONCLUSION: The Simian Virus 40 large T-antigen immortalized human umbilical vein endothelial cell line EVLC2 may be useful for the detection of anti-endothelial cell antibodies.

Antigens, Polyomavirus Transforming↗