兔骨髓基质干细胞向血管内皮样细胞的诱导分化

目的:研究血管内皮细胞生长因子(VEGF)联合碱性成纤维细胞生长因子(bFGF)促进兔骨髓基质干细胞向血管内皮样细胞的定向诱导分化,为血管化组织工程骨研究提供实验基础.方法:采集2周龄兔后肢长骨骨髓,用全骨骨髓贴壁法进行原代培养,将获得的第2代骨髓基质干细胞以1× 105/mL密度接种于内皮细胞条件培养基(含10 μg/L VEGF,10 μg/L bFGF,10％胎牛血清的DMEM/F12培养液)进行体外诱导培养,对诱导2周的细胞进行细胞形态观察和表型、功能鉴定.结果:经血管内皮细胞条件培养基诱导2周后的细胞呈扁平形,多边形,表达血管内皮细胞特异性标志CD31、VWF因子,细胞具有吞噬DiI-Ac-LDL和摄取FITC-UEA-1的功能,诱导的细胞可在BD基质胶内形成管腔样结构.结论:血管内皮细胞生长因子联合碱性成纤维细胞生长因子可以成功诱导兔骨髓基质干细胞为血管内皮样细胞,有希望作为组织工程骨的血管化的种子细胞.     

大鼠骨髓基质细胞向Schwann细胞分化后蛋白表达变化的研究

近年来很多研究报道大鼠骨髓基质细胞（bone marrow stromal cells,MSCs）可以向神经细胞或神经胶质细胞分化,其中多数研究观察了细胞形态以及几种神经相关蛋白的免疫反应,也有报道用基因组学方法分析MSCs诱导过程中基因谱的表达变化.尚未见报道用蛋白质组学方法分析MSCs在诱导过程中蛋白谱的表达变化.本研究利用蛋白质组学技术分析MSCs向Schwann细胞样细胞诱导分化过程中蛋白谱的表达变化.从成年SD大鼠的股骨和胫骨中分离培养MSCs,应用复合诱导因子体外连续诱导MSCs向Schwann细胞样细胞分化.采用2-DE技术分离未诱导和诱导分化后MSCs总蛋白,应用基质辅助激光解吸电离飞行时间质谱得到相应的肽质量指纹图谱,搜索数据库分析差异蛋白质点.所得到的MSCs蛋白谱有792个蛋白点,通过PDQuest软件分析诱导前后MSCs的蛋白谱,初步分析发现有74个蛋白质的表达发生了明显的变化,其中43个蛋白表达上调,31个蛋白表达下调.本研究通过质谱分析并进行网上数据库搜索匹配,初步分析发现这些蛋白主要包括骨架和结构蛋白、生长因子类的蛋白、代谢相关蛋白及酶类、伴侣蛋白、受体类蛋白、细胞周期蛋白、钙结合蛋白以及其他蛋白等.研究表明,MSCs体外条件诱导分化过程中有较多蛋白表达发生变化;其中与神经细胞和神经胶质细胞相关蛋白：BDNF,CNTF,GFAP等在MSCs体外条件诱导分化后中表达明显上调;本研究从蛋白质水平为MSCs体外向Schwann细胞样细胞条件诱导提供了新的研究资料。     

ES细胞分化为血管样结构的机理探讨—TGF-β1在血管形成中的作用

本文利用小鼠ES细胞的拟胚体培养和三维胶原蛋白培养系统研究了外源rhTGF-β1对ES细胞分化为血管样结构的影响。结果发现,无论是培液中添加外源rhTGF-β1或细胞经基因转染而有过度表达的TGF-β1都对ES细胞形成血管样结构起着决定性的作用。培液中添加适量的TGF-β1抗体,则过度表达TGF-β1的ES-T6细胞分化为血管样结构的频率明显地受到抑制,相似于其亲本ES-5细胞的分化水平。在Ⅰ型胶原三维培养系统中的单层ES-5细胞培液中添加rhTGF-β1时,明显地促进ES-5细胞形成血管样结构。用层粘连蛋白和Ⅳ型胶原蛋白抗体分别作免疫荧光染色也观察到ES-T6细胞分化产生的上皮样细胞和圆形细胞都显示较强的荧光反应,这些现象提示TGF-β1可能通过调节细胞外基质成份而行使其在血管形成中的作用。同时,我们在ES-5细胞和ES-T6细胞的分化衍生物中都检测到bFGF的mRNA。因此,TGF-β1在血管样结构形成中的作用,除了它对于细胞外基质成份有关基因的直接调控外,还可能通过调节细胞的bFGF等一类与血管内皮细胞生长和分化相关的生长因子而间接地行使其生物学功能。在本实验系统中,ES-T6细胞分化为内皮细胞及血管样结构必需有低剂量RA的诱导,其作用机理有待研究。     

骨髓基质细胞移植促进心肌梗塞后血管新生机制的研究

目的:通过研究不同时期心肌梗塞区血管生长因子的表达,探讨骨髓基质细胞移植促进心肌梗塞后血管新生的机制.方法:将急性心肌梗塞大鼠随机分为2组.实验组在梗塞后28 d,将同种异体骨髓基质细胞注射到心肌梗塞区.对照组仅注射无血清的培养液.在梗塞后的不同时期取标本动态观察梗塞区VEGF、bFGF的表达和血管新生状况.结果:骨髓基质细胞移植入梗塞区后主要分化为成纤维细胞和血管内皮细胞.实验组心肌梗塞区新生毛细血管数目较对照组明显增加(14±4.7/HPF vs 6±2.4/HPF P＜0.05).对照组梗塞区VEGF和bFGF的表达在梗塞后7 d达高峰,28 d开始下降,第42 d和56 d时表达明显下降.而实验组二者的表达在心肌梗塞后第42 d和56 d明显高于对照组.结论:骨髓基质细胞通过分化为内皮细胞以及促进梗塞区VEGF和bFGF的持续高表达,对血管新生起积极作用.     

慢病毒介导的稳定表达bFGF的胎儿肝脏基质细胞株的建立

通过重组慢病毒系统感染人胎儿肝脏基质细胞(fetalliverstromalcell,FLSC),建立了能够稳定、高效表达碱性成纤维细胞生长因子(basicfibroblastgrowthfactor,bFGF)的细胞株bFGF/FLSC.从流产胎儿肝脏组织分离富集基质细胞,对其进行了生长特性和表面标志的鉴定,其在体外维持传代35代,依然保持正常的染色体核型.从胎儿骨髓间充质干细胞中克隆得到bFGF基因,构建重组慢病毒载体,感染FLSC,根据荧光表达强弱进行流式分选,获得能够继续稳定传代的低表达和高表达bFGF的两株细胞,RT-PCR和蛋白质印迹证实,细胞株中bFGF基因的稳定表达.RT-PCR结果显示,弱荧光和强荧光表达细胞的bFGF,在mRNA水平的表达分别是转染空载体细胞的2.33倍和6.19倍;蛋白质印迹结果显示,在蛋白质水平表达分别是1.76倍和5.05倍.用建立的bFGF/FLSC作饲养层细胞体外培养人胚胎干细胞(humanembryonicstemcells,hES),结果证明,其能在无或少量添加外源bFGF的条件下,维持人ES细胞增殖及其干性达20代.bFGF/FLSC细胞株的建立,将为构建低成本、安全高效的人胚胎干细胞的培养体系及研究造血细胞的发育分化提供适宜的微环境.     

腺苷对人脐静脉内皮细胞三维管状结构形成的影响

目的:探讨腺苷对脐静脉内皮细胞(human umbilical vein endothelial cells,HUVEC)三维管状结构形成的影响.方法:建立上、下两层内皮细胞,中间为胶原凝胶的三维培养方式.设对照和试验各3孔.对照孔不加腺苷,实验孔内加入10-4mol/L腺苷.观察并记录特定视野下芽生的管状结构数目.结果:HUVEC可以在Ⅰ型胶原凝胶中形成三维网状结构,腺苷实验组细胞生长快,出芽快,管状结构粗大,甚可形成贯穿胶原的三维网状结构.血管芽生数与对照组比较在24 h、48 h、72 h、96 h均有统计学差异(P＜0.05或P＜0.01).结论:腺苷对HUVEC三维网状结构的形成有促进作用.     

鼠源休眠蛋白具有抑制内皮细胞增殖和诱导细胞凋亡的活性

内皮抑素 (endostatin)是最近发现的一种具有抑制血管生长的蛋白质。休眠蛋白 (restin)是内皮抑素的同源蛋白质 ,最早由Ramchandran等人发现 ,它来源于胶原蛋白XV的羧端非胶原蛋白结构域 (NC1)。为了研究鼠源休眠蛋白对内皮细胞生长的影响 ,利用RT PCR从鼠肌肉中扩增出它的基因 ,克隆入原核表达载体pQE32。诱导后 ,重组蛋白质以包涵体形式高效表达 ,表达量约占菌体总蛋白质的 6 0 %～ 70 %。重组蛋白质经纯化复性后 ,可以特异地抑制bFGF刺激的牛主动脉内皮细胞的增殖 ,但是休眠蛋白的抑制活性比内皮抑素活性稍低。流式细胞仪检测发现 ,休眠蛋白可以引起内皮细胞的细胞周期的改变 ,并且引起细胞凋亡     

不溶性基质中天冬氨酸丰富的蛋白在珊瑚的钙质骨片形成中的重要作用

一般认为, 酸性蛋白在控制矿物的形成和发展中发挥重要作用。因此, 在不溶性有机基质中鉴定酸性蛋白对于理解珊瑚中个体蛋白的功能是非常重要的一步。在短指多型软珊瑚(Sinularia polydactyla)的可溶性和不溶性基质层中分析蛋白组分表明, 在不溶性基质和可溶性基质层中天冬氨酸的含量分别是61%和29%。利用体外分析法发现, 基质蛋白诱导碳酸钙形成非晶态析出相先于其形成钙质的结晶态。利用X-射线衍射来鉴定骨片上结晶态的碳酸钙, 结果表明钙质的多晶态呈现强反射。傅利叶变换红外光谱分析表明珊瑚基质中富含天冬氨酸的蛋白和多醣的结构。在不溶性基质组分中用钙离子结合分析显示一个分子量为109 kD的蛋白质可以与形成骨片的钙离子结合, 这一过程对骨片形成非常重要。在对生物钙化过程中起重要作用的碳酸酐酶的分析中显示了此酶的新颖的活性。以上结果显示珊瑚中不溶性基质内的富含天冬氨酸的蛋白在生物矿化调控过程中起重要作用。     

猪脂肪基质细胞成骨与成脂分化潜能的研究

目的:探索猪脂肪基质细胞体外培养和向成骨与脂肪细胞分化的条件。方法:常规方法培养猪脂肪基质细胞,分别向成骨细胞与脂肪细胞进行诱导,应用免疫组化(碱性磷酸酶法、茜素红)及油红O染色对诱导分化的细胞进行鉴定。结果:在体外培养条件下,猪的脂肪基质细胞呈成纤维样,生长旺盛,在一定的条件下,可分别被诱导分化为成骨细胞与脂肪细胞,向成骨分化的细胞表达碱性磷酸酶,在培养皿中可形成钙化斑。而在向脂肪细胞诱导分化过程中,细胞中可见有小脂滴生成,用油红O染色呈橘红色。结论:脂肪基质细胞是一种混合细胞,除了能向脂肪细胞分化外,在一定的诱导条件下,也能向成骨细胞分化。     

基质金属蛋白酶-2 C端片段PEX的原核表达及其对血管发生的抑制作用

为了克隆表达鸡的基质金属蛋白酶-2(MMP-2)的C端片段PEX,并探讨其对血管发生的抑制作用,利用RT-PCR从鸡胚成纤维细胞克隆MMP-2 C端片段PEX,构建原核表达载体pCal-n-PEX;转化大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)-pLys,异丙基β-D硫代半乳糖苷（IPTG）诱导产生PEX融合蛋白,包涵体蛋白用盐酸胍法变性、复性;生长曲线观察PEX融合蛋白对人脐静脉血管内皮细胞增殖的影响;鸡胚绒毛尿囊膜血管发生实验研究其对血管发生的抑制作用.结果表明融合蛋白CBP/PEX具有抑制人脐静脉血管内皮细胞的生长和鸡胚绒毛尿囊膜血管发生的作用.提示PEX是有待进一步开发的潜在抑制血管发生的药物.     

Mechanisms of cytoskeletal regulation: modulation of aortic endothelial cell protein band 4.1 by the extracellular matrix

The bovine aortic endothelial cell (BAEC) cytoskeleton is a complex structure modulated by many stimuli including release from contact inhibition and various components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Transduction of information from the ECM to the cell nucleus proceeds via several complex pathways including the cytoskeleton. We have demonstrated the presence of an immunoreactive isoform of the human erythrocyte cytoskeletal protein band 4.1 (4.1) in BAEC. BAEC 4.1 is similar in molecular weight to the erythroid protein by immunoblot analyses and produces a similar pattern of cysteine specific cleavage products consistent with a cluster of cysteine residues previously described in the erythroid molecule. We have also examined the effects of defined ECM proteins on the distributions of cultured BAEC 4.1 and actin filaments (AF) at confluency and following release from contact inhibition. The distribution of 4.1 in BAEC on a plasma fibronectin substrate is complex, having partial codistribution with cytoplasmic AF and a unique perinuclear staining. In contrast, on a collagen type I/III substrate, 4.1 is localized, in part, to peripheral areas of cell-cell contact distinct from the dense peripheral band staining of AF. During migration on this substrate, 4.1 had a filamentous distribution having partial codistribution with AF. Indirect immunofluorescence staining of cross-sections of bovine calf aortae revealed a cortical staining pattern in the aortic endothelial cells with staining noted on the luminal and basolateral aspects of the cells. These data suggest that, in endothelial cells, protein 4.1 is a cortical membrane protein which may function to link actin filaments to other skeletal proteins such as spectrin. These findings also suggest an active role for protein 4.1 in cytoskeletal reorganization events which can occur in response to external stimuli, such as the extracellular matrix or contact with other cells.     

Dehydroepiandrosterone stimulates nitric oxide release in vascular endothelial cells: evidence for a cell surface receptor

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) improves vascular function, but the mechanism of this effect is unclear. Since nitric oxide (NO) regulates vascular function, we hypothesized that DHEA affects the vasculature by increasing endothelial NO production. Physiological concentrations of DHEA stimulated NO release from intact bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) within 5min. This effect was mediated by activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in BAEC and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Dehydroepiandrosterone increased cyclic GMP (cGMP) levels in BAEC, consistent with its effect on NO production. Albumin-conjugated DHEA also stimulated NO release, suggesting that DHEA stimulates eNOS by a plasma membrane-initiated signal. Tamoxifen blocked estrogen-stimulated NO release from BAEC, but did not inhibit the DHEA effect. Pertussis toxin abolished the acute effect of DHEA on NO release. Dehydroepiandrosterone had no effect on intracellular calcium fluxes. However, inhibition of tyrosine kinases or the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase (MEK) blocked NO release and cGMP production in response to DHEA. These findings demonstrate that physiological concentrations of DHEA acutely increase NO release from intact vascular endothelial cells, by a plasma membrane-initiated mechanism. This action of DHEA is mediated by a steroid-specific, G-protein coupled receptor, which activates eNOS in both bovine and human cells. The release of NO is independent of intracellular calcium mobilization, but depends on tyrosine- and MAP kinases. This cellular mechanism may underlie some of the cardiovascular protective effects proposed for DHEA.     

VEGF189 stimulates endothelial cells proliferation and migration in vitro and up-regulates the expression of Flk-1/KDR mRNA

The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a critical factor for development of the vascular system in physiological and pathological angiogenesis. This growth factor exists under at least three isoforms, VEGF120/121, VEGF164/165 and VEGF188/189 which are generated by alternative splicing. VEGF isoforms have different affinities for heparan sulphate as well as for VEGF receptors, and may play distinct roles in vascular development. The role of VEGF189 as an endothelial mitogen, however, remains controversial. VEGF189 is almost entirely bound to the cell surface or extracellular matrix, and is considered active after its cleavage and release from its extracellular binding site. In the present study, we demonstrate that VEGF189 induces endothelial cell proliferation and migration in vitro. The 30-60% increase observed with VEGF189 (10 ng/ml) in HUVEC proliferation was similar to that observed with VEGF165. However, the proliferative effect observed with VEGF189 appeared dependent on the origin of the endothelial cell, since the proliferation was clearly observed with HUVEC but not with BAEC or capillary endothelial cells from dermis (HMEC). The effect of VEGF189 on endothelial cell migration was also analyzed using the wound healing and the Boyden chamber assays. The migration effect was observed with BAEC which do not proliferate with VEGF189, suggesting that different mechanisms are involved in proliferation and migration. In addition, VEGF189 as well as VEGF165 induced a 2-fold increase of Flk-1/KDR expression in HUVEC, the receptor involved in proliferation and migration of endothelial cells. In the Matrigel plug assay in vivo, both VEGF189 and 165 (100 ng/ml) increased the infiltration of endothelial cells. These data suggest that VEGF189 induced endothelial cell migration and proliferation under certain circumstances.     

Generation of monoclonal antibodies directed against organ-specific endothelial cell surface determinants.

Organ-specific determinants expressed on the luminal surface of vascular endothelia are often unstable when cells are removed from their normal tissue environment and grown in culture. Unspecific endothelial cells of large vessel origin [e.g., bovine aorta (BAEC)] can be modulated to express and preserve such determinants when they are grown on the extracellular matrix of the desired organ. Lung matrix-modulated BAEC were used here to generate MAb against lung-specific vascular endothelia. Immunization was accomplished with outside-out membrane vesicles obtained by incubating BAEC monolayers grown on lung matrix with a low-strength paraformaldehyde solution. In four of the six fusions performed, this active immunization was preceded by passive immunization with mouse antiserum directed against membrane vesicles from BAEC grown on plastic. Among the growing hybrids, 7.6% secreted MAb that bound efficiently to both BAEC grown on lung-derived matrix and BAEC grown on plastic, while 3.5% (50) secreted MAb that bound primarily to BAEC grown on lung matrix. The fusion data show that only a passive/active immunization protocol yielded MAb directed against lung-specific endothelia. For example, MAb 6D3 and 5F5 selectively recognized endothelia from small- and medium-sized venules of bovine lungs, but failed to react with endothelial cells in other organs and tissues.     

Distribution of a 69-kD laminin-binding protein in aortic and microvascular endothelial cells: modulation during cell attachment, spreading, and migration

Affinity chromatography and immunolocalization techniques were used to investigate the mechanism(s) by which endothelial cells interact with the basement membrane component laminin. Bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) membranes were solubilized and incubated with a laminin-Sepharose affinity column. SDS-PAGE analysis of the eluted proteins identified a 69-kD band as the major binding protein, along with minor components migrating at 125, 110, 92, 85, 75, 55, and 30 kD. Polyclonal antibodies directed against a peptide sequence of the 69-kD laminin-binding protein isolated from human tumor cells identified this protein in BAEC lysates. In frozen sections, these polyclonal antibodies and monoclonal antibodies raised against human tumor 69-kD stained the endothelium of bovine aorta and the medial smooth muscle cells, but not surrounding connective tissue or elastin fibers. When nonpermeabilized BAEC were stained in an in vitro migration assay, there appeared to be apical patches of 69 kD staining in stationary cells. However, when released from contact inhibition, 69 kD was localized to ruffling membranes on cells at the migrating front. Permeabilized BAEC stained for 69 kD diffusely, with a granular perinuclear distribution and in linear arrays throughout the cell. During migration a redistribution from diffuse to predominanately linear arrays that co-distributed with actin microfilaments was noted in double-label experiments. The 69-kD laminin-binding protein colocalized with actin filaments in permeabilized cultured microvascular endothelial cells in a continuous staining pattern at 6 h postplating which redistributed to punctate patches along the length of the filaments at confluence (96 h). In addition, 69 kD co-distribution with laminin could also be demonstrated in cultured subconfluent cells actively synthesizing matrix. Endothelial cells express a 69-kD laminin-binding protein that is membrane associated and appears to colocalize with actin microfilaments. The topological distribution of 69 kD and its cytoskeletal associations can be modulated by the cell during cell migration and growth suggesting that 69 kD may be a candidate for a membrane protein involved in signal transduction from extracellular matrix to cell via cytoskeletal connections.     

Human endothelial cells grow poorly on vitronectin: role of PAI-1

The cell adhesive protein vitronectin is a common component of interstitial extracellular matrix and circulates in plasma. It competes effectively with other plasma proteins to adsorb to certain biomaterial surfaces, and is likely to represent an important cell adhesion mediator on the luminal surface of vascular grafts. It is also found associated with certain vascular pathologies. We have shown previously that human endothelial cells grow poorly on a vitronectin surface compared with other extracellular matrix molecules. In this paper we show that endothelial cells seeded on vitronectin and fibronectin produced substantially different profiles of extracellular matrix molecules. The most outstanding difference was in the amount of matrix-localised plasminogen activator-inhibitor-1 which was high on vitronectin and negligible on fibronectin. This was correlated with a small but significant inhibition of cell adhesion to vitronectin compared with fibronectin, and very significant interference with dissociation of cell: extracellular matrix contacts, resulting either from direct inhibition of the proteolytic activity of urokinase, or from interference with urokinase-receptor signaling and consequent focal adhesion turnover. Such interference would inhibit cell proliferation by disabling the cells from loosening their matrix contacts in order to proceed through mitosis. This would seriously compromise endothelial recovery in cases of damage to the vascular wall and placement of stents or grafts, where the presence of surface-adsorbed vitronectin is likely to modulate the tissue response.     

Differential modulation of vascular cell integrin and extracellular matrix expression in vitro by TGF-beta 1 correlates with reciprocal effects on cell migration.

In vitro, BAEC and BASMC migratory phenotypes are known to be reciprocally modulated by both soluble factors and extracellular matrix proteins. In addition, integrin matrix receptors mediate endothelial and smooth muscle cell attachment and migration. To further elucidate these phenomena, we studied the effects of TGF-beta 1 on integrin expression by vascular BASMC and BAEC in tissue culture. TGF-beta 1 upregulated mRNA levels and surface pools of BASMC beta 3 integrin classes without modulating beta 1 integrin mRNA levels or expression of beta 1 integrin organization. In contrast to its effects on BASMC, TGF-beta 1 increased BAEC mRNA levels and surface expression of beta 1 and beta 3 integrins without altering their organization. Conversely, extracellular matrix components (fibronectin, laminin, and fibrinogen) organized cell surface integrins in both BASMC and BAEC without affecting the size of their cell surface pools. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that SMC and EC behavior in neointimal lesions may be modulated, in part, through a coordination of soluble factor and extracellular matrix protein regulation of integrin surface expression and organization.     

Stimulation of receptor-mediated low density lipoprotein endocytosis in neuraminidase-treated cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells

Sialic acids, occupying a terminal position in cell surface glycoconjugates, are major contributors to the net negative charge of the vascular endothelial cell surface. As integral membrane glycoproteins, LDL receptors also bear terminal sialic acid residues. Pretreatment of near-confluent, cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) with neuraminidase (50 mU/ml, 30 min, 37 degrees C) stimulated a significant increase in receptor-mediated 125I-LDL internalization and degradation relative to PBS-treated control cells. Binding studies at 4 degrees C revealed an increased affinity of LDL receptor sites on neuraminidase-treated cells compared to control BAEC (6.9 vs. 16.2 nM/10(6) BAEC) without a change in receptor site number. This enhanced LDL endocytosis in neuraminidase-treated cells was dependent upon the enzymatic activity of the neuraminidase and the removal of sialic acid from the cell surface. Furthermore, enhanced endocytosis due to enzymatic alteration of the 125I-LDL molecules was excluded. In contrast to BAEC, neuraminidase pretreatment of LDL receptor-upregulated cultured normal human fibroblasts resulted in an inhibition of 125I-LDL binding, internalization, and degradation. Specifically, a significant inhibition in 125I-LDL internalization was observed at 1 hr after neuraminidase treatment, which was associated with a decrease in the number of cell surface LDL receptor sites. Like BAEC, neuraminidase pretreatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells resulted in enhanced receptor-mediated 125I-LDL endocytosis. These results indicate that sialic acid associated with either adjacent endothelial cell surface molecules or the endothelial LDL receptor itself may modulate LDL receptor-mediated endocytosis and suggest that this regulatory mechanism may be of particular importance to endothelial cells.     

Flow-dependent concentration polarization of plasma proteins at the luminal surface of a cultured endothelial cell monolayer

Flow-dependent concentration or depletion of atherogenic low density lipoproteins which has been theoretically predicted to occur at a blood/endothelium boundary may play an important role in the genesis, progression, and regression of atherosclerosis in man and intimal hyperplasia in vascular grafts implanted in the arterial system in man and experimental animals. Hence to explore such a possibility, we have studied the effect of a steady shear flow on concentration polarization of plasma proteins and lipoproteins at the luminal surface of a cultured bovine aortic endothelial cell (BAEC) monolayer which served as a model of the vessel wall of an artery or an implanted vascular graft. The study was carried out by circulating a cell culture medium containing fetal calf serum or bovine plasma lipoproteins in steady flow through a parallel-plate flow cell in which a cultured BAEC monolayer was installed, over the physiologic ranges of wall shear rate and water filtration velocity at the BAEC monolayer. The water (cell culture medium) filtration velocity at the BAEC monolayer was determined to provide a measure of the change in concentration of plasma protein particles at the luminal surface of the BAEC monolayer. It was found that for perfusates containing plasma proteins and/or lipoproteins, water filtration velocity varied as a function of flow rate, being lowest in the absence of flow. Water filtration velocity increased or decreased as flow rate increased or decreased from an arbitrarily set non-zero value, indicating that surface concentration of protein particles varied as a direct function of flow rate, and the process was reversible. It was also found that at particle concentrations equivalent to those found in a culture medium containing serum at 20% by volume, plasma lipoproteins which were much smaller in number and lower in concentration but larger in size than albumin, showed almost the same effect as observed with serum which contained both lipoproteins and albumin, indicating that the substance responsible for this phenomenon is not albumin but lipoprotein whose diffusivity is much smaller than that of albumin. The results strongly support our hypothesis that flow-dependent concentration polarization of lipoproteins occurs at a blood endothelium boundary, and this in turn promote the localization of various vascular diseases which develop in our arterial system.     

Albumin-binding proteins of endothelial cells: immunocytochemical detection of the 18 kDa peptide.

Extracts of isolated microvascular endothelial cells (MEC) and cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) were subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), electrotransfer and incubation with albumin either radioiodinated or adsorbed to 5-nm gold particles. Both ligands reacted exclusively with two peptides of 18 and 31 kDa. To the 18 kDa peptide (excised from preparative SDS-PAGE), an antibody was raised in rabbits and purified by affinity on 18 kDa obtained from two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and immobilized on nitrocellulose paper. The specificity of the anti-18 kDa was assessed by immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation of endothelial cell extracts. To check whether the 18 kDa peptide is exposed on the endothelial cell surface and/or its components (uncoated pits, open plasmalemmal vesicles), the apical membrane of BAEC was radioiodinated, the solubilized proteins incubated with the anti-18 kDa, and the immune complexes formed were precipitated with protein A-Sepharose CL-4B. The ensuing SDS-PAGE and autoradiography revealed that from all radioiodinatable surface proteins, the 18 kDa was the only polypeptide immunoprecipitated by the anti-18 kDa antibody. To localize the 18 kDa peptide, we applied indirect immunofluorescence technique on cultured MEC and BAEC and immunoelectron microscopy (EM) on ultrathin cryosections of mouse heart. Nonpermeabilized whole MEC and BAEC incubated with anti-18 kDa followed by rhodamine-conjugated second antibody showed a relatively intense surface fluorescence often appearing as small dots. At the EM level, heart ultrathin cryosections exposed anti-18 kDa followed by gold-conjugated second antibody revealed that 18 kDa was primarily associated with the membrane of plasmalemmal vesicles of capillary endothelia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)