Effect of vasoactive peptides on prostacyclin formation in cerebromicrovascular cellular elements and glia: a comparative study

The aim of the present study was to determine basal and stimulated release of prostacyclin from the separately cultured endothelial and smooth muscle cells derived from rat brain microvessels and from glial cells.The basal release of PGI₂ (measured as a 6-keto-PGF_1α formation by radioimmunoassay method) was significantly greater in cultured endothelial cells than in cultured smooth muscle or glial cells (254 ± 32, 140.7 ± 17 and 76.8 ± 5.8 pg/mg protein, respectively). Prostacyclin formation stimulated by angiotensin I, angiotensin II and bradykinin was significantly increased in the smooth muscle cells. A significant enhancement of PGI₂ formation was also observed in the glial cells exposed to angiotensin II or bradykinin. Vasoactive peptides did not affect prostacyclin production in the endothelial cells.Presented results indicate that the smooth muscle cells represent the most sensitive site of prostacyclinpeptide interaction. These data also suggest that the endothelial and the glial cells may protect the cerebromicrovascular smooth muscle by inactivating vasoactive peptides derived from either the blood or the brain.     

Growth inhibitory effects of dimethyl sulfoxide and dimethyl sulfone on vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells in vitro

Summary The growth of bovine aortic smooth muscle and endothelial cells was studied after exposure to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or its major metabolite, dimethyl sulfone (DMSO₂). Both compounds caused a dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth as determined by [³H]thymidine incorporation and by counting the number of cells with time of exposure in culture. The IC₅₀ of DMSO (concentration which produces 50% inhibition of growth) was 1% for smooth muscle cells and 2.9% for endothelial cells. Similarly, the IC₅₀ of DMSO₂ was also 1% for smooth muscle cells, but was 1.8% for endothelial cells. After a 4-d exposure to either compound, the growth inhibition of smooth muscle cells was completely reversible at 1%, partially reversible at 2 to 3% and completely irreversible at 4%. By comparison, inhibition of endothelial cell growth was completely reversible up to 4% of either compound. It is concluded that the growth of smooth muscle cells was similarly inhibited by DMSO, and DMSO₂, but that smooth muscle cells were more susceptible than endothelial cells to the growth inhibitory effects of these compounds. In addition, DMSO₂ was a more potent inhibitor of cell growth than DMSO and its growth inhibition was less reversible than that produced by DMSO.     

Effects of the dual TP receptor antagonist and thromboxane synthase inhibitor EV-077 on human endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells

The prothrombotic mediator thromboxane A₂ is derived from arachidonic acid metabolism through the cyclooxygenase and thromboxane synthase pathways, and transduces its effect through the thromboxane prostanoid (TP) receptor. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the TP receptor antagonist and thromboxane synthase inhibitor EV-077 on inflammatory markers in human umbilical vein endothelial cells and on human coronary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation. To this end, mRNA levels of different proinflammatory mediators were studied by real time quantitative PCR, supernatants were analyzed by enzyme immune assay, and cell proliferation was assessed using WST-1. EV-077 significantly decreased mRNA levels of ICAM-1 and PTX3 after TNFα incubation, whereas concentrations of 6-keto PGF1α in supernatants of endothelial cells incubated with TNFα were significantly increased after EV-077 treatment. Although U46619 did not alter coronary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation, this thromboxane mimetic enhanced the proliferation induced by serum, insulin and growth factors, which was significantly inhibited by EV-077. In conclusion, EV-077 inhibited TNFα-induced endothelial inflammation and reduced the enhancement of smooth muscle cell proliferation induced by a thromboxane mimetic, supporting that the thromboxane pathway may be associated with early atherosclerosis in terms of endothelial dysfunction and vascular hypertrophy.     

Density-dependent endothelial cell production of an inhibitor of smooth muscle cell growth

Embryonic data and ultrastructural analyses suggest that the primitive endothelium signals undifferentiated mesenchymal cells to migrate to the forming blood vessel and subsequently regulates mural cell growth and behavior. Upon maturation of the blood vessel, chemotactic and mitogenic signals are apparently diminished and differentiated smooth muscle cells normally remain quiescent. This homeostasis is seemingly upset in conditions which lead to pathologies characterized by smooth muscle cell hyperplasia such as atherosclerosis. By culturing endothelial cells at different densities, we attempted to re-create the various stages of vascular development. Whereas media conditioned by sparse endothelial cells stimulate smooth muscle cells, media conditioned by dense endothelial cell cultures are inhibitory. Culture of sparse smooth muscle cells in media conditioned for 3 days by postconfluent endothelial cell cultures leads to dose-dependent and reversible smooth muscle cell inhibition. Furthermore, in the presence of the endothelial cell-derived inhibitor, smooth muscle cells are rendered refractory to mitogens such as fibroblast growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor. The inhibitory activity is not attributable to the well-characterized inhibitors of smooth muscle cell growth, transforming growth factor type-β, prostaglandin I₂, or heparan sulfate proteoglycan. Partial characterization of the inhibitory conditioned media suggests that the active molecule is smaller than 1,000 da, and stable to boiling as well as proteinase K and heparinase digestion. These findings support the concept that there is intercellular communication between endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells and provide evidence for a novel endothelial cell-derived smooth muscle cell growth inhibitor.     

Endothelin and endothelin antagonists: Potential role in cardiovascular and renal disease

Endothelin-1 is a recently discovered peptide mainly released from endothelial cells. Hypoxia and ischemia as well as numerous factors such as angiotensin 11, thrombin and transforming growth factor ₁ stimulate the fomation of the peptide. On the other hand the synthesis of endothelin is inhibited by nitric oxide and atrial natriuretic peptide via the formation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate. Released from endothelial cells endothelin-1 mediates transient vasodilation followed by a profound and longlasting vasoconstriction. Endothelin is also a mitogen for smooth muscle proliferation. Endothelins exert their biological effects via activation of specific receptors. Two different receptors have been cloned from mammalian tissues (ET_A and ET_B receptors). On vascular smooth muscle cells both receptors mediate contractions. Endothelial cells only express ET_B receptors linked to the formation of nitric oxide and/or prostacyclin formation. Increased plasma concentrations of endothelin-1 have been described in a variety of diseases such as pulmonary hypertension, arteriosclerosis, renal failure, acute coronary syndromes, heart failure, migraine and vascular diseases.Recently an increasing number of endothelin receptor antagonists have been synthetized, which have been shown to inhibit endothelin-mediated vasoconstriction. Clinical studies are now ongoing to elucidate the pathophysiologic role of endothelin and the potential benefit of the blockade of the system in different disease states.     

Characteristics of arachidonic acid metabolism of human endothelial cells in culture

Human umbilical endothelial cells in culture retain differentiated morphological and functional characterization in primary culture and even in the early subcultures, after which they begin to degenerate. We have studied the morphological and biochemical characterization (ability to produce prostacyclin, prostaglandin E₂ and thromboxane A₂ in culture) of endothelial cells in the first seven subcultures. In addition the influence of serum and endothelial cell growth factor added to the culture medium have been evaluated. With 20% normal human serum, cell proliferation is faster than with the same concentration of human fetal or bovine fetal serum.After the 3rd passage, morphological and growth alterations become observable in the endothelial cells. However, prostacyclin, prostaglandin E₂ and thromboxane A₂ production showed no variations during the study.     

Synthesis of prostaglandin 6-keto F1α by cultured aortic smooth muscle cells and stimulation of its formation in a coupled system with platelet lysates

Lysed aortic smooth muscle cells, when incubated with [¹⁴C] araachidonate, synthesized only one radioactive product, which was identified as 6-keto-PGF. Formation of this product from smooth muscle cell lysates was stimulated when human platelet extracts were added to the system, and further stimulation was observed when imidazole, as selective inhibitor of thromboxane synthesis, was added to this coupled system. These observations indicate that the cyclooxygenase of the smooth muscle cells was rate-limiting, that the prostacyclin synthetase of these cells can utilize endoperoxides produced by platelets, and that blocking of thromboxane synthesis might, under certain conditions, shunt arachionate metabolism toward prostacyclin formation.     

Gene expression changes of prostanoid synthases in endothelial cells and prostanoid receptors in vascular smooth muscle cells caused by aging and hypertension.

The present study was designed to assess whether or not changes in genomic expression of cyclooxygenases (COX-1, COX-2), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and prostanoid synthases in the endothelium and of prostanoid receptors in vascular smooth muscle contribute to the occurrence of endothelium-dependent contractions during aging and hypertension. Gene expression was quantified by real-time PCR using isolated endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells (SMC) from the aorta of Wistar-Kyoto and spontaneously hypertensive rats. Genes for all known prostanoid synthases and receptors were present in endothelial cells and SMC, respectively. Aging caused overexpression of eNOS, COX-1, COX-2, thromboxane synthase, hematopoietic-type prostaglandin D synthase, membrane prostaglandin E synthase-2, and prostaglandin F synthase in endothelial cells and COX-1 and prostaglandin E(2) (EP)(4) receptors in SMC. Hypertension augmented the expression of COX-1, prostacyclin synthase, thromboxane synthase, and hematopoietic-type prostaglandin D synthase in endothelial cells and prostaglandin D(2) (DP), EP(3), and EP(4) receptors in SMC. The increase in genomic expression of endothelial COX-1 explains why in aging and hypertension the endothelium has greater propensity to release cyclooxygenase-derived vasoconstrictive prostanoids. The expression of prostacyclin synthase was by far the most abundant, explaining why the majority of the COX-1-derived endoperoxides are transformed into prostacyclin, substantiating the role of prostacyclin as an endothelium-derived contracting factor. The expression of thromboxane synthase was increased in the cells of aging or hypertensive rats, explaining why the prostanoid can contribute to endothelium-dependent contractions. It is uncertain whether the gene modifications caused by aging and hypertension directly contribute to endothelium-dependent contractions or rather to vascular aging and the vascular complications of the hypertensive process.     

Effect of hypoxia on prostacyclin production in cultured pulmonary artery endothelium

Exposure of cultured bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells to varying levels of hypoxia (10% or 0% O₂) for 4 hours resulted in a significant dose-dependent inhibition in endothelial prostacyclin synthesis (51% and 98%, at the 10% and 0% O₂ levels respectively, p <0.05, compared to 21% O₂ exposure values). Release of ³H-arachidonic acid from cellular pools was not altered by hypoxia. Some of the cells were incubated with arachidonic acid (20 μM for 5 min) or PGH₂ (4 μM for 2 min) immediately after exposure. Endothelium exposed to 0% O₂, but not to 10% O₂, produced significantly less prostacyclin after addition of either arachidonic acid (25 ± 5% of 21% O₂ exposure values, n=6, p <0.01) or PGH₂ (31 ± 3% of 21% O₂ exposure values, n=6, p <0.05). These results suggest that hypoxia inhibits cyclooxygenase at the 10% O₂ level and both cyclooxygenase and prostacyclin synthetase enzymes at the 0% O₂ exposure levels. Exposure of aortic endothelial cells resulted in a 44% inhibition of prostacyclin at the 0% exposure level. No significant alteration in prostacyclin production was found in pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells exposed to hypoxia. These data suggest that the increased prostacyclin production reported in lungs exposed to hypoxia is not due to a direct effect of hypoxia on the main prostacyclin producing cells of the pulmonary circulation.     

Cyclic stretch induces cyclooxygenase-2 gene expression in vascular endothelial cells via activation of nuclear factor kappa-β

Vascular endothelial cells respond to biomechanical forces, such as cyclic stretch and shear stress, by altering gene expression. Since endothelial-derived prostanoids, such as prostacyclin and thromboxane A₂, are key mediators of endothelial function, we investigated the effects of cyclic stretch on the expression of genes in human umbilical vein endothelial cells controlling prostanoid synthesis: cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), prostacyclin synthase (PGIS) and thromboxane A₂ synthase (TXAS). COX-2 and TXAS mRNAs were upregulated by cyclic stretch for 24 h. In contrast, PGIS mRNA was decreased and stretch had no effect on COX-1 mRNA expression. We further show that stretch-induced upregulation of COX-2 is mediated by activation of the NF-κβ signaling pathway.     

Release of prostacyclin,endothelium-derived relaxing factor and endothelin by freshly harvested cells attached to microcarrier beads

Summary Cultured endothelial cells have been used in the past as a source of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) and of prostacyclin (PGI₂). Although cell cultures are essential for observation of prolonged exposure to media or when there is delayed response, they are time consuming and sterile conditions are essential. In the present study, we report that endothelial cells, freshly harvested from bovine aortas, readily attached themselves to cytodex-3 microcarrier beads and released an endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF), prostacyclin (PGI₂) and increased the amount of cyclic GMP in vascular smooth muscle. Attachment to microcarrier beads was essential since it increased the surface area and the number of attached cells and permited collection of cell free filtrates because of the formation of dense networks of cells and beads. As a result superfusion of cells and beads on the filter did not dislodge bound cells which remain on the filter. Conditioned filtrates from freshly harvested endothelial cells attached to microcarrier beads caused marked relaxation of endothelium-deprived bovine pulmonary artery strips. The degree of relaxation depended on the number of cells; maximal relaxation occurred with 50 million cells at ED₅₀ of 14 million. High values of cyclic GMP were found in vascular smooth muscle exposed to conditioned filtrate. The calcium ionophore A23187 further increased the amount of cyclic GMP. Large amounts of PGI₂ were released by freshly harvested endothelial cells particularly after stimulation with the calcium ionophore. In contrast, endothelin production by freshly harvested cells attached to microcarrier beads was barely detectable after 30 min incubation and was beyond the limit of detection by bioassay procedures. Freshly harvested endothelial cells attached to microcarrier beads appear to be a useful adjunct to tissue cultures under specific experimental conditions.Abbreviations EDRF Endothelium-Derived Relaxing Factor - PGI₂ Prostacyclin - K-H Krebs-Henseleit solution - cyclic GMP cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate - fmoles femtomoles - IB Ibuprofen     

A comparative study of thromboxane and prostacyclin release from ex vivo cultured bovine vascular endothelium

Thromboxane B₂, 6-keto-Prostaglandin F_1α, and Prostaglandin E₂ release have been quantitated from cultured adult by bovine endothelial cell monolayers and from $\text{ex Vivo}$ vascular segments employing specific radioimmunoassay and thin layer chromatography. Release of all three prostaglandins was demonstrable from both endothelial cell systems under basal conditions and following exposure to the ionophore A23187 and arachidonic acid. In culture, the quantity of 6-keto-PGF_1α released was diminished compared to amounts released from the vessel segments while thromboxane B₂ and prostaglandin E₂ release were similar in the two endothelial model systems. However, the amount of thromboxane B₂ assayed was small and the quantity of thromboxane A₂ it represents is probably of little $\text{in Vivo}$ significance to prostacyclin.     

Cultured endothelial cells produce heparinlike inhibitor of smooth muscle cell growth

Using cultured cells from bovine and rat aortas, we have examined the possibility that endothelial cells might regulate the growth of vascular smooth muscle cells. Conditioned medium from confluent bovine aortic endothelial cells inhibited the proliferation of growth-arrested smooth muscle cells. Conditioned medium from exponential endothelial cells, and from exponential or confluent smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts, did not inhibit smooth muscle cell growth. Conditioned medium from confluent endothelial cells did not inhibit the growth of endothelial cells or fibroblasts. In addition to the apparent specificity of both the producer and target cell, the inhibitory activity was heat stable and not affected by proteases. It was sensitive flavobacterium heparinase but not to hyaluronidase or chondroitin sulfate ABC lyase. It thus appears to be a heparinlike substance. Two other lines of evidence support this conclusion. First, a crude isolate of glycosaminoglycans (TCA-soluble, ethanol-precipitable material) from endothelial cell-conditioned medium reconstituted in 20 percent serum inhibited smooth muscle cell growth; glycosaminoglycans isolated from unconditioned medium (i.e., 0.4 percent serum) had no effect on smooth muscle cell growth. No inhibition was seen if the glycosaminoglycan preparation was treated with heparinase. Second, exogenous heparin, heparin sulfate, chondroitin sulfate B (dermatan sulfate), chondroitin sulfate ABC, and hyaluronic acid were added to 20 percent serum and tested for their ability to inhibit smooth muscle cell growth. Heparin inhibited growth at concentrations as low as 10 ng/ml. Other glycosaminoglycans had no effect at doses up to 10 μg/ml. Anticoagulant and non- anticoagulant heparin were equally effective at inhibiting smooth muscle cell growth, as they were in vivo following endothelial injury (Clowes and Karnovsk. Nature (Lond.). 265:625-626, 1977; Guyton et al. Circ. Res. 46:625-634, 1980), and in vitro following exposure of smooth muscle cells to platelet extract (Hoover et al. Circ. Res. 47:578-583, 1980). We suggest that vascular endothelial cells may secrete a heparinlike substance in vivo which may regulate the growth of underlying smooth muscle cells.     

Differential recovery of prostacyclin synthesis in cultured vascular endothelial vs. smooth muscle cells after inactivation of cyclooxygenase with aspirin

Conflicting findings from clinical trials on the use of aspirin in preventing myocardial infarction emphasize the importance of understanding the effects of aspirin on vascular cells. Cultured vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells of human, rat and bovine origin synthesized prostacyclin, a key component in vascular homeostasis, when superfused with 14C arachidonic acid. Prostacyclin synthesis was inactivated following brief treatment with aspirin, which irreversibly acetylates cyclooxygenase. Marked differences were observed between endothelial and smooth muscle cells in the recovery of cyclooxygenase after aspirin treatment. Smooth muscle cells recovered within 3 hours by a process that required serum factors replaceable by epidermal growth factor (EGF) and TGF-beta. Recovery in both smooth muscle and endothelial cells was blocked by cycloheximide but not by actinomycin-D. Endothelial cell recovery occurred much more slowly, requiring up to 24 hours and was not dependent on serum factors or EGF. Furthermore, it was suppressed by growth inducing agents such as endothelial cell growth factor (ECGF) and was enhanced by conditions favoring growth arrest and cellular differentiation. Regulation of expression and recovery of cyclooxygenase following inactivation by aspirin thus differs considerably in the endothelial and smooth muscle compartments of the vasculature.     

Endothelial thromboxane receptors: biochemical characterization and functional implications

We have identified thromboxane specific receptors in membrane preparations of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells using a potent thromboxane specific antagonist, [125I]-PTA-OH in a binding assay. The binding was specific and saturable. Neither thromboxane B2, prostaglandin D2 nor prostaglandin F2 alpha displaced the ligand (0.1 nM) at concentrations up to 10 microM. However, binding was displaced by IPTA-OH greater than SQ29548 greater than U46619. In addition, we observed that thromboxane mimetic U46619 significantly lowered the basal production of prostacyclin and also markedly suppressed bradykinin-stimulated prostacyclin released by endothelial cells. We propose that an important biological effect of thromboxane on vascular endothelial cells may be the suppression of prostacyclin production.     

Effect of elastase on prostacyclin synthesis in aortic smooth muscle cells

The effects of elastase on prostacyclin biosynthesis in cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells were investigated. Prostacyclin is the major product formed from arachidonic acid by aortic smooth muscle cells. When intact cells were incubated with elastase, a significant stimulatory effect on prostacyclin biosynthetic activity in cells was evident. However, the addition of elastase directly to the cell-free homogenates did not show any effects on prostacyclin biosynthesis. The maximal effect of elastase on the stimulation of prostacyclin biosynthesis without any cellular damage was observed at a concentration of 50 unit/ml elastase. Elastase also caused a marked release of arachidonic acid. At higher concentrations of elastase (75-100 units/ml), the release of arachidonic acid and prostacyclin synthesis was observed, but, at these concentrations of elastase, cells were slightly damaged. On the other hand, the releases of prostacyclin and arachidonic acid were markedly enhanced, when cells were preincubated with elastase (1 unit/ml) for 3 days. These results indicate that elastase, even at low concentrations, causes the releases of arachidonic acid and prostacyclin, especially when aortic smooth muscle cells are pre-treated with elastase.     

Role of protein kinase C in the control of vascular prostacyclin: Study of phorbol esters effect in bovine aortic endothelium and smooth muscle

In bovine aortic endothelial cells, phorbol 12-myristate, 13-acetate induced a smaller stimulation of prostacyclin release than ionophore A23187: the combination of both agents was highly synergistic. The responses of the bovine aortic smooth muscle were very different in the 2 preparations studied. In media explants cultured for short periods, neither phorbol 12-myristate, 13-acetate, nor A23187, alone or in combination, were able to increase prostacyclin release, whereas serotonin was an effective stimulus. In cultured smooth muscle cells, outgrown from the explants, phorbol 12-myristate, 13-acetate increased prostacyclin release to the same levels as A23187 or serotonin. It is concluded that increased cytosolic Ca⁺⁺ level and protein kinase C activity induce a synergistic stimulation of endothelial prostacyclin. On the other hand, the phenotypic modulation of the arterial smooth muscle, from a contractile to a synthetic state, seems to be associated with a profound change in the control of prostacyclin.     

Actin isoform and α1B-adrenoceptor gene expression in aortic and coronary smooth muscle is influenced by cyclical stretch

Summary The occurrence of vascular domains with specific biological and pharmacological characteristics suggests that smooth muscle cells in different arteries may respond differentially to a wide range of environmental stimuli. To determine if some of these vessel-specific differences may be attributable to mechano-sensitive gene regulation, the influence of cyclical stretch on the expression of actin isoform and α_1B-adrenoceptor genes was examined in aortic and coronary smooth muscle cells. Cells were seeded on an elastin substrate and subjected to maximal stretching (24% elongation) and relaxation cycles at a frequency of 120 cycles/min in a Flexercell strain unit for 72 h. Total RNA was extracted and hybridized to radiolabeled cDNA probes to assess gene expression. Stretch caused a greater reduction of actin isoform mRNA levels in aortic smooth muscle cells as compared to cells from the coronary artery. Steady-state mRNA levels of α_1B -adrenoceptor were also decreased by cyclical stretch in both cell types but the magnitude of the response was greater in coronary smooth muscle cells. No changes in α_1B-adrenoceptor or β/γ-actin steady-state mRNA levels were observed in H4IIE cells, a nonvascular, immortalized cell line. The relative gene expression of heat shock protein 70 was not influenced by the cyclic stretch regimen in any of these cell types. These results suggest that stretch may participate in the regulation of gene expression in vascular smooth muscle cells and that this response exhibits some degree of cell-specificity.     

Effects of estradiol on the metabolism of arachidonic acid by aortas and platelets in rats

We have previously reported that estradiol treatment stimulates prostacyclin production by cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells, through the stimulation of fatty acid cyclooxygenase and prostacyclin synthetase activities. In order to see whether estradiol stimulates the fatty acid cyclooxygenase activity in platelets, intact rats were treated with estradiol, and thromboxane biosynthesis in platelets and prostacyclin production by aortas were investigated. Estradiol significantly stimulates prostacyclin production by aortas. However, no significant effect on thromboxane biosynthesis in platelets is observed. Our present results support the idea that estradiol would be a protective hormone in atherosclerotic heart disease.     

Effects of isolation and culture on prostaglandin synthesis by porcine aortic endothelial and smooth muscle cells

Freshly isolated neonatal porcine aortic tissue (smooth muscle with or without endothelium present) produced approximately 30 ng/mg wet tissue of 6-oxo-prostaglandin F1 alpha (the stable hydrolysis product from prostacyclin) and approximately 15 ng/mg of prostaglandin E2, as measured by radioimmunoassay after 24 h incubation in culture medium. Primary cultures of porcine endothelial and smooth muscle cells (isolated by enzymic digestion of aortic tissue) exhibited the same pattern of prostaglandin production, but absolute values were greater than for fresh tissue, particularly in the case of endothelium. Subcultures of endothelium produced smaller amounts of prostaglandins, although the pattern remained similar. In contrast, subcultures of smooth muscle cells produced a greater total amount of prostaglandins than did primary cultures, and the main product was prostaglandin E2. Experiments with [14C] prostaglandin H2 or [14C]arachidonic acid confirmed that aortic tissue, cultured endothelium, and primary cultures or aortic smooth muscle cells synthesized prostacyclin, and demonstrated that subcultured smooth muscle cells enzymically isomerised prostaglandin H2 to prostaglandin E2. Kinetic studies showed that prostaglandin production by cultured vascular cells was transiently increased by subculture or changing the growth medium, and that production per cell declined with increasing cell density. The change in pattern of prostaglandin production during culture was shown to be due to a rapid decline in the rate of prostacyclin production (which apparently began immediately after tissue isolation), together with a more gradual rise in prostaglandin E2 production. These results indicate that the amounts and ratios of prostaglandins produced by vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells are greatly affected by the conditions used to isolate and culture the cells; vascular cells in vivo may similarly alter their pattern of prostaglandin production in response to local changes in their environment.