Proproliferative phenotype of pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells

Endothelial cells perform a number of important functions including release of vasodilators, control of the coagulation cascade, and restriction of solutes and fluid from the extravascular space. Regulation of fluid balance is of particular importance in the microcirculation of the lung where the loss of endothelial barrier function can lead to alveolar flooding and life-threatening hypoxemia. Significant heterogeneity exists between endothelial cells lining the microcirculation and cells from larger pulmonary arteries, however, and these differences may be relevant in restoring barrier function following vascular injury. Using well-defined populations of rat endothelial cells harvested from the pulmonary microcirculation [pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVEC)] and from larger pulmonary arteries [pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAEC)], we compared their growth characteristics in low serum conditions. Withdrawal of serum inhibited proliferation and induced G0/G1 arrest in PAEC, whereas PMVEC failed to undergo G0/G1 arrest and continued to proliferate. Consistent with this observation, PMVEC had an increased cdk4 and cdk2 kinase activity with hyperphosphorylated (inactive) retinoblastoma (Rb) relative to PAEC as well as a threefold increase in cyclin D1 protein levels; overexpression of the cdk inhibitors p21Cip1/Waf1 and p27Kip1 induced G0/G1 arrest. While serum withdrawal failed to induce G0/G1 arrest in nonconfluent PMVEC, confluence was associated with hypophosphorylated Rb and growth arrest; loss of confluence led to resumption of growth. These data suggest that nonconfluent PMVEC continue to proliferate independently of growth factors. This proliferative characteristic may be important in restoring confluence (and barrier function) in the pulmonary microcirculation following endothelial injury.     

肺微血管内皮细胞的原代培养

目的:建立简单高效获取大鼠肺微血管内皮细胞(pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells,PMVECs)的培养方法.方法:(1)组织块贴壁法培养大鼠PMVECs;(2)光镜下观察细胞的形态;(3)扫描电镜和透射电镜分别观察细胞表面及内部的结构特征;(4)免疫荧光法鉴定PMVECs.结果:(1)获得的PMVECs长满后呈典型的铺路石或鹅卵石状;(2)扫描电镜下可见内皮细胞表面存在微绒毛等特殊结构;(3)透射电镜观察可见细胞浆内存在韦伯潘力氏小体(Webel Palade body,WPB);(4)免疫组化结果显示细胞浆中有Ⅷ因子相关抗原存在.结论:改良的组织块法培养肺微血管内皮细胞是一种简单、快捷,有效的方法.     

Primary culture of microvascular endothelial cells from bovine retina

Summary To provide an in vitro system for studying retinal capillary function we have developed methods for isolation and culture of microvascular endothelial cells from retina. Retinal microvessels were isolated by homogenization of the retina and collection of the microvessels onto nylon mesh. Treatment of the isolated microvessels with collagenase and dispase followed by Percoll gradient centrifugation yielded endothelial cells that were largely free of pericytes. A homogeneous population of endothelial cells that were capable of at least six population doublings was obtained by plating onto a fibronectin coated substrate in plasma derived serum. The endothelial origin of these cells was confirmed by the presence of Factor VIII antigen, angiotensin converting enzyme activity, numerous tight junctions, and a cell surface that did not bind platelets. A second cell type, which did not exhibit these cell markers and which is presumably the intramural pericyte, was obtained when the isolated microvessels were plated on tissue culture grade plastic in fetal bovine serum. Supported by Research Grants 5R01-EY03772 and 5R01-ES02380 from the U.S. Public Health Service (G. W. G.) and Established Investigator Award 31-107 from the American Heart Association (A. L. B.).     

Expression and regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor in human pulmonary epithelial cells

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent endothelial cell growth and permeability factor highly expressed in rodent alveolar epithelium after injury and repair. To investigate VEGF synthesis in human lung epithelial cells, we examined VEGF expression by cultured cells under basal conditions and after cytokine treatment or oxidative stress. Basal VEGF expression was detected in transformed human epithelial cell lines (A549 and 1HAEo-) and in primary human bronchial epithelial cells with RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunocytochemistry. Among the cytokines tested, only transforming growth factor-beta1 increased the levels of excreted VEGF(165) as measured by ELISA. Under hypoxia (0% O(2) for 24 h), the VEGF(165) level increased fivefold, and this effect was O(2) concentration dependent. VEGF concentrations in the medium of all the cell types studied reached values similar to those found in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from normal patients. Endothelial cells (human umbilical vein endothelial cells) exposed to conditioned medium from primary bronchial epithelial cell cultures showed an increased growth rate, which was inhibited in the presence of a specific neutralizing antibody to VEGF. These results suggest that lung epithelial cells participate in the endothelial repair and angiogenesis that follow lung injury through the synthesis of VEGF.     

In vitro effects of endotoxin on bovine and sheep lung microvascular and pulmonary artery endothelial cells

A single infusion of Escherichia coli endotoxin into sheep results in structural evidence of pulmonary endothelial injury, increases in both prostacyclin and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in lung lymph, and an increase in pulmonary microvascular permeability. Endotoxin-induced lung endothelial damage can also be induced in vitro, but to date these studies have utilized endothelium from large pulmonary vessels. In the present study, we have grown endothelial cells from peripheral lung vessels of cows and sheep and exposed these microvascular endothelial cells to endotoxin. Controls included lung microvascular endothelium without endotoxin and endothelial cells from bovine and sheep main pulmonary artery with and without addition of endotoxin. We found that endotoxin caused significant increases in release of prostacyclin and PGE2 from both bovine and sheep lung microvascular and pulmonary artery endothelium. Normal bovine and sheep pulmonary artery and bovine lung microvascular endothelium released greater levels of prostacyclin than PGE2 (ng/ng); release of PGE2 from the microvascular cells was greater than from the pulmonary artery endothelium in both species. Exposure of endothelial cells from cow and sheep main pulmonary artery to endotoxin results in endothelial cell retraction and pyknosis, a loss of barrier function, increased release of prostacyclin and PGE2 and eventual cell lysis. In lung microvascular cells, the increases in prostanoids were accompanied by changes in cell shape but occurred in the absence of either detectable alterations in barrier function or cytolysis. Thus, while endotoxin causes alterations to endothelial cells from both large and small pulmonary vessels, the effects are not identical suggesting site specific phenotypic expression of endothelial cells even within a single vessel. To determine whether the response of either the large or small pulmonary vessel endothelial cells in culture mimics most closely the in vivo response of the lung to endotoxin requires further study.     

Expression of simple epithelial type cytokeratins in stratified epithelia as detected by immunolocalization and hybridization in situ

Multi-layered ("stratified") epithelia differ from one-layered ("simple") polar epithelia by various architectural and functional properties as well as by their cytoskeletal complements, notably a set of cytokeratins characteristic of stratified tissue. The simple epithelial cytokeratins 8 and 18 have so far not been detected in any stratified epithelium. Using specific monoclonal antibodies we have noted, in several but not all samples of stratified epithelia, including esophagus, tongue, exocervix, and vagina, positive immunocytochemical reactions for cytokeratins 8, 18, and 19 which in some regions were selective for the basal cell layer(s) but extended into suprabasal layers in others. In situ hybridization with different probes (riboprobes, synthetic oligonucleotides) for mRNAs of cytokeratin 8 on esophageal epithelium has shown, in extended regions, relatively strong reactivity for cytokeratin 8 mRNA in the basal cell layer. In contrast, probes to cytokeratin 18 have shown much weaker hybridization which, however, was rather evenly spread over basal and suprabasal strata. These results, which emphasize the importance of in situ hybridization in studies of gene expression in complex tissues, show that the genes encoding simple epithelial cytokeratins can be expressed in stratified epithelia. This suggests that continual expression of genes coding for simple epithelial cytokeratins is compatible with the formation of squamous stratified tissues and can occur, at least in basal cell layers, simultaneously with the synthesis of certain stratification-related cytokeratins. We also emphasize differences of expression and immunoreactivity of these cytokeratins between different samples and in different regions of the same stratified epithelium and discuss the results in relation to changes of cytokeratin expression during fetal development of stratified epithelia, in response to environmental factors and during the formation of squamous cell carcinomas.     

Tumor necrosis factor alpha receptors in microvascular endothelial cells from bovine corpus luteum.

There is sufficient evidence to prove that tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) modulates bovine corpus luteum (CL) function. Our previous study demonstrated that functional TNFalpha receptors are present on luteal cells in bovine CL throughout the estrous cycle. The purpose of the present study was to identify the presence of functional TNFalpha receptors on the microvascular endothelial cells derived from developing bovine CL. TNFalpha receptors were analyzed by a radioreceptor assay using (125)I-labeled TNFalpha on two types of cultured endothelial cells. One has a cobblestone appearance (CS cells), and the other has a tube-like structure (TS cells). (125)I-Labeled TNFalpha binding was maximal after incubation for 30 h at 37 degrees C, and the specificity of binding was confirmed. A Scatchard analysis showed the presence of two binding sites (high- and low-affinity) for TNFalpha receptors on both CS and TS cells. The dissociation constant (K(d)) values and concentrations of the high-affinity binding sites for TNF receptors were similar for CS and TS cells. However, K(d) values and concentrations of the low-affinity binding sites in CS cells were significantly higher than those in TS cells (P < 0.05 or lower). The expression of TNF receptor type 1 (TNF-RI) mRNA was determined in both cell types. Furthermore, TNFalpha significantly stimulated prostaglandin E(2) and endothelin-1 secretion by both CS and TS cells (P < 0.05 or lower). These results indicate the presence of two types of TNF receptors and the expression of TNF-RI mRNA in the endothelial cells derived from bovine CL, and suggest that TNFalpha plays two or more roles in regulating the secretory function of the endothelial cells.     

Culture of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells on Gelfoam blocks.

Conventional methods of endothelial cell culture on monolayers and beads require enzymatic digestion, traumatic scraping, or centrifugation to transfer cells to other experimental systems. Gelfoam, a porous gelatin block, not only supports the growth of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells but also allows the rapid transfer of cell-laden blocks from one experimental system to another with minimal intervention. This property has been shown to be especially useful for the rapid fixation of endothelial cells for microscopy using standard histologic methods. Histology confirmed that the trabecular nature of the substrate allows endothelial cells to line the interstices of the sponge matrix and grow in a configuration that simulates the appearance of the endothelium in small vessels and capillaries. The inoculation of 1 x 10(5) endothelial cells on 7.5 mg Gelfoam (24 x 8 x 2 mm blocks) was enhanced by fibroblast growth factor and resulted in cell attachment by day 2 with a cell doubling time of 1.7 days. In addition, endothelial cells completely infiltrated 1, 5 and 7.5 mg Gelfoam blocks, as verified by histology. Assays to quantify cell number and protein were easily performed. To facilitate cell counting, the Gelfoam matrix was rapidly removed by the addition of 0.05 mg/ml collagenase, a concentration that interfered minimally with the assay for cellular protein concentration. The data demonstrate that Gelfoam is a suitable support growth matrix for the in vitro culture of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells.     

Disparate mechanisms of sICAM-1 production in the peripheral lung: contrast between alveolar epithelial cells and pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells

Membrane-associated intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (mICAM-1; CD54) is constitutively expressed on the surface of type I alveolar epithelial cells (AEC). Soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) may be produced by proteolytic cleavage of mICAM-1 or by alternative splicing of ICAM-1 mRNA. In contrast to inducible expression seen in most cell types, sICAM-1 is constitutively released by type I AEC and is present in normal alveolar lining fluid. Therefore, we compared the mechanism of sICAM-1 production in primary cultures of two closely juxtaposed cells in the alveolar wall, AEC and pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PVEC). AEC, but not PVEC, demonstrated high-level baseline expression of sICAM-1. Stimulation of AEC with TNFalpha or LPS resulted in minimal increase in AEC sICAM-1, whereas PVEC sICAM-1 was briskly induced in response to these signals. AEC sICAM-1 shedding was significantly reduced by treatment with a serine protease inhibitor, but not by cysteine, metalloprotease, or aspartic protease inhibitors. In contrast, none of these inhibitors effected sICAM-1 expression in PVEC. RT-PCR, followed by gel analysis of total RNA, suggests that alternatively spliced fragments are present in both cell types. However, a 16-mer oligopeptide corresponding to the juxtamembrane region of mICAM-1 completely abrogated sICAM-1 shedding in AEC but reduced stimulated PVEC sICAM-1 release by only 20%. Based on these data, we conclude that the predominant mechanism of sICAM-1 production likely differs in the two cell types from opposite sides of the alveolar wall.     

Zinc-related metallothionein metabolism in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells

Bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAEC) were cultured in vitro under a variety of conditions to investigate how metallothionein (MT) might participate in zinc homeostasis. Experimental conditions included 10% serum to ensure that the in vitro environment would be a better reflection of the in vivo situation than with protein-free medium. MT was increased by acutely high zinc concentrations (100-200 micromol/L) in the extracellular environment. MT was relatively insensitive to moderate changes in zinc concentration (2-50 micromol/L), even after prolonged exposure for 7 to 12 days. BPAEC had reduced MT content when grown in medium containing serum that had been dialyzed to remove components with a molecular mass of less than 1,000, including zinc. Because the principal source of the major minerals in the experimental medium was not the serum, their concentrations in the final medium were not significantly influenced by serum dialysis. Restoring the zinc concentration in the medium containing the dialyzed serum did not restore MT content in BPAEC, suggesting that some small molecular weight molecule other than zinc established their basal MT content. This study did not identify these putative factors in serum, but hormones are likely candidates. Forty-eight-hour incubations of BPAEC with interleukin (IL-6) or dexamethasone increased cellular MT; however, 17beta-estradiol decreased MT, and IL-1 and adenosine 3',5'-cyclic phosphate (cAMP) had no discernible effect. We conclude that extracellular zinc concentrations have relatively little impact on the cellular concentrations of MT and zinc of BPAEC in vitro. Zinc homeostasis by BPAEC is not maintained by changing the MT concentration in response to changes in the extracellular zinc environment. (J. Nutr. Biochem. 10:00-00, 1999).     

内毒诱导肺动脉内皮细胞生成过氧亚硝基阴离子的意义

目的：探讨牛肺动脉内皮细胞（BPAEC）产生过氧亚硝基阴离子（ONOO^-）的能力及其作用。方法：用流式细胞免疫荧光技术,定量检测内毒素主要成分脂多糖（LPS）诱导培养的BPAEC中ONOO^-生成标志物硝基酪氨酸（NT）的含量,观察ONOO^-对BPAEC形态变化的影响。结果：LPS可剂量依赖性诱导BPAEC产生ONOO^-明显增多,并为氮基胍部分翻转;ONOO^-可导致BPAEC明显回缩,胞体变小,细胞间隙增宽。结论：LPS诱导BPAEC产生增多的ONOO^-可能参与介导LPS对BPAEC本身的损伤效应。     

Regulation of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells.

To evaluate the regulation of endothelial cell Cu,Zn-SOD, we have exposed bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells in culture to hyperoxia and hypoxia, second messengers or related agonists, hormones, free radical generating systems, endotoxin, and cytokines and have measured Cu,Zn-SOD protein of these cells by an ELISA developed in our laboratory. Control preconfluent and confluent cells in room air contained 196 +/- 18 ng Cu,Zn-SOD/10(6) cells. A23187 (0.33 microM), forskolin (10 microM), isobutylmethylxanthine (0.1 mM), dexamethasone (1 microM), triiodothyronine (1 microM) and retinoic acid (1 microM) failed to alter this level of Cu,Zn-SOD. Exposure to anoxia and hyperoxia both elevated the level approximately 1.5-2.0-fold over 20% oxygen-exposed controls at 48-72 hr. Similarly, exposures to glucose oxidase (0.0075 units/ml), menadione (12.5 microM), xanthine-xanthine oxidase (10 microM, 0.03 units/ml) and H2O2 (0.0005%) increased the level up to two-threefold over controls at 24-48 hr. Lipopolysaccharide, TGF beta 1, TNF alpha, and Il-1 also increased levels of cellular Cu,Zn-SOD, but only in proliferating cells. Il-2, Il-4, interferon-gamma, and GM-CSF had no effect on Cu,Zn-SOD. All treatments that elevated SOD resulted in inhibition of cellular growth, but decreased growth of cells at confluence alone was not associated with increased Cu,Zn-SOD. We propose from these studies that Cu,Zn-SOD of endothelial cells is not under conventional second messenger or hormonal regulation, but that up-regulation of the enzyme is associated with (and perhaps stimulated by) free-radical or oxidant production that also may be influenced by availability of certain cytokines under replicating conditions.     

Expression of tissue kallikrein and kinin receptors in angiogenic microvascular endothelial cells

Angiogenesis is the sprouting of new capillary blood vessels from pre-existing ones. The kinin family of vasoactive peptides, formed by the serine protease tissue kallikrein from its endogenous multifunctional protein substrate kininogen, is believed to regulate the angiogenic process. The aim of this study was to determine the expression of tissue kallikrein and kinin receptors in an in vitro model of angiogenesis. Microvascular endothelial cells from the bovine mature and regressing corpus luteum were used only if they reacted with known endothelial cell markers. At first the cultured endothelial cells began sprouting, and within four weeks formed three-dimensional, capillary-like structures. Immunolabelling for tissue prokallikrein and the mature enzyme was intense in the angiogenic endothelial cells derived from mature corpora lutea. Immunoreactivity was lower in non-angiogenic endothelial cells and least in angiogenic endothelial cultures of the regressing corpus luteum. Additionally, using specific antisense DIG-labelled probes, tissue kallikrein mRNA was demonstrated in cells of the angiogenic phenotype. Immunolabelled kinin B2 receptors, but not kinin B1 receptors, were visualised on angiogenic endothelial cells. Our results suggest an important regulatory role for kinins in the multiple steps of the angiogenic cascade that may occur in wound healing and cancer cell growth.     

Natriuretic peptides differentially attenuate thrombin-induced barrier dysfunction in pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells

Previous studies have described a protective effect of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) against agonist-induced permeability in endothelial cells derived from various vascular beds. In the current study, we assessed the effects of the three natriuretic peptides on thrombin-induced barrier dysfunction in rat lung microvascular endothelial cells (LMVEC). Both ANP and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) attenuated the effect of thrombin on increased endothelial monolayer permeability and significantly enhanced the rate of barrier restoration. C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) had no effect on the degree of thrombin-induced monolayer permeability, but did enhance the restoration of the endothelial barrier, similar to ANP and BNP. In contrast, the non-guanylyl cyclase-linked natriuretic peptide receptor specific ligand, cyclic-atrial natriuretic factor (c-ANF), delayed the rate of barrier restoration following exposure to thrombin. All three natriuretic peptides promoted cGMP production in the endothelial cells; however, 8-bromo-cGMP alone did not significantly affect thrombin modulation of endothelial barrier function. ANP and BNP, but not CNP or c-ANF, blunted thrombin-induced RhoA GTPase activation. We conclude that ANP and BNP protect against thrombin-induced barrier dysfunction in the pulmonary microcirculation by a cGMP-independent mechanism, possibly by attenuation of RhoA activation.