Regulation of endothelin 1 gene by fluid shear stress is transcriptionally mediated and independent of protein kinase C and cAMP

Regulation of PDGF-B in endothelial cells exposed to cyclic strain

The present study was designed to examine the regulation by cyclic strain of endothelial cell (EC) platelet-derived growth factor-B chain (PDGF-B) expression. We demonstrate in this study that bovine aortic ECs subjected to 10% (but not 6%) average strain resulted in a 2.6-fold increase in PDGF-B steady state mRNA and immunoreactive protein. Nuclear runoff transcription assays confirmed the induction of PDGF-B transcripts. To address the regulation of PDGF-B gene expression by cyclic strain, we transfected bovine aortic ECs with a construct containing 450 bp of human PDGF-B promoter sequence coupled to chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT), and found that subjecting these cells to 10% average strain resulted in a twofold increase in CAT activity by 4 hours. Analysis of nested 5' deletions of the promoter transfected into ECs demonstrated a 55% drop-off in activity between position -313 and -153, with no induction of activity with the - 101-bp minimal promoter. Since a shear stress response element (SSRE) is located at position -125, we tested the hypothesis that the SSRE site was necessary and/or sufficient for induction of PDGF-B activity with strain. Electromobility shift assays revealed that nuclear proteins from ECs exposed to strain for short intervals (30 minutes) bound to the PDGF-B SSRE. However, transfection of ECs with hybrid promoter constructs containing the SV40 sequence promoter downstream of the SSRE or the -153 PDGF-B promoter sequence bearing a mutation in the SSRE demonstrated that the SSRE was not necessary for inducible reporter gene expression in ECs exposed to cyclic strain.

Cellular localization of endothelin-1 and increased production in liver injury in the rat: potential for autocrine and paracrine effects on stellate cells

Endothelin (ET) peptides have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several biological processes within the liver. ET levels are elevated in the circulation of patients with cirrhosis, and recent data suggest that ET may be overproduced in the liver itself in this condition. The aims of the current study were to elucidate the cellular source and expression of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in normal and injured liver, and to investigate its biological effects on stellate cells, the primary target of ETs in the liver. In normal hepatic cells, preproET-1 messenger RNA (mRNA) was detected in only nonparenchymal cells, predominantly in sinusoidal endothelial cells. After biliary fibrosis and early cirrhosis induced by bile duct ligation, preproET-1 mRNA and immunoreactive ET levels increased with progressive injury in whole liver extracts, as well as in isolated stellate and endothelial cell fractions. Eight days after bile duct ligation, the relative increase in preproET-1 mRNA was 1.6- and 7.6-fold above normal in sinusoidal endothelial and stellate cells, respectively. Additionally, immunoreactive ET peptide levels increased by 60% +/- 27% over basal values in sinusoidal endothelial cells and 98% +/- 40% in stellate cells. Cultured stellate cells responded dramatically to exogenous ET-1 by the spreading and up-regulation of smooth muscle alpha actin expression. Furthermore, in early culture before cellular activation, ET-1 (10 nmol/L) caused over a twofold increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation, while activated cells (i.e., those cultured for >1 week) exposed to ET-1 exhibited up to a fivefold decrease in [3H]thymidine incorporation. The data indicate that not only is ET-1 overproduced by both sinusoidal endothelial and stellate cells during liver injury, but that it also has potent effects on features of stellate cell activation. We conclude that autocrine and paracrine production of ET-1 is prominent and is likely to be important in the pathogenesis of hepatic diseases.

Biphasic regulation of the preproendothelin-1 gene by c-myc

Endothelin-1 (ET-1), a potent vasoconstrictive/mitogenic peptide originally isolated from vascular endothelium, stimulates the expression of immediate early response genes such as c-myc. The c-myc protooncogene participates in regulating the cascade of events that follow mitogenic stimulation of quiescent cells. Using a panel of isogenic fibroblast cell lines with differential c-myc expression levels (obtained by disrupting one c-myc gene copy with targeted homologous recombination and subsequently stably transfecting the heterozygous cells with an exogenous c-myc transgene), we demonstrate that c-Myc protein regulates ET-1 gene transcription in a biphasic fashion: as an activator at low concentrations and as a repressor at high concentrations. Using rat endothelial cells treated with antisense c-myc oligodeoxynucleotides, we also show that c-myc regulates ET-1 synthesis and secretion in a biphasic manner. The present report, therefore, demonstrates the existence of a signal transduction pathway that regulates the synthesis and secretion of ET-1 via the immediate early transcription factor, c-Myc.

Negative transcriptional regulation of the VCAM-1 gene by fluid shear stress in murine endothelial cells

To explore the mechanism of shear stress-induced downregulation of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) expression in murine endothelial cells (ECs), we examined the effect of shear stress on VCAM-1 gene transcription and assessed the cis-acting elements involved in this phenomenon. VCAM-1 mRNA expression was downregulated at the transcriptional level as defined by nuclear run-on assay and transient transfection of VCAM-1 promoter-luciferase gene constructs. The luciferase assay on the VCAM-1 deletion mutants revealed that the cis-acting element is contained between -694 and -329 bp upstream from the transcription initiation site. Gel shift assay using overlapping oligonucleotide probes of this region showed that oligonucleotides containing a double AP-1 consensus sequence (TGACTCA) formed distinct complexes with nuclear proteins extracted from shear-stressed cells. Mutation of either one or both of two AP-1 consensus sequences completely abolished the ability of the promoter to respond to shear stress. These results suggest that fluid shear stress downregulates the transcription of the VCAM-1 gene via an upstream cis-element, a double AP-1 consensus sequence, in murine lymph node venule ECs.

Regulation of endothelin-1 gene expression by cell shape and the microfilament network in vascular endothelium

Endothelial synthesis and release of endothelin-1 (ET-1) are exquisitely regulated by external shear and strain. We tested the hypothesis that manipulation of endothelial cell shape can regulate ET-1 gene expression. Treatment of bovine aortic endothelial cell (BAEC) monolayers with cytochalasin D disrupted F-actin and induced cell retraction and rounding, in parallel with time- and dose-dependent specific decreases in ET-1 mRNA levels. Treatments with forskolin, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, staurosporine, and genistein also induced cell shape change and decreased F-actin staining and ET-1 mRNA levels. BAEC plated onto nonadhesive petri dishes coated with decreasing concentrations of synthetic RGD polymer showed RGD dose-dependent decreases in cell spreading and in F-actin microfilament elaboration. These changes were specifically accompanied by decreases in ET-1 peptide secretion (60%) and, via posttranscriptional mechanisms, ET-1 mRNA (94%) and were not due to decreased cell-cell contact. We conclude that the shape and microfilament network of endothelial cells are potent posttranscriptional regulators of ET-1 gene expression.

Fluid Shear Stress Modulates von Willebrand Factor Release From Human Vascular Endothelium

Fluid shear stress generated by blood flow on arterial wall may play a role in the process of atherosclerosis, not only affecting the mass transport phenomena that take place in blood, but also by modulation of synthesis and secretion of humoral factors released by vascular endothelium that mediate platelet-vessel wall interactions. The present study was designed to investigate whether shear stress, induced by laminar flow, modulates von Willebrand factor (vWF ) release from cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and whether this physical stimulation can affect vWF synthesis. Monolayers of HUVEC were exposed to laminar flow of varying magnitude (from 2 to 12 dynes/cm2) using a cone-and-plate device. The release of vWF in cell supernatant and in extracellular matrix by cells exposed to flow or maintained in static conditions was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. HUVEC exposed to laminar flow released higher amounts of vWF into the cell supernatant within few hours of exposure and vWF secretion was dependent on shear stress magnitude. vWF released in extracellular matrix was also higher in cell monolayers exposed to shear than in static controls. vWF mRNA expression in HUVEC was not affected by exposure of cells to laminar flow, indicating that shear-induced vWF release reflected enhanced secretion without de novo protein synthesis. Immunofluorescence studies showed that the release of vWF is due to exocytosis from Weibel-Palade bodies, the storage organelles of vWF. These data indicate a novel mechanism by which local hemodynamic shear forces modulate endothelial cell function and may play a role in development of arterial thrombotic events.

Fluid Shear Stress Modulates von Willebrand Factor Release From Human Vascular Endothelium

Fluid shear stress generated by blood flow on arterial wall may play a role in the process of atherosclerosis, not only affecting the mass transport phenomena that take place in blood, but also by modulation of synthesis and secretion of humoral factors released by vascular endothelium that mediate platelet-vessel wall interactions. The present study was designed to investigate whether shear stress, induced by laminar flow, modulates von Willebrand factor (vWF ) release from cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and whether this physical stimulation can affect vWF synthesis. Monolayers of HUVEC were exposed to laminar flow of varying magnitude (from 2 to 12 dynes/cm2) using a cone-and-plate device. The release of vWF in cell supernatant and in extracellular matrix by cells exposed to flow or maintained in static conditions was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. HUVEC exposed to laminar flow released higher amounts of vWF into the cell supernatant within few hours of exposure and vWF secretion was dependent on shear stress magnitude. vWF released in extracellular matrix was also higher in cell monolayers exposed to shear than in static controls. vWF mRNA expression in HUVEC was not affected by exposure of cells to laminar flow, indicating that shear-induced vWF release reflected enhanced secretion without de novo protein synthesis. Immunofluorescence studies showed that the release of vWF is due to exocytosis from Weibel-Palade bodies, the storage organelles of vWF. These data indicate a novel mechanism by which local hemodynamic shear forces modulate endothelial cell function and may play a role in development of arterial thrombotic events.

Shear stress as an inhibitor of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. Role of transforming growth factor-beta 1 and tissue-type plasminogen activator

We examined whether shear stress can inhibit vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation in vitro directly. Human VSMCs were exposed to fluid flow for 24 hours using a cone-plate apparatus, and their proliferation was inhibited significantly by shear stresses of 1.4 and 2.8 Pa (14 and 28 dyne/cm2), according to the magnitude. Next, we investigated whether transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF beta 1), which is known to be an important cytokine that suppresses VSMC proliferation, is the predominant mediator of shear-induced inhibition of VSMC growth. After exposure of VSMCs to shear stress (2.8 Pa) for 24 hours, gene expression of TGF beta 1 and, interestingly, tissue-type plasminogen activator, which converts plasminogen to plasmin, an activator of TGF beta 1, increased twofold and fivefold, respectively. The levels of both latent and active forms of TGF beta 1 in conditioned media of VSMCs exposed to fluid flow increased significantly. An anti-TGF beta 1 antibody reversed shear-induced inhibition of VSMC growth significantly. We concluded that shear stress inhibited VSMC proliferation in vitro and this inhibition was mediated predominantly by TGF beta 1 in an autocrine manner. These data suggest that shear stress plays an important role as an inhibitor of atherogenesis in endothelium-desquamated lesions.

Molecular cloning and expression of a bovine endothelial inward rectifier potassium channel

A 5.1 kb cDNA encoding an inward rectifier K+ channel (BIK) was isolated from a bovine aortic endothelial cell library. The cDNA codes for a 427-amino-acid protein with two putative transmembrane regions. Sequence analysis reveals that BIK is a member of the Kir2.1 family of inward rectifier K+ channels. Expression in Xenopus oocytes showed that BIK is a K+-specific strong inward rectifier channel that is sensitive to extracellular Ba2+, Cs+, and a variety of anti-arrhythmic agents. Northern analysis revealed that endothelial cells express a 5.5 kb BIK mRNA that is sensitive to shear stress.

Shear stress induction of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene is calcium-dependent but not calcium-activated

Arterial levels of shear stress (25 dynes/cm2) can elevate constitutive endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene expression in cultured endothelial cells (Ranjan et al., 1995). By PhosphorImaging of Northern blots, we report that the eNOS/glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) messenger RNA (mRNA) ratio in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) increased by 4.8- and 7.95-fold after 6-hr shear stress exposure of 4 and 25 dynes/cm2, respectively. Incubation of BAEC with dexamethasone (1 microM) had no effect on shear stress induction of eNOS mRNA. Buffering of intracellular calcium in BAEC with bis-(o-aminophenoxy)-ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, tetra(acetoxymethyl)-ester (BAPTA/AM) reduced shear stress induction of eNOS mRNA by 70%. Yet, stimulation of BAEC with ionomycin (0.1-1.0 microM) for 6-24 hr to elevate intracellular calcium had no effect on eNOS mRNA. These studies indicated that the shear stress induction of eNOS mRNA was a calcium-dependent, but not calcium-activated, process. Shear stress was a very potent and rapid inducer of the eNOS mRNA, which could not be mimicked with phorbol myristrate acetate or endotoxin. Inhibition of tyrosine kinases with genistein (10 microM) or tyrphostin B46 (10 microM) or inhibition of G-protein signaling with guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate) (GDP-betaS) (600 microM, 6-hr preincubation) did not block the shear stress elevation of eNOS mRNA.

New concepts in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension: hepatic wounding and stellate cell contractility

The pathogenesis of portal hypertension is multifactorial, and appears to result from interplay between fixed and dynamically modulable elements; the stellate cell is a newly recognized example of the latter. This perisinusoidal, pericyte-like cell has contractile features that are most prominent after liver injury, concomitant with their activation. These data imply an exaggerated contractile phenotype in the cirrhotic liver. This cell may contribute to increased intrahepatic portal hypertension via perisinusoidal constriction of the sinusoid or by contraction of fibrous extracellular matrix rich in type I collagen with concomitant disruption of lobular architecture. Endothelins and NO play a major role in the modulation of stellate cell contractility, and are therefore important in the pathogenesis of intrahepatic portal hypertension. These new data provide potential areas for therapeutic intervention in this clinical entity.

Shear stress induction of the tissue factor gene

Using flow channel, we report that the application of a laminar shear stress induced a transient increase of tissue factor (TF) procoagulant activity in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), which was accompanied by a rapid and transient induction of the TF mRNA in the HUVEC. Functional analysis of the 2.2 kb TF 5' promoter indicated that a GC-rich region containing three copies each of the EGR-1 and Sp1 sites was required for induction. Mutation of the Sp1 sites, but not the EGR-1 sites, attenuated the response of TF promoter to shear stress. Thus, Sp1 is a newly defined shear stress responsive element. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed there was no increase in binding of nuclear extracts from sheared cells to an Sp1 consensus site. In contrast, immunoblotting of these nuclear extracts with antibody against transcription factor Sp1 demonstrated that shear stress increased the phosphorylation of Sp1. We also showed that shear stress, like the phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid, increased the transcriptional activity of Sp1. These findings suggest that the shear stress induction of TF gene expression is mediated through an increased Sp1 transcriptional activity with a concomitant hyperphosphorylation of Sp1.

Specific repression of the preproendothelin-1 gene in intracranial arteriovenous malformations

Cerebrovascular arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) display abnormal vascular development and dysautoregulation of blood flow. Genetic mechanisms that contribute to the pathogenesis and phenotype of cerebral AVMs are unknown. As a first step in understanding the pathophysiology of AVMs, the authors investigated the hypothesis that endothelial dysfunction-specifically, deregulation of endothelin-1 (ET-1) secretion-contributes to the abnormal vascular phenotype and the lack of hemodynamic autoregulation elaborated by these lesions. Endothelin-1 peptide and preproendothelin-1 (ppET1) messenger RNA were not detected in the intranidal vasculature of all 17 patients with AVMs studied, but were prominently expressed in human control subjects with normal cerebrovasculature (p < 0.01). Although AVM vasculature lacked ET-1, its expression was prominent in vasculature distant from these lesions, suggesting local repression of the ppET-1 gene. Local repression of ET-1 was specific to AVMs; ET-1 in vascular malformations of patients with Sturge-Weber disease was actually elevated compared to normal controls (p < 0.01). Repression of the ppET-1 gene was an intrinsic phenotype of AVM endothelial cells and was not due to factors in the AVM microenvironment. The authors also showed that ETA receptor expression was low in AVM vasculature compared to normal controls. Together, these results demonstrate that the ppET-1 gene is locally repressed in AVM lesions and suggest a role for abnormal ppET-1 gene regulation in the pathogenesis and clinical sequelae of cerebral AVMs.

Inhibitors of endothelin

With the advent of the first generation of both selective and nonselective endothelin antagonists being a relatively recent event, the manifold therapeutic potentials of these compounds are only now being explored clinically. Undoubtedly, numerous clinical utilities for these compounds will soon be realized.

Molecular pharmacology and pathophysiological significance of endothelin

Since the discovery of the most potent vasoconstrictor peptide, endothelin, in 1988, explosive investigations have rapidly clarified much of the basic pharmacological, biochemical and molecular biological features of endothelin, including the presence and structure of isopeptides and their genes (endothelin-1, -2 and -3), regulation of gene expression, intracellular processing, specific endothelin converting enzyme (ECE), receptor subtypes (ETA and ETB), intracellular signal transduction following receptor activation, etc. ECE was recently cloned, and its structure was shown to be a single transmembrane protein with a short intracellular N-terminal and a long extracellular C-terminal that contains the catalytic domain and numerous N-glycosylation sites. In addition to acute contractile or secretory actions, endothelin has been shown to exert long-term proliferative actions on many cell types. In this case, intracellular signal transduction appears to converge to activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase. As a recent dramatic advance, a number of non-peptide and orally active receptor antagonists have been developed. They, as well as current peptide antagonists, markedly accelerated the pace of investigations into the true pathophysiological roles of endogenous endothelin-1 in mature animals; e.g., hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, acute renal failure, cerebral vasospasm, vascular thickening, cardiac hypertrophy, chronic heart failure, etc. Thus, the interference with the endothelin pathway by either ECE-inhibition or receptor blockade may provide an exciting prospect for the development of novel therapeutic drugs.

Cardiovascular effects of exercise: role of endothelial shear stress

Experimental, epidemiologic and clinical studies have provided strong evidence that physical exercise has beneficial effects on multiple physiological variables affecting cardiovascular health (lipoprotein levels, rest blood pressure and heart rate, carbohydrate tolerance, neurohormonal activity). Regular exercise has been shown to slow the progression of cardiovascular disease and to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. More recently, exercise-induced increases in blood flow and shear stress have been observed to enhance vascular function and structure. By increasing the release of nitric oxide and prostacyclin, shear stress augments endothelium-dependent vasodilation and inhibits multiple processes involved in atherogenesis and restenosis. In this review we discuss the underlying mechanisms by which exercise-induced blood flow and shear stress exert their salutary effects on cardiovascular remodeling.

Sustained increase in aortic endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression in vivo in a model of chronic high blood flow

Physiological adaptation of normal blood vessels to acute or chronic changes in blood flow is endothelium dependent. In vitro studies have shown that, among other genes, NO synthase (NOS) 3 mRNA and protein expression is enhanced by acute elevation of shear stress in endothelial cells. We have investigated the effect of chronic high blood flow on NOS3 mRNA and protein expression in rat aorta. NOS3 mRNA levels were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the aortas of 12 rats with arteriovenous fistulas and 9 sham-operated control rats. The PCR assay indicated that NOS3 mRNA levels were significantly enhanced (twofold) during high blood flow. Western blots showed that immunoreactive NOS3 levels were also increased to a similar extent. Furthermore, the Ca(2+)-dependent NOS activity, measured by the L-arginine to L-citrulline conversion assay, and the cGMP content were also significantly increased in the proximal aortic wall submitted to the arteriovenous shunt. These results indicate that NOS3 mRNA and protein expression is enhanced in vivo during chronic high blood flow.

Shear stress modulates expression of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase in human aortic endothelial cells

A major determinant of the level of cellular superoxide anion (O2-.) is the dismutation of O2-. to hydrogen peroxide by the enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD). Three forms of SOD exist, but in endothelial cells, the major form outside of the mitochondria is the cytosolic copper/zinc-containing superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD). Since fluid shear stress is an important determinant of the function and structure of endothelial cells in vivo, we examined the effect of laminar shear stress on the expression of Cu/Zn SOD in cultured human aortic endothelial cells. Laminar shear stress of 0.6 to 15 dyne/cm2 increased Cu/Zn SOD mRNA in a time- and dose-dependent manner in human aortic endothelial cells. Shear stress also increased both Cu/Zn SOD protein content and the enzyme activity. Nuclear runon assays showed that nuclei from human aortic endothelial cells exposed to laminar shear stress had a 1.6-fold greater transcriptional activity of the Cu/Zn SOD gene compared with cells not exposed to shear, indicating that an increase in Cu/Zn SOD mRNA induced by laminar shear stress is at least in part mediated by increased transcription. In contrast, shear stress had no effect on Cu/Zn SOD mRNA levels in human aortic smooth muscle cells. These findings show that physiological levels of shear stress increase expression of Cu/Zn SOD in the endothelium. This adaptation to shear stress might augment the effect of locally produced NO. and thereby promote the antiatherogenic and anti-inflammatory properties of the endothelial cell.

Mechanism of endothelial cell shape change and cytoskeletal remodeling in response to fluid shear stress

Endothelium exposed to fluid shear stress (FSS) undergoes cell shape change, alignment and microfilament network remodeling in the direction of flow by an unknown mechanism. In this study we explore the role of tyrosine kinase (TK) activity, intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i), mechanosensitive channels and cytoskeleton in the mechanism of cell shape change and actin stress fiber induction in bovine aortic endothelium (BAE). We report that FSS induces beta-actin mRNA in a time- and magnitude-dependent fashion. Treatment with quin2-AM to chelate intracellular calcium release and herbimycin A to inhibit TK activity abolished BAE shape change and actin stress fiber induction by FSS, while inhibition of protein kinase C with chelerythrine had no effect. Altering intermediate filament structure with acrylamide did not affect alignment or F-actin induction by FSS. Examining the role of the BAE cytoskeleton revealed a critical role for microtubules (MT). MT disruption with nocodazole blocked both FSS-induced morphological change and actin stress fiber induction. In contrast, MT hyperpolymerization with taxol attenuated the cell shape change but did not prevent actin stress fiber induction under flow. Mechanosensitive channels were found not to be involved in the FSS-induced shape change. Blocking the shear-activated current (IK.S) with barium and the stretch-activated cation channels (ISA) with gadolinium had no effect on the shear-induced changes in morphology and cytoskeleton. In summary, FSS has a profound effect on endothelial shape and F-actin network by a mechanism which depends on TK activity, intracellular calcium, and an intact microtubule network, but is independent of protein kinase C, intermediate filaments and shear- and stretch-activated mechanosensitive channels.

Thrombolysis, flow, and vessel wall interactions

Vascular endothelium remains a dynamic interface between blood, blood platelets, and the vessel wall. New developments make clear that many antithrombotic and prothrombotic responses of the endothelium depend on flow conditions in an adaptive manner: duration of a certain level of shear stress matters as well as level of shear. In general, over the course of several hours, endothelium appears to be more actively antithrombotic under moderate shear conditions (eg, 15 dyne/cm2) and more fibrinolytic under high shear conditions (eg, 30 dyne/cm2). Pulsatile flow and cyclic wall stress further modify these responses. Special consideration, moreover, must be given to branch points and regions of irregular geometry (ie, stenoses, aneurysms) in the circulation. In such locations-predilection sites for thrombosis, lipid uptake, and atherosclerosis-low levels of shear stress (eg, 0.5 dyne/cm2), large gradients in shear stress, and vessel wall bending stresses all become important. Preliminary work suggests that endothelial cells in such regions can become prothrombotic, leading to localized platelet adhesion/aggregation and fibrin formation on subendothelium and perhaps deeper structures following vessel injury. Flow effects on thrombolysis remain largely unstudied.

Role of phospholipase D in the cAMP signal transduction pathway activated during fibroblast contraction of collagen matrices

Fibroblast contraction of stressed collagen matrices results in activation of a cAMP signal transduction pathway. This pathway involves influx of extracellular Ca2+ ions and increased production of arachidonic acid. We report that within 5 min after initiating contraction, a burst of phosphatidic acid release was detected. Phospholipase D was implicated in production of phosphatidic acid based on observation of a transphosphatidylation reaction in the presence of ethanol that resulted in formation of phosphatidylethanol at the expense of phosphatidic acid. Activation of phospholipase D required extracellular Ca2+ ions and was regulated by protein kinase C. Ethanol treatment of cells also inhibited by 60-70% contraction-dependent release of arachidonic acid and cAMP but had no effect on increased cAMP synthesis after addition of exogenous arachidonic acid or on phospholipase A2 activity measured in cell extracts. Moreover, other treatments that inhibited the burst of phosphatidic acid release after contraction--chelating extracellular Ca2+ or down-regulating protein kinase C--also blocked contraction activated cyclic AMP signaling. These results were consistent with the idea that phosphatidic acid production occurred upstream of arachidonic acid in the contraction-activated cAMP signaling pathway.

The cis-acting phorbol ester "12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate"-responsive element is involved in shear stress-induced monocyte chemotactic protein 1 gene expression

Vascular endothelial cells, serving as a barrier between vessel and blood, are exposed to shear stress in the body. Although endothelial responses to shear stress are important in physiological adaption to the hemodynamic environments, they can also contribute to pathological conditions--e.g., in atherosclerosis and reperfusion injury. We have previously shown that shear stress mediates a biphasic response of monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) gene expression in vascular endothelial cells and that the regulation is at the transcriptional level. These observations led us to functionally analyze the 550-bp promoter region of the MCP-1-encoding gene to define the cis element responding to shear stress. The shear stress/luciferase assay on the deletion constructs revealed that a 38-bp segment (-53 to -90 bp relative to the transcription initiation site) containing two divergent phorbol ester "12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate" (TPA)-responsive elements (TRE) is critical for shear inducibility. Site-specific mutations on these two sites further demonstrated that the proximal one (TGACTCC) but not the distal one (TCACTCA) was shear-responsive. Shear inducibility was lost after the mutation or deletion of the proximal site. This molecular mechanism of shear inducibility of the MCP-1 gene was functional in both the epithelial-like HeLa cells and bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC). In a construct with four copies of the TRE consensus sequences TGACTACA followed by the rat prolactin minimal promoter and luciferase gene, shear stress induced the reporter activities by 35-fold and 7-fold in HeLa cells and BAEC, respectively. The application of shear stress on BAEC also induced a rapid and transient phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases. Pretreatment of BAEC with TPA attenuated the shear-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation, suggesting that shear stress and TPA share a similar signal transduction pathway in activating cells. The present study provides a molecular basis for the transient induction of MCP-1 gene by shear stress.

Nuclear factor-kappa B interacts functionally with the platelet-derived growth factor B-chain shear-stress response element in vascular endothelial cells exposed to fluid shear stress

Hemodynamic forces, such as fluid shear stress, that act on the endothelial lining of the cardiovascular system can modulate the expression of an expanding number of genes crucial for homeostasis and the pathogenesis of vascular disease. A 6-bp core element (5'-GAGACC-3'), defined previously as a shear-stress response element is present in the promoters of many genes, including the PDGF B-chain, whose expression is modulated by shear stress. The identity of the nuclear protein(s) binding to this element has not yet been elucidated. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assays and in vitro DNase I footprinting, we demonstrate that nuclear factor-kappa B p50-p65 heterodimers, which accumulate in the nuclei of cultured vascular endothelial cells exposed to fluid shear stress, bind to the PDGF-B shear-stress response element in a specific manner. Mutation of this binding motif abrogated its interaction with p50-p65 and abolished the ability of the promoter to mediate increased gene expression in endothelial cells exposed to shear stress. Transient cotransfection studies indicate that p50-p65 is able to activate PDGF-B shear-stress response element-dependent reporter gene expression in these cells. These findings thus implicate nuclear factor-kappa B in the transactivation of an endothelial gene responding to a defined fluid mechanical force.

Sickle erythrocytes, after sickling, regulate the expression of the endothelin-1 gene and protein in human endothelial cells in culture

The molecular defect in sickle cell disease resides in the beta globin gene, with consequent defects in erythrocytes only, suggesting that the vascular occlusion and vasomotor instability which characterize this disease are the result of interactions between abnormal sickle erythrocytes and cells of the blood vessel wall. We explored whether sickle erythrocytes may have effects on vascular tone, exclusive of adhesion events. Exposure of human endothelial cells in culture to previously sickled sickle erythrocytes resulted in a four to eight-fold transcriptional induction of the gene encoding the potent vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 (ET-1). Unsickled sickle erythrocytes or normal erythrocytes exposed to "sickling" conditions had no effect on ET-1 gene induction. Contact of the sickled erythrocytes with the endothelium was not required. Elevations in the ET-1 transcript peaked at 3 h after exposure and persisted for up to 24 h. Four to sixfold increases in the amount of ET-1 peptide was released into the medium surrounding the endothelial cells after exposure to sickled sickle erythrocytes. This is the first demonstration of the regulation of gene expression in endothelial cells as a result of interaction with sickle cells, with induction of genes encoding vasoconstrictors. Furthermore, these findings suggest that sickle erythrocytes may have the capacity to affect local vasomotor tone directly.

Flow-mediated endothelial mechanotransduction

Mechanical forces associated with blood flow play important roles in the acute control of vascular tone, the regulation of arterial structure and remodeling, and the localization of atherosclerotic lesions. Major regulation of the blood vessel responses occurs by the action of hemodynamic shear stresses on the endothelium. The transmission of hemodynamic forces throughout the endothelium and the mechanotransduction mechanisms that lead to biophysical, biochemical, and gene regulatory responses of endothelial cells to hemodynamic shear stresses are reviewed.

Endothelial cell products alter mammalian skeletal muscle function in vitro

We tested the hypothesis that endothelin and nitric oxide (NO) alter the force developed by fast-twitch and slow-twitch mammalian skeletal muscle, using a mouse skeletal muscle preparation trimmed to approximately 50% of the original diameter to decrease diffusion distances. We suspended trimmed soleus (SOL) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles in Krebs-Henseleit buffer (27 degrees C; pH 7.4) gassed with 95% O2 -5% CO2. Muscles were stimulated once every 90 s for 500 ms at 50 Hz for SOL and 100 Hz for EDL. The force developed by trimmed SOL was 223.8 +/- 9.1 mN/mm2 and by EDL was 247.3 +/- 9.4 mN/mm2. Endothelin 1 (ET-1) had no effect on EDL but significantly accelerated the rate of decrease of developed force of SOL at concentrations of 10(-10) mol/L and higher within 10 contractions. When ET-1 was removed, force returned toward control value. Endothelin 3 (ET-3) had no effect on either muscle. S-Nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP), a source of NO, increased developed force over time in both muscles, with a threshold of 10(-6) mol/L. The effect was evident within 5 contractions in both muscles. Force remained elevated above control values after the removal of SNAP. Thus ET-1 attenuated and NO amplified mammalian skeletal muscle function.

Thrombin induces the preproendothelin-1 gene in endothelial cells by a protein tyrosine kinase-linked mechanism

Thrombin stimulates synthesis and secretion of endothelin-1 (ET-1), a vasoactive peptide that triggers responses in the vascular endothelium and smooth muscle. We investigated the signal transduction pathways by which thrombin stimulates preproET-1 gene expression and ET-1 peptide secretion in macrovascular cells (human umbilical vein endothelial cells [HUVECs] and bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells [BPAECs]) and microvascular cells (human microvascular endothelial cell line [HMEC-1]). Thrombin (4 U/mL) stimulated maximal induction of ET-1 peptide secretion and preproET-1 mRNA after 2 hours in HUVECs and BPAECs and after 1 hour in HMEC-1. A synthetic thrombin receptor activator peptide confirmed ligand-specific receptor actions to induce preproET-1 mRNA. Protein kinase C (PKC) activation by phorbol ester transiently induced preproET-1 mRNA but had no effect on ET-1 peptide synthesis. PKC inhibitors sangivamycin and calphostin C and PKC depletion failed to suppress thrombin-stimulated preproET-1 mRNA. Adenylate cyclase and cAMP-dependent protein kinase did not participate in thrombin-induced preproET-1 gene activation. Thrombin stimulated a rapid increase in phosphotyrosine-containing proteins, suggesting a role for tyrosine phosphorylation in thrombin signaling. These data demonstrate that thrombin induces the preproET-1 gene and ET-1 peptide synthesis by a PKC-independent PTK-dependent pathway in macrovascular and microvascular endothelial cells. Protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors herbimycin A and genistein blocked thrombin-stimulated preproET-1 mRNA and peptide secretion, whereas daidzein, which lacks inhibitory activity, did not suppress thrombin-induced ET-1.

Nitric oxide and endothelin in pathophysiological settings

The role of the endothelium is now known to encompass the generation of many potent cytokines which impact endothelial cells, adjacent tissue such as smooth muscle cells, and distant sites in an autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine manner, respectively. This review addresses two of these cytokines, nitric oxide and endothelin, and describes how each effects the functions of endothelial cells, including regulation of platelet aggregation and coagulation, regulation of vasomotor tone, modulation of inflammation, and the regulation of cellular proliferation. The emphasis is on the increasingly recognized importance of the autocrine and paracrine mechanisms by which nitric oxide and endothelin act. In particular, autoinduction of endothelin is proposed as a central mechanism underlying endothelin's renowned effects. Additionally, specific nitric oxide/endothelin interactions are discussed by which each cytokine modulates the production and actions of the other. The net effect observed in a variety of physiological and pathophysiological settings, therefore, reflects a balance of these opposing functions.

Characterization and functional analysis of the rat endothelin-1 promoter

To define the molecular mechanisms of endothelin-1 (ET-1) gene regulation, we cloned, sequenced, and characterized the rat ET-1 promoter. A sequence consisting of the first 1329 bp of the rat ET-1 promoter was investigated in greater detail. Sequence analysis identified putative binding sites for a number of transcriptional factors that may be involved in ET-1 gene regulation. Several of these factors have been proposed earlier to be involved in cell-specific gene regulation and may be responsible for directing ET-1 expression in vivo. For functional analysis of the ET-1 promoter, we generated a reporter gene construct using luciferase as reporter gene under control of the promoter fragment isolated. The construct was transfected transiently into bovine aortic endothelial cells, and luciferase expression was evaluated. The results indicated that the promoter segment used showed high expression in endothelial cells comparable to that induced by viral promoters. Since ET-1 is regulated by a number of vasoactive substances, we studied the effect of angiotensin II on endothelin transcription. We could demonstrate a dose-dependent transcriptional activation of ET-1 transcription by angiotensin.

Endothelin receptor subtype B mediates autoinduction of endothelin-1 in rat mesangial cells

Autoinduction of endothelin-1 (ET-1) has been suggested to be involved in the profound and long-lasting effects of ET-1. We examined mechanisms that underlie autoinduction of ET-1 in cultured rat glomerular mesangial cells. Incubation of mesangial cells with ET-1 resulted in an immediate and dose-dependent stimulation of preproET-1 mRNA expression as assessed by polymerase chain reaction coupled with reverse transcription. Within 1 h of exposure to ET-1 (10(-7) M), preproET-1 mRNA expression was increased to a maximal level of 465 +/- 43% of the control value (p < 0.01), which was accompanied by significant stimulation of production of the immunoreactive ET-1 peptide. Nuclear run-off analysis revealed increases in the transcriptional rate of preproET-1 mRNA to 239 and 175% above the control values at 1 and 3 h of ET-1 stimulation, respectively. ET-1 also increased the stability of preproET-1 mRNA, resulting in an mRNA half-life of 60 min from 20 min seen in non-stimulated cells. Addition of an ETB-specific antagonist, RES701-1, at > 10(-9) M abolished ET-1 stimulation of preproET-1 mRNA (p < 0.001), whereas an ETA-specific antagonist, BQ123, was without effects (up to 10(-5) M). The ETB agonist, sarafotoxin S6c (10(-7) M), significantly stimulated preproET-1 mRNA expression to 201 +/- 14% above controls (p < 0.01), and effect that was lessened significantly by RES701-1 (p < 0.05). RES701-1 abolished the ET-1-induced production of the ET-1 peptide (p < 0.001). Taken together, we demonstrates that in mesangial cells, autoinduction of ET-1 occurs through the ETB receptor subtype via increases in both preproET-1 transcription and mRNA stability.

Endothelin-1 in pulmonary hypertension associated with high-altitude exposure

BACKGROUND

Endothelin-1 is involved in chronic pulmonary hypertension. Its role in acute pulmonary hypertension due to hypoxia in humans is not clear. We therefore studied the influence of hypoxia caused by exposure to high altitude on plasma endothelin-1 levels, arterial blood gases, and pulmonary arterial pressure in subjects taking nifedipine or placebo.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Twenty-two healthy volunteers were investigated at low altitude (490 m) and high altitude (4559 m). Arterial blood gases were analyzed immediately, endothelin-1 was measured by radioimmunoassay, and pulmonary artery pressure was assessed by Doppler echocardiography. After baseline investigations, the mountaineers were allocated in a randomized double-blind fashion to receive either placebo or nifedipine (20 mg TID) during rapid ascent to high altitude within 22 hours. Tests were repeated at the high-altitude research laboratories located in the Capanna "Regina Margherita" (Italy, 4559 m). Plasma endothelin-1 was increased twofold at high altitude (5.9 +/- 2.2 pg/mL compared with 2.9 +/- 1.1 pg/mL, P < .05), was inversely related to arterial PO2 (r = -.46, P < .001), and correlated with pulmonary artery pressure (r = .52, P < .002). At high altitude, arterial endothelin-1 was lower (4.3 +/- 1.6 pg/mL) than venous endothelin-1 (5.9 +/= 2.2 pg/mL, P < .001), indicating either predominant production in the venous vasculature or pronounced clearance in the pulmonary circulation. The calcium antagonist nifedipine, which lowered pulmonary artery pressure at high altitude (32 +/- 5 versus 42 +/- 11 mm Hg, P < .05), had no influence on plasma endothelin-1 levels. The administration of 35% O2 at high altitude normalized arterial PO2, tended to decrease endothelin-1, and decreased pulmonary artery pressure accordingly.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that plasma endothelin-1 is increased at high altitude, but whether or not it represents an important pathogenetic factor for pulmonary hypertension remains to be investigated.

Endothelin receptor antagonism

Following the original report by Yanagisawa et al. (1988) more than 7 years ago, compelling evidence that ET plays an important role in the local regulation of smooth muscle tone and cell growth has been reported. In addition, many studies point to a significant role for endothelin in nonvascular function. The investigation of the endothelin system has been greatly advanced in the last 2 to 3 years through significant advances in the development of potent and selective ET receptor antagonists. These agents have proven to be essential tools for elucidating the biological significance of the ET system, leading to the realization that antagonism of the ET system may have significant therapeutic potential. As emphasized in this review, the importance of chronic blockade of the ET system may be a critical aspect of future research in this exciting area. Confounding issues remain the lack of information about the role of the ETB receptor, the apparent pharmacological evidence for additional ET receptor subtypes, and species variation in the tissue distribution of ET isoforms and receptor subtypes. Along with the greater ability to understand the endothelin system provided by potent and selective pharmacological agents, is the important contribution of modern molecular biology techniques, highlighted by the insights gained from recent reports of results from ET gene disruption studies. Kurihara et al. (1994) found that ET-1-deficient homozygous mice die at birth of apparent respiratory failure secondary to severe craniofacial abnormalities. Subsequently, Yanagisawa's laboratory has presented and published a series of complementary gene disruption studies. First, Hosoda et al. (1994) demonstrated remarkably, that ETA receptor knockout mice bear morphological abnormalities nearly identical to ET-1 knockout mice. Second, they found that disruption of the ET-3 peptide and ETB receptor genes result in homozygous mice that share identical phenotypic traits (i.e., coloration changes and aganglionic megacolon) which are similar to a previously known natural mutation, the Piebald-Lethal mouse (Hosoda et al., 1994; Baynash et al., 1994). This phenotype has a human corollary known as Hirschsprung's Disease and it is now known that the disease, though multigenic, results from a missense mutation of the ETB receptor gene in some individuals (Puffenberger et al., 1994). Taken together these data indicate that the endothelin system is essential to correct embryonic neural crest development, a completely novel finding within the superfamily of guanine-protein-linked receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Role of Ca2+ and protein kinase C in shear stress-induced actin depolymerization and endothelin 1 gene expression

Vascular endothelial cells adapt to changes in blood flow by altering the cell architecture and by producing various substances. We have previously reported that low shear stress induces endothelin 1 (ET-1) expression in endothelial cells and that this induction is mediated by depolymerization of actin fiber. In the present study, we examined the role of Ca2+ and protein kinase C (PKC) in shear stress-induced actin depolymerization and subsequent ET-1 gene expression. Exposure of cultured porcine aortic endothelial cells to low shear stress (5 dyne/cm2) for 3 hours increased the ratio of G-actin to total actin from 54 +/- 0.8% to 80 +/- 1.0%. This shear stress-induced actin depolymerization was completely blocked by chelation of extracellular Ca2+ with EGTA and partially inhibited by intracellular Ca2+ chelation with the tetraacetoxymethyl ester of BAPTA (BAPTA/AM). Pretreatment with staurosporine, a PKC inhibitor, or desensitization of PKC by treatment with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) for 24 hours also resulted in partial inhibition of shear stress-induced actin depolymerization. Although PKC activation by TPA mildly increased G-actin content, the effect of TPA and shear stress on actin depolymerization was not additive. Moreover, shear stress-induced ET-1 gene expression was inhibited by EGTA, BAPTA/AM, and staurosporine to a degree similar to the inhibition of actin depolymerization. In contrast, ET-1 gene expression induced by cytochalasin B, an actin-disrupting agent, was not affected by staurosporine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Shear stress inhibits adhesion of cultured mouse endothelial cells to lymphocytes by downregulating VCAM-1 expression

Monolayers of endothelial cells (EC) cultured from mouse lymph nodes were exposed to controlled levels of shear stress (0-7.1 dyn/cm2) in a parallel plate flow chamber, and binding between the flow-loaded EC and mouse lymph node-derived lymphocytes was assayed. A large number of lymphocytes adhered to the stationary control EC, but in EC exposed to a shear stress of 1.5 dyn/cm2 for 6 h, the adhesion decreased to 68.8 +/- 12.8% (SD; n = 19) of control (n = 29, P < 0.001). The decrease in adhesion induced by flow loading was time and shear stress dependent and reversible. Treatment of stationary EC with a monoclonal antibody (MAb) to vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) reduced the adhesion to 70.6 +/- 11.5% (n = 19) of control (P < 0.001), whereas MAb to CD44 and to intercellular adhesion molecule-1 had no effect on it. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that the amount of VCAM-1 expressed on the cell surface was decreased to 48.5 +/- 15.8% (n = 6) of control by flow loading (P < 0.001). Flow loading experiments using two perfusates with different viscosities demonstrated that the decrease in VCAM-1 expression due to flow was shear stress rather than shear rate dependent. The detection of mRNA by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction showed that VCAM-1 mRNA levels were markedly depressed in EC exposed to flow loading.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Shear stress selectively upregulates intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression in cultured human vascular endothelial cells

Hemodynamic forces induce various functional changes in vascular endothelium, many of which reflect alterations in gene expression. We have recently identified a cis-acting transcriptional regulatory element, the shear stress response element (SSRE), present in the promoters of several genes, that may represent a common pathway by which biomechanical forces influence gene expression. In this study, we have examined the effect of shear stress on endothelial expression of three adhesion molecules: intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), which contains the SSRE in its promoter, and E-selectin (ELAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), both of which lack the SSRE. Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells, subjected to a physiologically relevant range of laminar shear stresses (2.5-46 dyn/cm2) in a cone and plate apparatus for up to 48 h, showed time-dependent but force-independent increases in surface immunoreactive ICAM-1. Upregulated ICAM-1 expression was correlated with increased adhesion of the JY lymphocytic cell line. Northern blot analysis revealed increased ICAM-1 transcript as early as 2 h after the onset of shear stress. In contrast, E-selectin and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 transcript and cell-surface protein were not upregulated at any time point examined. This selective regulation of adhesion molecule expression in vascular endothelium suggests that biomechanical forces, in addition to humoral stimuli, may contribute to differential endothelial gene expression and thus represent pathophysiologically relevant stimuli in inflammation and atherosclerosis.

Stress relaxation of fibroblasts activates a cyclic AMP signaling pathway

Mechanical force regulates gene expression and cell proliferation in a variety of cell types, but the mechanotransducers and signaling mechanisms involved are highly speculative. We studied the fibroblast signaling mechanism that is activated when cells are switched from mechanically stressed to mechanically relaxed conditions, i.e., stress relaxation. Within 10 min after initiation of stress relaxation, we observed a transient 10-20-fold increase in cytoplasmic cyclic AMP (cAMP) and a threefold increase in protein kinase A activity. The increase in cAMP depended on stimulation of adenylyl cyclase rather than inhibition of phosphodiesterase. Generation of cAMP was inhibited by indomethacin, and release of arachidonic acid was found to be an upstream step of the pathway. Activation of signaling also depended on influx of extracellular Ca2+ because addition of EGTA to the incubations at concentrations just sufficient to exceed Ca2+ in the medium inhibited the stress relaxation-dependent increase in free arachidonic acid and cAMP. This inhibition was overcome by adding CaCl2 to the medium. On the other hand, treating fibroblasts in mechanically stressed cultures with the calcium ionophore A23187-stimulated arachidonic acid and cAMP production even without stress relaxation. In summary, our results show that fibroblast stress relaxation results in activation of a Ca(2+)-dependent, adenylyl cyclase signaling pathway. Overall, the effect of stress relaxation on cAMP and PKA levels was equivalent to that observed after treatment of cells with forskolin.

Endothelin mobilizes calcium and enhances glucose uptake in cultured human skeletal myoblasts and L6 myotubes

In this study we used endothelin as a paradigm to explore the concept that some vasoactive agents, acting through mobilization of Ca2+ and stimulation of protein kinase C, can interact with human skeletal muscle and modify its glucose transport. Cultured human skeletal myoblasts from the vastus lateralis demonstrated two subclasses of high-affinity endothelin receptors and a robust increase in cytosolic free Ca2+ upon exposure to endothelin. The endothelin-evoked rise in cytosolic free Ca2+ primarily resulted from Ca2+ mobilization from intracellular organelles. Both endothelin and insulin enhanced [3H]deoxy-D-glucose uptake in human myoblasts, but their effects were not additive. These findings also were observed in differentiated myotubes of L6 skeletal muscle cells. Moreover, [3H]deoxy-D-glucose uptake in human myoblasts was enhanced by treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. The endothelin- and insulin-mediated increases in [3H]deoxy-D-glucose were totally ablated by treatment with calphostin C. Such observations suggest that endothelin can enhance glucose uptake in human skeletal muscle. This is mediated through mechanisms that are at least partially protein kinase C dependent. Thus, increased levels of endothelin in vascular beds may contribute to altered glucose metabolism in essential hypertension.

Endothelial expression of thrombomodulin is reversibly regulated by fluid shear stress

The vascular endothelium, by virtue of its position at the interface between blood and the vessel wall, is known to play a critical role in the control of thrombosis and fibrinolysis. Thrombomodulin (TM) is a surface receptor that binds thrombin and is a potent activator of the protein C anticoagulant pathway. Although TM expression is known to be regulated by various cytokines, little is known about its response to ever-present biomechanical stimuli. We have explored the role of fluid shear stress, imparted on the luminal surface of the endothelial cell as a result of blood flow, on the expression of TM mRNA and protein in both bovine aortic endothelial (BAE) and bovine smooth muscle (BSM) cells in an in vitro system. We report in the present study that TM expression is regulated by flow. Subjecting BAE cells to fluid shear stress in the physiological range of magnitude of 15 (moderate shear stress) and 36 (elevated shear stress) dynes/cm2 resulted in a mild transient increase followed by a significant decrease in TM mRNA to 37% and 16% of its resting level, respectively, by 9 hours after the onset of flow. In contrast, shear stress at the low magnitude of 4 dynes/cm2 did not affect TM mRNA levels. The sensitivity of TM mRNA expression by flow was found to be specific to endothelium, since it was not observed in BSM cells exposed to steady laminar shear stress of 15 dynes/cm2. Furthermore, unlike BAE cells, BSM cells did not exhibit altered cell shape nor align in the direction of flow after 24 hours of shear stress at 15 dynes/cm2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Shear-dependence of endothelial functions

Endothelial cells are subjected to shear forces which influence important cell functions. Shear stress induces cell elongation and formation of stress fibers, increases permeability, pinocytosis and lipoprotein internalization, is involved in the formation of atherosclerotic lesions, increases the production of tissue plasminogen activator, and enhances von Willebrand factor release and hence platelet aggregation. It decreases adherence of erythrocytes and leukocytes, and increases the release of prostacyclin, endothelium derived relaxing factor, histamine and other compounds, but decreases erythropoietin secretion. The mechanism of signal transduction to the endothelial cell is not known exactly; shear-sensitive ion channels seem to be involved. It is concluded that a better understanding of shear-dependent endothelial functions will influence pathophysiologic concepts and therapeutic interventions.

Fluid shear stress differentially modulates expression of genes encoding basic fibroblast growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor B chain in vascular endothelium

Fluid shear stress has been shown to be an important regulator of vascular structure and function through its effect on the endothelial cell. We have explored the effect of shear stress on the expression of the heparin-binding growth factors platelet-derived growth factor B chain (PDGF-B) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in bovine aortic endothelial cells using a purpose-built cone-plate viscometer. Using morphometric analysis, we have mimicked the endothelial cell shape changes encountered in vivo in response to shear stress and correlated these with changes in gene expression. Steady laminar shear stress of 15 and 36 dyn/cm2 both resulted in endothelial cell shape change, but the higher shear stress induced greater and more uniform alignment in the direction of flow and nuclear protrusion after 24 h. Steady laminar shear stress of both 15 and 36 dyn/cm2 induced a significant 3.9- and 4.2-fold decrease, respectively, in PDGF-B mRNA at 9 h. In contrast, steady laminar shear of 15 dyn/cm2 induced a mild and transient 1.5-fold increase in bFGF mRNA while shear of 36 dyn/cm2 induced a significant 4.8-fold increase at 6 h of shear which remained at 2.9-fold at 9 h. Pulsatile and turbulent shear stress showed the same effect as steady laminar shear stress (all at 15 dyn/cm2 time-average magnitude) on PDGF-B and bFGF mRNA content. Cyclic stretch (20% strain, 20/min) of cells grown on silicone substrate did not significantly affect either PDGF-B or bFGF mRNA levels. These results suggest that expression of each peptide growth factor gene is differentially regulated by fluid shear stress in the vascular endothelial cell. These results may have implications on vascular structure and function in response to hemodynamic forces and present a model for the study of transduction of mechanical stimuli into altered gene expression.