Modulation of GTPase activity of G proteins by fluid shear stress and phospholipid composition

Vascular endothelial wound closure under shear stress: role of membrane fluidity and flow-sensitive ion channels

Sufficiently rapid healing of vascular endothelium following injury is essential for preventing further pathological complications. Recent work suggests that fluid dynamic shear stress regulates endothelial cell (EC) wound closure. Changes in membrane fluidity and activation of flow-sensitive ion channels are among the most rapid endothelial responses to flow and are thought to play an important role in EC responsiveness to shear stress. The goal of the present study was to probe the role of these responses in bovine aortic EC (BAEC) wound closure under shear stress. BAEC monolayers were mechanically wounded and subsequently subjected to either "high" (19 dyn/cm(2)) or "low" (3 dyn/cm(2)) levels of steady shear stress. Image analysis was used to quantify cell migration and spreading under both flow and static control conditions. Our results demonstrate that, under static conditions, BAECs along both wound edges migrate at similar velocities to cover the wounded area. Low shear stress leads to significantly lower BAEC migration velocities, whereas high shear stress results in cells along the upstream edge of the wound migrating significantly more rapidly than those downstream. The data also show that reducing BAEC membrane fluidity by enriching the cell membrane with exogenous cholesterol significantly slows down both cell spreading and migration under flow and hence retards wound closure. Blocking flow-sensitive K and Cl channels reduces cell spreading under flow but has no impact on cell migration. These findings provide evidence that membrane fluidity and flow-sensitive ion channels play distinct roles in regulating EC wound closure under flow.

Characterization of the Nuclear Deformation Caused by Changes in Endothelial Cell Shape

We investigated the mechanotransduction pathway in endothelial cells between their nucleus and adhesions to the extracellular matrix. First, we measured nuclear deformations in response to alterations of cell shape as cells detach from a flat surface. We found that the nuclear deformation appeared to be in direct and immediate response to alterations of the cell adhesion area. The nucleus was then treated as a neo-Hookean compressible material, and we estimated the stress associated with the cytoskeleton and acting on the nucleus during cell rounding. With the obtained stress field, we estimated the magnitude of the forces deforming the nucleus. Considering the initial and final components of this adhesion-cytoskeleton-nucleus force transmission pathway, we found our estimate for the internal forces acting on the nucleus to be on the same order of magnitude as previously measured traction forces, suggesting a direct mechanical link between adhesions and the nucleus.

Membrane fluidity and its roles in the perception of environmental signals

Poikilothermic organisms are exposed to frequent changes in environmental conditions and their survival depends on their ability to acclimate to such changes. Changes in ambient temperature and osmolarity cause fluctuations in the fluidity of cell membranes. Such fluctuations are considered to be critical to the initiation of the regulatory reactions that ultimately lead to acclimation. The mechanisms responsible for the perception of changes in membrane fluidity have not been fully characterized. However, the analysis of genome-wide gene expression using DNA microarrays has provided a powerful new approach to studies of the contribution of membrane fluidity to gene expression and to the identification of environmental sensors. In this review, we focus on the mechanisms that regulate membrane fluidity, on putative sensors that perceive changes in membrane fluidity, and on the subsequent expression of genes that ensures acclimation to a new set of environmental conditions.

Hyperforin modifies neuronal membrane properties in vivo

Hyperforin, the major active constituent of St. John Wort (SJW) extract, affects several neurotransmitter systems in the brain putatively by modulation of the physical state of neuronal membranes. Accordingly, we tested the effects of SJW extract and of hyperforin on the properties of murine brain membrane fluidity. Oral administration of SJW extract and of hyperforin sodium salt results in significant hyperforin brain levels. Treatment of mice with hyperforin leads to decreased annular- and bulk fluidity and increased acyl-chain flexibility of brain membranes. All hyperforin related changes of membrane properties were significantly correlated with the corresponding hyperforin brain levels. Our data emphasises a membrane interaction of hyperforin that possibly contributes to its pharmacological effects.

Signal transduction and mechanical stress

Bone undergoes a constant process of remodeling in which mass is retained or lost in response to the relative activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Weight-bearing exercise-which is critical for retaining skeletal integrity-promotes osteoblast function, whereas a lack of mechanical stimulation, as seen during spaceflight or prolonged bed rest, can lead to osteoporosis. Thus, understanding mechanotransduction at the cellular level is key to understanding basic bone biology and devising new treatments for osteoporosis. Various mechanical stimuli have been studied as in vitro model systems and have been shown to act through numerous signaling pathways to promote osteoblast activity. Here, we examine the various types of stress and the sequential response of transduction pathways that result in changes in gene expression and the ensuing proliferation of osteoblasts.

Membrane depolarization and NADPH oxidase activation in aortic endothelium during ischemia reflect altered mechanotransduction

We previously showed that "ischemia" (abrupt cessation of flow) leads to rapid membrane depolarization and increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in lung microvascular endothelial cells. This response is not associated with anoxia but, rather, reflects loss of normal shear stress. This study evaluated whether a similar response occurs in aortic endothelium. Plasma membrane potential and production of ROS were determined by fluorescence microscopy and cytochrome c reduction in flow-adapted rat or mouse aorta or monolayer cultures of rat aortic endothelial cells. Within 30 s after flow cessation, endothelial cells that had been flow adapted showed plasma membrane depolarization that was inhibited by pretreatment with cromakalim, an ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channel agonist. Flow cessation also led to ROS generation, which was inhibited by cromakalim and the flavoprotein inhibitor diphenyleneiodonium. Aortic endothelium from mice with "knockout" of the K(ATP) channel (K(IR)6.2) showed a markedly attenuated change in membrane potential and ROS generation with flow cessation. In aortic endothelium from mice with knockout of NADPH oxidase (gp91(phox)), membrane depolarization was similar to that in wild-type mice but ROS generation was absent. Thus rat and mouse aortic endothelial cells respond to abrupt flow cessation by K(ATP) channel-mediated membrane depolarization followed by NADPH oxidase-mediated ROS generation, possibly representing a cell-signaling response to altered mechanotransduction.

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 and -2 are both essential for the shear stress-induced human osteoblast proliferation

Extracellular signal-regulated kinases (Erk)-1 and -2 are key mediators of various mitogenic signaling pathways, including mechanical stress-induced osteoblast proliferation. Mechanical stimuli, such as flow shear stress, simultaneously activate both Erk-1 and -2 in osteoblasts, resulting in stimulation of osteoblast proliferation. This study sought to test whether Erk-1, -2, or both are essential for the fluid flow shear stress-induced osteoblast proliferation. Moloney leukemia virus (MLV)-based vectors expressing wild-type (wt)- or kinase-deficient (kd) Erk-1 and Erk-2, respectively, were constructed and used to transduce human TE85 osteosarcoma cells with an MOI of 30. An MLV-red fluorescent protein (RFP) vector was included as a control. Effects of Erk-1 and -2 overexpression on cell proliferation in response to a 30-min constant fluid flow shear stress at 20 dynes/cm2 were determined with [3H]thymidine incorporation 24 h after the shear stress. The MLV-Erk vector-transduced TE85 cells showed a >10- and approximately 2-fold overexpression of Erk-1 and -2 protein, respectively. The RFP expressing control cells and the parental TE85 cells each showed an approximately twofold increase (P < 0.01) in [3H]thymidine incorporation in response to the shear stress. Cells overexpressing wt-Erk-1 or -2 showed small enhancing effects on the response to the shear stress in the increases in [3H]thymidine incorporation and cell number. Conversely, overexpression of kd-Erk-1 or -2 each alone completely abolished the shear stress-induced osteoblast proliferation. Overexpression of either kd-Erk-1 or kd-Erk-2 alone did not have a significant effect on basal osteoblast proliferation, suggesting that the Erk signaling pathway may not be essential for basal cell proliferation. In summary, this study demonstrates for the first time that Erk-1 and -2 are both required for the mitogenic response to fluid flow shear stress in human osteoblasts and that blocking Erk-1 or -2 each alone is sufficient to completely block the mitogenic response to shear stress-induced proliferation.

PECAM-1 interacts with nitric oxide synthase in human endothelial cells: implication for flow-induced nitric oxide synthase activation

OBJECTIVE

We have previously shown that fluid shear stress (FSS) triggers endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity in endothelial cells and that the mechanotransduction mechanisms responsible for activation discriminate between rapid changes in FSS and FSS per se. We hypothesized that the particular sublocalization of eNOS at the cell-cell junction would render it responsive to activation by FSS temporal gradients.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), immunofluorescence revealed strong eNOS membrane staining at the cell-cell junction colocalizing with platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1). In PECAM-1-/- mouse aorta, eNOS junctional localization seen in the wild type was absent. Similarly, junctional staining was lost in wild-type aorta near intercostal artery branches. eNOS/PECAM-1 association in HUVECs was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation. When HUVECs were subjected to a 0.5s impulse of 12 dynes/cm2, a transient disruption of the eNOS/PECAM-1 complex was observed, accompanied by an increase in eNOS activity (cGMP production). Ramped flow did not trigger complex dissociation or an increase in cGMP production. In a cell-free system, a direct inhibition of eNOS activity by PECAM-1 is shown.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that eNOS is complexed with PECAM-1 at the cell-cell junction and is likely involved in the modulation of eNOS activity by FSS temporal gradients but not by FSS itself.

Bilayer-dependent inhibition of mechanosensitive channels by neuroactive peptide enantiomers

The peptide GsMTx4, isolated from the venom of the tarantula Grammostola spatulata, is a selective inhibitor of stretch-activated cation channels (SACs). The mechanism of inhibition remains unknown; but both GsMTx4 and its enantiomer, enGsMTx4, modify the gating of SACs, thus violating a trademark of the traditional lock-and-key model of ligand-protein interactions. Suspecting a bilayer-dependent mechanism, we examined the effect of GsMTx4 and enGsMTx4 on gramicidin A (gA) channel gating. Both peptides are active, and the effect increases with the degree of hydrophobic mismatch between bilayer thickness and channel length, meaning that GsMTx4 decreases the energy required to deform the boundary lipids adjacent to the channel. GsMTx4 decreases inward SAC single-channel currents but has no effect on outward currents, suggesting it is located within a Debye length of the outer vestibule of the SACs, but significantly farther from the inner vestibule. Likewise, GsMTx4 decreases gA single-channel currents. Our results suggest that modulation of membrane proteins by amphipathic peptides--mechanopharmacology--involves not only the protein itself but also the surrounding lipids. The surprising efficacy of the d form of GsMTx4 peptide has important therapeutic implications, because d peptides are not hydrolysed by endogenous proteases and may be administered orally.

Cholesterol modulates ligand binding and G-protein coupling to serotonin(1A) receptors from bovine hippocampus

The serotonin(1A) (5-HT(1A)) receptor is an important member of the superfamily of seven-transmembrane domain G-protein-coupled receptors. We have examined the modulatory role of cholesterol on the ligand binding activity and G-protein coupling of the bovine hippocampal 5-HT(1A) receptor by depleting cholesterol from native membranes using methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MbetaCD). Removal of cholesterol from bovine hippocampal membranes using varying concentrations of MbetaCD results in a concentration-dependent reduction in specific binding of the agonist 8-OH-DPAT to 5-HT(1A) receptors. This is accompanied by alterations in binding affinity and sites obtained from analysis of binding data. Importantly, cholesterol depletion affected G-protein-coupling of the receptor as monitored by the GTP-gamma-S assay. The concomitant changes in membrane order were reported by changes in fluorescence polarization of membrane probes such as DPH and TMA-DPH, which are incorporated at different locations (depths) in the membrane. Replenishment of membranes with cholesterol led to recovery of ligand binding activity as well as membrane order to a considerable extent. Our results provide evidence, for the first time, that cholesterol is necessary for ligand binding and G-protein coupling of this important neurotransmitter receptor. These results could have significant implications in understanding the influence of the membrane lipid environment on the activity and signal transduction of other G-protein-coupled transmembrane receptors.

A shear-restricted pathway of platelet procoagulant activity is regulated by IQGAP1

Circulating blood platelets regulate the initial phase of the hemostatic response through adhesive and aggregatory events and by providing the necessary procoagulant surface for prothrombinase complex assembly and thrombin generation. The signaling pathway(s) that regulate platelet procoagulant activity are largely unknown, although they are distinct from platelet aggregatory signals linked to fibrinogen ligation to the conformationally active alpha(IIB)beta(3) integrin. We describe a novel intracellular signaling mechanism involving platelet IQGAP1 that specifically regulates the development of platelet procoagulant activity under conditions of mechanical shear stress. Murine platelets that are deficient in IQGAP1 demonstrate increased prothrombinase activity compared with wild-type littermate controls when activated by a physiological shear stress of 16 dynes/cm(2) (shear rates of 1600 s(-1)) (p < 0.0001), corresponding to approximately 2.5 times the normal shear stress, or approximately 40% degree of stenosis in coronary arteries. The exaggerated prothrombinase activity is not associated with enhanced platelet microvesiculation (cytoskeletal proteolysis) and occurs independently of the intracellular calcium release, [Ca(2+)](i), but it is specifically coupled to the alpha-granule exocytic pathway without concomitant effects on aminophospholipid exposure. These observations identify platelet IQGAP1 as an important modulator of normal hemostasis and as an appropriate pharmacological target for control of platelet procoagulant function.

Fluid shear stress induction of COX-2 protein and prostaglandin release in cultured MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts does not require intact microfilaments or microtubules

Cultured osteoblasts express three major types of cytoskeleton: actin microfilaments, microtubules, and intermediate filaments. The cytoskeletal network is thought to play an important role in the transmission and conversion of a mechanical stimulus into a biochemical response. To examine a role for the three different cytoskeletal networks in fluid shear stress-induced signaling in osteoblasts, we individually disrupted actin microfilaments, micro-tubules, and intermediate filaments in MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts with multiple pharmacological agents. We subjected these cells to 90 min of laminar fluid shear stress (10 dyn/cm(2)) and compared the PGE(2) and PGI(2) release and induction of cyclooxygenase-2 protein to control cells with intact cytoskeletons. Disruption of actin microfilaments, microtubules, or intermediate filaments in MC3T3-E1 cells did not prevent a significant fluid shear stress-induced release of PGE(2) or PGI(2). Furthermore, disruption of actin microfilaments or microtubules did not prevent a significant fluid shear stress-induced increase in cyclooxygenase-2 protein levels. Disruption of intermediate filaments with acrylamide did prevent the fluid shear stress-induced increase in cyclooxygenase-2 but also prevented a PGE(2)-induced increase in cyclooxygenase-2. Thus none of the three major cytoskeletal networks are required for fluid shear stress-induced prostaglandin release. Furthermore, although neither actin microfilaments nor microtubules are required for fluid shear stress-induced increase in cyclooxygenase-2 levels, the role of intermediate filaments in regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 expression is less clear.

Heterotrimeric G protein Gi is involved in a signal transduction pathway for ATP release from erythrocytes

Erythrocytes are reported to release ATP in response to mechanical deformation and decreased oxygen tension. Previously we proposed that receptor-mediated activation of the heterotrimeric G protein G(s) resulted in ATP release from erythrocytes. Here we investigate the hypothesis that activation of heterotrimeric G proteins of the G(i) subtype are also involved in a signal transduction pathway for ATP release from rabbit erythrocytes. Heterotrimeric G proteins G(alphai1), G(alphai2), and G(alphai3) but not G(alphao) were identified in rabbit and human erythrocyte membranes. Pretreatment of rabbit erythrocytes with pertussis toxin (100 ng/ml, 2 h), which uncouples G(i/o) from their effector proteins, inhibited deformation-induced ATP release. Incubation of rabbit and human erythrocytes with mastoparan (Mas, 10 microM) or Mas-7 (1 microM), which are compounds that directly activate G(i) proteins, resulted in ATP release. However, rabbit erythrocytes did not release ATP when incubated with Mas-17 (10 microM), which is an inactive Mas analog. In separate experiments, Mas (10 microM) but not Mas-17 (10 microM) increased intracellular concentrations of cAMP when incubated with rabbit erythrocytes. Importantly, Mas-induced ATP release from rabbit erythrocytes was inhibited after treatment with pertussis toxin (100 ng/ml, 2 h). These data are consistent with the hypothesis that the heterotrimeric G protein G(i) is a component of a signal transduction pathway for ATP release from erythrocytes.

Intracellular stress tomography reveals stress focusing and structural anisotropy in cytoskeleton of living cells

We describe a novel synchronous detection approach to map the transmission of mechanical stresses within the cytoplasm of an adherent cell. Using fluorescent protein-labeled mitochondria or cytoskeletal components as fiducial markers, we measured displacements and computed stresses in the cytoskeleton of a living cell plated on extracellular matrix molecules that arise in response to a small, external localized oscillatory load applied to transmembrane receptors on the apical cell surface. Induced synchronous displacements, stresses, and phase lags were found to be concentrated at sites quite remote from the localized load and were modulated by the preexisting tensile stress (prestress) in the cytoskeleton. Stresses applied at the apical surface also resulted in displacements of focal adhesion sites at the cell base. Cytoskeletal anisotropy was revealed by differential phase lags in X vs. Y directions. Displacements and stresses in the cytoskeleton of a cell plated on poly-L-lysine decayed quickly and were not concentrated at remote sites. These data indicate that mechanical forces are transferred across discrete cytoskeletal elements over long distances through the cytoplasm in the living adherent cell.

Pertussis toxin-sensitive Gαi protein and ERK-dependent pathways mediate ultrasound promotion of osteogenic transcription in human osteoblasts1

Bone cells respond to mechanical stimulation via mechanoreceptors and convert biophysical stimulation into biochemical signals that alter gene expression and cellular adaptation. Pulsed acoustic energy treatment raises membrane potential and induces osteogenic activity. How membrane-bound osteoblast mechanoreceptors convert physical ultrasound (US) stimuli into osteogenic responses is not fully understood. We demonstrated that low-intensity pulsed US treatment (200-micros pulse, 1 kHz, 30 mW/cm2) elevated Cbfa1/Runx2 mRNA expression and progressively promoted osteocalcin mRNA expression in human osteoblasts. Pretreatment with pertussis toxin (PTX), but not with cholera toxin, suppressed US-augmented osteogenic transcription. This indicated that Gi proteins, but not Gs proteins, were involved in US promotion of osteogenic transcription. Further studies demonstrated US treatment could rapidly increase PTX-sensitive Galphai protein levels and subsequently enhanced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). PTX pretreatment significantly reduced US promotion of ERK activation. Moreover, inhibition of ERK activity by PD98059 suppressed US augmentation of Cbfa1/Runx2 and osteocalcin mRNA expression. Membranous Galphai proteins and cytosolic ERK pathways acted as potent mechanosensitive signals in the response of osteoblasts to pulsed US stimulation.

Shear stress increases expression of a KATP channel in rat and bovine pulmonary vascular endothelial cells

We have shown previously that acute ischemia leads to depolarization of pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells that is prevented with cromakalim, suggesting the presence of ATP-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels in these cells. Thus KATP channel expression and activity were evaluated in rat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (RPMVEC) by whole cell current measurements, dot blot (mRNA), and immunoblot (protein) for the inwardly rectifying K+ channel (KIR) 6.2 subunit and fluorescent ligand binding for the sulfonylurea receptor (SUR). Low-level expression of a KATP channel was detected in endothelial cells in routine (static) culture and led us to examine whether its expression is inducible when endothelial cells are adapted to flow. Channel expression (mRNA and both KIR6.2 and SUR proteins) and inwardly rectified membrane current by patch clamp increased significantly when RPMVEC were adapted to flow at 10 dyn/cm2 for 24 h in either a parallel plate flow chamber or an artificial capillary system. Induction of the KATP channel with flow adaptation was also observed in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells. Flow-adapted but not static RPMVEC showed cellular plasma membrane depolarization upon stop of flow that was inhibited by a KATP channel opener and prevented by addition of cycloheximide to the medium during the flow adaptation period. These studies indicate the induction of KATP channels by flow adaptation in pulmonary endothelium and that the expression and activity of this channel are essential for the endothelial cell membrane depolarization response with acute decrease in shear stress.

Effects of unsaturated fatty acids and triacylglycerols on phosphatidylethanolamine membrane structure

Lipid intake in diet regulates the membrane lipid composition, which in turn controls activities of membrane proteins. There is evidence that fatty acids (FAs) and triacylglycerols (TGs) can alter the phospholipid (PL) mesomorphism. However, the molecular mechanisms involved are not fully understood. This study focuses on the effect of the unsaturation degree of the C-18 FAs, oleic acid (OA), linoleic acid and linolenic acid, and their TGs, triolein (TO), trilinolein, and trilinolenin, on the structural properties of phosphoethanolamine PLs. By means of X-ray diffraction and 31P-NMR spectroscopy, it is shown that both types of molecules stabilize the HII phase in 1,2-dielaidoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DEPE) liposomes. Several structural factors are considered to explain the correlation between the FA unsaturation degree and the onset temperature of the HII phase. It is proposed that TGs could act as lateral spacers between polar DEPE groups, providing an increase in the effective surface area per lipid molecule that would account for the structural parameters of the HII phase. Fluorescence polarization data indicated a fluidification effect of OA on the lamellar phase. TO increased the viscosity of the hydrophobic core with a high effect on the HII phase.

Pattern formation of vascular smooth muscle cells subject to nonuniform fluid shear stress: mediation by gradient of cell density

Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are organized in various patterns in blood vessels. Whereas straight blood vessels mainly contain circumferentially aligned SMCs, curved blood vessels are composed of axially aligned SMCs in regions with vortex blood flow. The vortex flow-dependent feature of SMC alignment suggests a role for nonuniform fluid shear stress in regulating the pattern formation of SMCs. Here, we demonstrate that, in experimental models with vascular polymer implants designed for the observation of neointima formation and SMC migration under defined fluid shear stress, nonuniform shear stress possibly plays a role in regulating the direction of SMC migration and alignment in the neointima of the vascular implant. It was found that fluid shear stress inhibited cell growth, and the presence of nonuniform shear stress influenced the distribution of total cell density and induced the formation of cell density gradients, which in turn directed SMC migration and alignment. In contrast, uniform fluid shear stress in a control model influenced neither the distribution of total cell density nor the direction of SMC migration and alignment. In both the uniform and nonuniform shear models, the gradient of total cell density was consistent with the alignment of SMCs. These observations suggest that nonuniform shear stress may regulate the pattern formation of SMCs, possibly via mediating the gradient of cell density in the neointima of vascular polymer implants.

Pattern formation of vascular smooth muscle cells subject to nonuniform fluid shear stress: role of PDGF-beta receptor and Src

Blood vessels are subject to fluid shear stress, a hemodynamic factor that inhibits the mitogenic activities of vascular cells. The presence of nonuniform shear stress has been shown to exert graded suppression of cell proliferation and induces the formation of cell density gradients, which in turn regulate the direction of smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration and alignment. Here, we investigated the role of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-beta receptor and Src in the regulation of such processes. In experimental models with vascular polymer implants, SMCs migrated from the vessel media into the neointima of the implant under defined fluid shear stress. In a nonuniform shear model, blood shear stress suppressed the expression of PDGF-beta receptor and the phosphorylation of Src in a shear level-dependent manner, resulting in the formation of mitogen gradients, which were consistent with the gradient of cell density as well as the alignment of SMCs. In contrast, uniform shear stress in a control model elicited an even influence on the activity of mitogenic molecules without modulating the uniformity of cell density and did not significantly influence the direction of SMC alignment. The suppression of the PDGF-beta receptor tyrosine kinase and Src with pharmacological substances diminished the gradients of mitogens and cell density and reduced the influence of nonuniform shear stress on SMC alignment. These observations suggest that PDGF-beta receptor and Src possibly serve as mediating factors in nonuniform shear-induced formation of cell density gradients and alignment of SMCs in the neointima of vascular polymer implants.

Role of hyaluronic acid glycosaminoglycans in shear-induced endothelium-derived nitric oxide release

Endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) is synthesized in response to chemical and physical stimuli. Here, we investigated a possible role of the endothelial cell glycocalyx as a biomechanical sensor that triggers endothelial NO production by transmitting flow-related shear forces to the endothelial membrane. Isolated canine femoral arteries were perfused with a Krebs-Henseleit solution at a wide range of perfusion rates with and without pretreatment with hyaluronidase to degrade hyaluronic acid glycosaminoglycans within the glycocalyx layer. NO production rate was evaluated as the product of nitrite concentration in the perfusate and steady-state perfusion rate. The slope that correlates the linear relation between perfusion rate and NO production rate was taken as a measure for flow-induced NO production. Hyaluronidase treatment significantly decreased flow-induced NO production to 19 +/- 9% of control (mean +/- SD; P < 0.0001 vs. control; n = 11), whereas it did not affect acetylcholine-induced NO production (88 +/- 17% of pretreatment level, P = not significant; n = 10). We conclude that hyaluronic acid glycosaminoglycans within the glycocalyx play a pivotal role in detecting and amplifying the shear force of flowing blood that triggers endothelium-derived NO production in isolated canine femoral arteries.

A model for shear stress sensing and transmission in vascular endothelial cells

Arterial endothelial cell (EC) responsiveness to flow is essential for normal vascular function and plays a role in the development of atherosclerosis. EC flow responses may involve sensing of the mechanical stimulus at the cell surface with subsequent transmission via cytoskeleton to intracellular transduction sites. We had previously modeled flow-induced deformation of EC-surface flow sensors represented as viscoelastic materials with standard linear solid behavior (Kelvin bodies). In the present article, we extend the analysis to arbitrary networks of viscoelastic structures connected in series and/or parallel. Application of the model to a system of two Kelvin bodies in parallel reveals that flow induces an instantaneous deformation followed by creeping to the asymptotic response. The force divides equally between the two bodies when they have identical viscoelastic properties. When one body is stiffer than the other, a larger fraction of the applied force is directed to the stiffer body. We have also probed the impact of steady and oscillatory flow on simple sensor-cytoskeleton-nucleus networks. The results demonstrated that, consistent with the experimentally observed temporal chronology of EC flow responses, the flow sensor attains its peak deformation faster than intracellular structures and the nucleus deforms more rapidly than cytoskeletal elements. The results have also revealed that a 1-Hz oscillatory flow induces significantly smaller deformations than steady flow. These results may provide insight into the mechanisms behind the experimental observations that a number of EC responses induced by steady flow are not induced by oscillatory flow.

Rapid activation of Ras by fluid flow is mediated by Galpha(q) and Gbetagamma subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins in human endothelial cells

OBJECTIVE

Temporal gradients in fluid shear stress have been shown to induce a proatherogenic phenotype in endothelial cells. The biomechanical mechanism(s) that enables the endothelium to respond to fluid shear stress requires rapid activation and signal transduction. The small G protein Ras has been identified as an early link between rapid mechanotransduction events and the effects of shear stress on downstream signal-transduction cascades. The aim of this study was to elucidate the upstream mechanotransduction signaling events mediating the rapid activation of Ras by fluid shear stress in human endothelial cells.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Direct measurement of Ras-bound GTP and GDP showed that fluid-flow activation of Ras was rapid (10-fold within 5 seconds) and dose dependent on shear stress magnitude. Treatment with protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors or pertussis toxin did not significantly affect flow-induced Ras activation. However, activation was inhibited by transient transfection with antisense to Galpha(q) or the Gbetagamma scavenger beta-adrenergic receptor kinase carboxy terminus. Transfection with several Gbetagamma subunit isoforms revealed flow-induced Ras activation was most effectively enhanced by Gbeta1gamma2.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the rapid, shear-induced activation of Ras is mediated by Galpha(q) through the activity of Gbetagamma subunits in human vascular endothelial cells.

Fluid shear stress and the vascular endothelium: for better and for worse

As blood flows, the vascular wall is constantly subjected to physical forces, which regulate important physiological blood vessel responses, as well as being implicated in the development of arterial wall pathologies. Changes in blood flow, thus generating altered hemodynamic forces are responsible for acute vessel tone regulation, the development of blood vessel structure during embryogenesis and early growth, as well as chronic remodeling and generation of adult blood vessels. The complex interaction of biomechanical forces, and more specifically shear stress, derived by the flow of blood and the vascular endothelium raise many yet to be answered questions:How are mechanical forces transduced by endothelial cells into a biological response, and is there a "shear stress receptor"?Are "mechanical receptors" and the final signaling pathways they evoke similar to other stimulus-response transduction systems?How do vascular endothelial cells differ in their response to physiological or pathological shear stresses?Can shear stress receptors or shear stress responsive genes serve as novel targets for the design of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for cardiovascular pathologies?The current review attempts to bring together recent findings on the in vivo and in vitro responses of the vascular endothelium to shear stress and to address some of the questions raised above.

Spatial microstimuli in endothelial mechanosignaling

Descriptive and quantitative analyses of microstimuli in living endothelial cells strongly support an integrated mechanism of mechanotransduction regulated by the spatial organization of multiple structural and signaling networks. Endothelial responses to blood flow are regulated at multiple levels of organization extending over scales from vascular beds to single cells, subcellular structures, and individual molecules. Microstimuli at the cellular and subcellular levels exhibit temporal and spatial complexities that are increasingly accessible to measurement. We address the cell and subcellular physical interface between flow-related forces and biomechanical responses of the endothelial cell. Live cell imaging and computational analyses of structural dynamics, two important approaches to microstimulation at this scale, are briefly reviewed.

Effects of oleic acid and its congeners, elaidic and stearic acids, on the structural properties of phosphatidylethanolamine membranes

Fatty acid derivatives are abundant in biological membranes, mainly as components of phospholipids and cholesterol esters. Their presence, free or bound to phospholipids, modulates the lipid membrane behavior. The present study shows the differential influence of the C-18 fatty acids (FAs), oleic, elaidic, and stearic acids on the structural properties of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). X-ray diffraction of PE-FA systems demonstrated that oleic acid (OA) produced important concentration-dependent alterations of the lipid membrane structure: it induced reductions of up to 20-23 degrees C in the lamellar-to-hexagonal transition temperature of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl PE and dielaidoyl PE and regulated the dimensions of the hexagonal lattice. In contrast, elaidic and stearic acids did not markedly alter the phospholipid mesomorphism. The above effects were attributed to the different "molecular shape" of OA (with a kink at the middle of the molecule) with respect to their congeners, elaidic and stearic acids. The effects of free fatty acids (FFAs) on membrane structure are relevant for several reasons: i) some biological membranes contain very high levels of FFAs. ii) Mediterranean diets with high OA intake have been shown to exert protective effects against tumoral and hypertensive pathologies. iii) FFA derivatives have been developed as antitumoral and antihypertensive drugs.

Fluid flow shear stress stimulates human osteoblast proliferation and differentiation through multiple interacting and competing signal transduction pathways

This study sought to assess the role of several signaling pathways in the fluid flow shear stress-induced proliferation and differentiation of normal human osteoblasts. We evaluated the effects of an effective dose of selective inhibitors of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) pathway (PD98059 and U0126), the nitric oxide synthase pathway (N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester), the cyclo-oxygenase pathway (indomethacin), or the Gi/o pathway (pertussis toxin [PTX]) on the flow-mediated effects. A 30-min steady flow shear stress at 20 dynes/cm(2) increased significantly [(3)H]thymidine incorporation (an indicator of proliferation), alkaline phosphatase activity (an index of osteoblast differentiation), phosphorylation of ERK, and expression of integrin beta1. PD98059, U0126, and N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester completely blocked the shear stress-induced increases in ERK phosphorylation, [(3)H]thymidine incorporation, and alkaline phosphatase, but without an effect on integrin beta1 expression, indicating that the ERK and nitric oxide synthase pathways are essential for the shear stress-induced proliferation and differentiation of normal human osteoblasts and that each involves ERK activation but not integrin beta1 upregulation. Indomethacin blocked the shear stress-induced osteoblast proliferation and differentiation and integrin beta1 upregulation but not ERK activation, suggesting that the cyclo-oxygenase pathway (i.e., prostacyclin and/or prostaglandin E(2)) mediates the shear stress-induced osteoblast proliferation in an ERK-independent manner. In contrast, PTX completely blocked the flow-induced increase in integrin beta1 expression but had no effect on the increase in the ERK phosphorylation or [(3)H]thymidine incorporation. PTX not only did not inhibit but also significantly enhanced the stimulatory effect of shear stress on alkaline phosphatase activity, suggesting that a PTX-sensitive signaling pathway may have an inhibitory role in osteoblast differentiation. In summary, this study shows, for the first time, that the signal transduction mechanism of shear stress in osteoblasts is complex and involves multiple ERK-dependent and independent pathways, and provides circumstantial evidence that there may be a PTX-sensitive pathway that has completing effects with an unknown pathway on the differentiation of normal human osteoblasts.

Transient mechanoactivation of neutral sphingomyelinase in caveolae to generate ceramide

The vascular endothelium acutely autoregulates blood flow in vivo in part through unknown mechanosensing mechanisms. Here, we report the discovery of a new acute mechanotransduction pathway. Hemodynamic stressors from increased vascular flow and pressure in situ rapidly and transiently induce the activity of neutral sphingomyelinase but not that acid sphingomyelinase in a time- and flow rate-dependent manner, followed by the generation of ceramides. This acute mechanoactivation occurs directly at the luminal endothelial cell surface primarily in caveolae enriched in sphingomyelin and neutral sphingomyelinase, but not acid sphingomyelinase. Scyphostatin, which specifically blocks neutral but not acid sphingomyelinase, inhibits mechano-induced neutral sphingomyelinase activity as well as downstream activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1 and ERK2) by increased flow in situ. We postulate a novel physiological function for neutral sphingomyelinase as a new mechanosensor initiating the ERK cascade and possibly other mechanotransduction pathways.

Cholesterol cell content modulates GTPase activity of G proteins in GH4C1 cell membranes

Previous results from our laboratory showed that GH(4)C(1) cells with low-cholesterol cell content had increased adenylyl cyclase (AC) activity with a parallel increase in G protein alpha subunits associated to the plasma membrane. This effect was directly related to mevalonate availability. In the present report, we characterized the high-affinity GTPase activity present in GH(4)C(1) cell membranes and studied its regulation by cholesterol cell content. The high-affinity GTPase activity, measured as the [gamma32P]GTP hydrolysis rate, was both time-dependent and protein concentration-dependent. Cultured cells with lipoprotein-deficient serum (LPDS) showed decreased cholesterol cell content and decreased GTPase activity. The kinetic analysis, as interpreted by Lineweaver-Burk plots, indicated that low-cholesterol cell content had no effect on the apparent affinity for GTP, but resulted in a 47% decrease in the maximal velocity of the reaction. Addition of 25-hydroxycholesterol (25-HC), an inhibitor of the expression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase and synthetase to cells in LPDS, further decreased GTPase activity in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was reverted by exogenous cholesterol, but not by mevalonate. Studies with bacterial toxins revealed that neither cholera toxin (CTX) nor pertussis toxins (PTX) were able to revert the inhibition produced by low-cholesterol cell content. These results allowed us to postulate that cholesterol modulates GTPase activity in both Gs and Gi protein families. To analyse further the mechanism of modulation of GTPase activity by cholesterol cell content, [35S]GTPgammaS binding in membranes of GH(4)C(1) cells was studied. Changes in cholesterol cell content did not have any effect on GTP binding. Data demonstrated that high-affinity GTPase activity in plasma membrane of GH(4)C(1) cells is direct stimulated by cholesterol cell content and not by mevalonate availability. This example provides a mechanism by which cholesterol cell content can modulate signal transduction mediating by G proteins.

Pulsatile flow-induced angiogenesis: role of G(i) subunits

OBJECTIVE

Angiogenesis plays a key role in the growth and function of normal and pathological tissues. We investigated the effect of pulsatile flow on endothelial cell (EC) in vitro angiogenic activity.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Bovine aortic ECs were exposed to "static" or "flow" (1.2 to 67.0 mL/min, shear stress 1.4 to 19.2 dyne/cm2) conditions for 2 to 24 hours. After exposure, angiogenesis was measured as tubule formation on Matrigel, and EC migration was assessed by filter migration assay. Pulsatile flow increased angiogenesis and EC migration in a temporal and force-dependent manner, with a maximal effect at 16 hours (13.2 dyne/cm2). Pertussis toxin completely inhibited the effect of pulsatile flow on angiogenesis and migration. Transfection of ECs with inhibitory mutants of the alpha subunit of G(i)1 or G(i)3, but not G(i)2, inhibited the flow-induced angiogenic response by 61+/-2% and 32+/-6%, respectively, whereas transfection with constitutively activated mutants of the alpha subunit of G(i)1 or G(i)3, but not G(i)2, increased the flow-induced response by 202+/-23% and 70+/-4%, respectively. In contrast, inhibition of Gbetagamma by the carboxy terminal fragment of beta-adrenergic receptor kinase overexpression increased the flow-induced response by 82+/-8%.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that pulsatile flow stimulates angiogenesis and that this effect is mediated by activation of G(ialpha)1 or G(ialpha)3, but not Gbetagamma, subunits.

Evidence for a role of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 in endothelial cell mechanosignal transduction: is it a mechanoresponsive molecule?

Fluid shear stress (FSS) induces many forms of responses, including phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in endothelial cells (ECs). We have earlier reported rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) in ECs exposed to FSS. Osmotic changes also induced similar PECAM-1 and ERK phosphorylation with nearly identical kinetics. Because both FSS and osmotic changes should mechanically perturb the cell membrane, they might activate the same mechanosignaling cascade. When PECAM-1 is tyrosine phosphorylated by FSS or osmotic changes, SHP-2 binds to it. Here we show that ERK phosphorylation by FSS or osmotic changes depends on PECAM-1 tyrosine phosphorylation, SHP-2 binding to phospho-PECAM-1, and SHP-2 phosphatase activity. In ECs under flow, detectable amounts of SHP-2 and Gab1 translocated from the cytoplasm to the EC junction. When magnetic beads coated with antibodies against the extracellular domain of PECAM-1 were attached to ECs and tugged by magnetic force for 10 min, PECAM-1 associated with the beads was tyrosine phosphorylated. ERK was also phosphorylated in these cells. Binding of the beads by itself or pulling on the cell surface using poly-l-coated beads did not induce phosphorylation of PECAM-1 and ERK. These results suggest that PECAM-1 is a mechanotransduction molecule.

Determination of cellular strains by combined atomic force microscopy and finite element modeling

Many organs adapt to their mechanical environment as a result of physiological change or disease. Cells are both the detectors and effectors of this process. Though many studies have been performed in vitro to investigate the mechanisms of detection and adaptation to mechanical strains, the cellular strains remain unknown and results from different stimulation techniques cannot be compared. By combining experimental determination of cell profiles and elasticities by atomic force microscopy with finite element modeling and computational fluid dynamics, we report the cellular strain distributions exerted by common whole-cell straining techniques and from micromanipulation techniques, hence enabling their comparison. Using data from our own analyses and experiments performed by others, we examine the threshold of activation for different signal transduction processes and the strain components that they may detect. We show that modulating cell elasticity, by increasing the F-actin content of the cytoskeleton, or cellular Poisson ratio are good strategies to resist fluid shear or hydrostatic pressure. We report that stray fluid flow in some substrate-stretch systems elicits significant cellular strains. In conclusion, this technique shows promise in furthering our understanding of the interplay among mechanical forces, strain detection, gene expression, and cellular adaptation in physiology and disease.

Rho family GTP binding proteins are involved in the regulatory volume decrease process in NIH3T3 mouse fibroblasts

The role of Rho GTPases in the regulatory volume decrease (RVD) process following osmotic cell swelling is controversial and has so far only been investigated for the swelling-activated Cl- efflux. We investigated the involvement of RhoA in the RVD process in NIH3T3 mouse fibroblasts, using wild-type cells and three clones expressing constitutively active RhoA (RhoAV14). RhoAV14 expression resulted in an up to fourfold increase in the rate of RVD, measured by large-angle light scattering. The increase in RVD rate correlated with RhoAV14 expression. RVD in wild-type cells was unaffected by the Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632 and the phosphatidyl-inositol 3 kinase (PI3K) inhibitor wortmannin. The maximal rates of swelling-activated K+ (86 Rb+ as tracer) and taurine ([3H]taurine as tracer) efflux after a 30 % reduction in extracellular osmolarity were increased about twofold in cells with maximal RhoAV14 expression compared to wild-type cells, but were unaffected by Y-27632. The volume set points for activation of release of both osmolytes appeared to be reduced by RhoAV14 expression. The maximal taurine efflux rate constant was potentiated by the tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor Na(3)VO(4), and inhibited by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein. The magnitude of the swelling-activated Cl- current (I(Cl,swell) ) was higher in RhoAV14 than in wild-type cells after a 7.5 % reduction in extracellular osmolarity, but, in contrast to 86Rb+ and [3H]taurine efflux, similar in both strains after a 30 % reduction in extracellular osmolarity. I(Cl,swell) was inhibited by Y-27632 and strongly potentiated by the myosin light chain kinase inhibitors ML-7 and AV25. It is suggested that RhoA, although not the volume sensor per se, is an important upstream modulator shared by multiple swelling-activated channels on which RhoA exerts its effects via divergent signalling pathways.

Mechanotransduction through the cytoskeleton

We constructed a model cytoskeleton to investigate the proposal that this interconnected filamentous structure can act as a mechano- and signal transducer. The model cytoskeleton is composed of rigid rods representing actin filaments, which are connected with springs representing cross-linker molecules. The entire mesh is placed in viscous cytoplasm. The model eukaryotic cell is submitted to either shock wave-like or periodic mechanical perturbations at its membrane. We calculated the efficiency of this network to transmit energy to the nuclear wall as a function of cross-linker stiffness, cytoplasmic viscosity, and external stimulation frequency. We found that the cytoskeleton behaves as a tunable band filter: for given linker molecules, energy transmission peaks in a narrow range of stimulation frequencies. Most of the normal modes of the network are spread over the same frequency range. Outside this range, signals are practically unable to reach their destination. Changing the cellular ratios of linker molecules with different elastic characteristics can control the allowable frequency range and, with it, the efficiency of mechanotransduction.

Mechanotransduction: all signals point to cytoskeleton, matrix, and integrins

Mechanical stresses modulate cell function by either activating or tuning signal transduction pathways. Mechanotransduction, the process by which cells convert mechanical stimuli into a chemical response, occurs both in cells specialized for sensing mechanical cues and in parenchymal cells whose primary function is not mechanosensory. However, common among the various responses to mechanical stress is the importance of direct or indirect connections between the internal cytoskeleton, the extracellular matrix (ECM), and traditional signal transducing molecules. In many instances, these elements converge at focal adhesions, sites of structural attachment between the cytoskeleton and ECM that are anchored by cell surface integrin receptors. Alenghat and Ingber discuss the accumulating evidence for the central role of cytoskeleton, ECM, and integrin-anchored focal adhesions in several mechanotransduction pathways.

Control of the shape of a thrombus-neointima-like structure by blood shear stress

Fluid mechanical factors are thought to influence vascular morphogenesis. Here we show how blood shear stress regulates the shape of a thrombus-neointima-like tissue on a polymer micro-cylinder implanted in the center of the rat vena cava with the micro-cylinder perpendicular to blood flow. In this model, the micro-cylinder is exposed to a laminarflow with a known shear stress field in the leading region and a vortexflow in the trailing region. At 1, 5, 10, 20, and 30 days after implantation, it was found that the micro-cylinder was encapsulated by a thrombus-neointima-like tissue with a streamlined body profile. The highest growth rate of the thrombus-neointima-like tissue was found along the trailing and leading stagnation edges of the micro-cylinder. Blood shear stress in the laminar flow region was inversely correlated with the rate of thrombus formation and cell proliferation, and the percentage of smooth muscle a actin-positive cells. These biological changes were also found in the trailing vortex flow region, which was associated with lowered shear stress. These results suggest that blood shear stress regulates the rate of thrombus and neointimal formation and, thus, influences the shape of the thrombus-neointima-like structure in the present model.

Rate sensitivity of shear-induced changes in the lateral diffusion of endothelial cell membrane lipids: a role for membrane perturbation in shear-induced MAPK activation

Vascular endothelium transduces the temporal gradients in shear stress (tau) originating from unsteady blood flow into functional responses. We measured the effects of step-tau and ramp-tau (i.e., t with different temporal shear gradients) on the lipid lateral diffusion coefficient (D) in the apical membranes of confluent cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells by using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching. A step-tau of 10 dynes/cm2 elicited a rapid (5 s) increase of D in the portion of the cell upstream of the nucleus and a concomitant decrease in the downstream portion. A ramp-tau with a rate of 20 dynes/cm2 per min elicited a rapid (5 s) decrease of D in both the upstream and the downstream portions. The mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) ERK and JNK were activated by step-tau but not by ramping to the same tau level. Benzyl alcohol, which increases D, enhanced the activities of both MAPKs; cholesterol, which reduces D, diminished these activities. We conclude that the lipid bilayer can sense the temporal features of the applied tau with spatial discrimination and that the tau-induced membrane perturbations can be transduced into MAPK activation. These results have implications for understanding the role of t in modulating vascular functions in health and disease.

Cell mechanics: mechanical response, cell adhesion, and molecular deformation

As the basic unit of life, the cell is a biologically complex system, the understanding of which requires a combination of various approaches including biomechanics. With recent progress in cell and molecular biology, the field of cell mechanics has grown rapidly over the last few years. This review synthesizes some of these recent developments to foster new concepts and approaches, and it emphasizes molecular-level understanding. The focuses are on the common themes and interconnections in three related areas: (a) the responses of cells to mechanical forces, (b) the mechanics and kinetics of cell adhesion, and (c) the deformation of biomolecules. Specific examples are also given to illustrate the quantitative modeling used in analyzing biological processes and physiological functions.

Mechanical stimulation activates Galphaq signaling pathways and 5-hydroxytryptamine release from human carcinoid BON cells

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) released from enterochromaffin cells activates secretory and peristaltic reflexes necessary for lubrication and propulsion of intestinal luminal contents. The aim of this study was to identify mechanosensitive intracellular signaling pathways that regulate 5-HT release. Human carcinoid BON cells displayed 5-HT immunoreactivity associated with granules dispersed throughout the cells or at the borders. Mechanical stimulation by rotational shaking released 5-HT from BON cells or from guinea pig jejunum during neural blockade with tetrodotoxin. In streptolysin O-permeabilized cells, guanosine 5'-O- (2-thiodiphosphate) (GDP-beta-S) and a synthetic peptide derived from the COOH terminus of Galphaq abolished mechanically evoked 5-HT release, while the NH(2)-terminal peptide did not. An antisense phosphorothioated oligonucleotide targeted to a unique sequence of Galphaq abolished mechanically evoked 5-HT release and reduced Galphaq protein levels without affecting the expression of Galpha(11). Depletion and chelation of extracellular calcium did not alter mechanically evoked 5-HT release, whereas depletion of intracellular calcium stores by thapsigargin and chelation of intracellular calcium by 1,2-bis (o-Aminophenoxy) ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid tetra (acetoxymethyl) ester (BAPTA-AM) reduced 5-HT release. Mechanically evoked 5-HT release was inhibited by somatostatin-14 in a concentration-dependent manner. The results suggest that mechanical stimulation of enterochromaffin-derived BON cells directly or indirectly stimulates a G protein-coupled receptor that activates Galphaq, mobilizes intracellular calcium, and causes 5-HT release.

Albumin restores lysophosphatidylcholine-induced inhibition of vasodilation in rat aorta

BACKGROUND

Impairment of vasodilation by oxidized low-density lipoprotein has been attributed to lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC). Albumin avidly binds LPC. Therefore, hypoalbuminemia may directly impair vasodilation and thus contribute to increased risk of atherosclerosis in nephrotic syndrome. The addition of albumin reduces LPC in erythrocytes and endothelial cells. We hypothesized that the addition of albumin will salvage vasodilation in aortic rings previously exposed to LPC. LPC increases superoxide production and disturbs L-arginine availability. Therefore, we also decreased superoxide with a superoxide dismutase mimic, MnCl(2), and supplemented L-arginine in an attempt to restore vasodilation.

METHODS

Rat aorta rings, which had been incubated with various concentrations of LPC and human serum albumin (HSA), were mounted in organ chambers. Relaxation was studied with acetylcholine (0.01 to 100 micromol/L) after precontraction with phenylephrine (CON, 0.3 micromol/L; LPC, 0.03 micromol/L). In some studies MnCl(2) or L-arginine was added to the organ chamber.

RESULTS

LPC had time- and dose-dependent inhibitory effects on acetylcholine-mediated vasodilation, but no effect on nitroprusside-mediated vasodilation. Preincubation with albumin (50 or 6 g/L) could protect vasodilation against very high levels of LPC. After preincubation with LPC, the addition of albumin to the incubation salvaged vasodilation. Albumin was more effective after short LPC incubation. MnCl(2) had no specific effect on the LPC-mediated disturbance in vasodilation. L-arginine completely salvaged vasodilation at low concentrations of LPC. However, even high concentrations of L-arginine (1 mmol/L) could not improve vasodilation at LPC levels at which vasodilation was restored by albumin.

CONCLUSIONS

LPC affects several pathways that inhibit vasodilation, all of which are salvaged by addition of albumin.

Erythroid cell growth and differentiation in vitro in the simulated microgravity environment of the NASA rotating wall vessel bioreactor

Prolonged exposure of humans and experimental animals to the altered gravitational conditions of space flight has adverse effects on the lymphoid and erythroid hematopoietic systems. Although some information is available regarding the cellular and molecular changes in lymphocytes exposed to microgravity, little is known about the erythroid cellular changes that may underlie the reduction in erythropoiesis and resultant anemia. We now report a reduction in erythroid growth and a profound inhibition of erythropoietin (Epo)-induced differentiation in a ground-based simulated microgravity model system. Rauscher murine erythroleukemia cells were grown either in tissue culture vessels at 1 x g or in the simulated microgravity environment of the NASA-designed rotating wall vessel (RWV) bioreactor. Logarithmic growth was observed under both conditions; however, the doubling time in simulated microgravity was only one-half of that seen at 1 x g. No difference in apoptosis was detected. Induction with Epo at the initiation of the culture resulted in differentiation of approximately 25% of the cells at 1 x g, consistent with our previous observations. In contrast, induction with Epo at the initiation of simulated microgravity resulted in only one-half of this degree of differentiation. Significantly, the growth of cells in simulated microgravity for 24 h prior to Epo induction inhibited the differentiation almost completely. The results suggest that the NASA RWV bioreactor may serve as a suitable ground-based microgravity simulator to model the cellular and molecular changes in erythroid cells observed in true microgravity.

New advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of chronic venous insufficiency

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is inseparably linked to elevated venous pressure and is accompanied by vascular, dermal, and subcutaneous tissue damage and restructuring. Abundant evidence exists both in humans and in experimental models to suggest that the tissue damage may be initiated by generation of an inflammatory reaction. Inflammatory indicators include elevation of endothelial permeability; attachment of circulating leukocytes to the endothelium; infiltration of monocytes, lymphocytes, and mast cells into the connective tissue; and development of fibrotic tissue infiltrates and several molecular markers, such as growth factor or membrane adhesion molecule generation. Indicators of an inflammatory reaction are already detectable at early stages of CVI and may be involved in the development of primary venous valve dysfunction. One of the important questions is to identify trigger mechanisms for the inflammatory reaction in CVI. Current evidence suggests that, among several possible mechanisms (hypoxia, humoral stimulation), a shift in fluid shear stress from normal physiological levels and endothelial distension under the influence of elevated venous pressure may serve as trigger mechanisms for inflammation.

Invited review: arteriolar smooth muscle mechanotransduction: Ca(2+) signaling pathways underlying myogenic reactivity

The smooth muscle of arterioles responds to an increase in intraluminal pressure with vasoconstriction and with vasodilation when pressure is decreased. Such myogenic vasoconstriction provides a level of basal tone that enables arterioles to appropriately adjust diameter in response to neurohumoral stimuli. Key in this process of mechanotransduction is the role of changes in intracellular Ca(2+). However, it is becoming clear that considerable complexity exists in the spatiotemporal characteristics of the Ca(2+) signal and that changes in intracellular Ca(2+) may play roles other than direct effects on the contractile process via activation of myosin light-chain phosphorylation. The involvement of Ca(2+) may extend to modulation of ion channels and release of Ca(2+) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, alterations in Ca(2+) sensitivity, and coupling between cells within the vessel wall. The purpose of this brief review is to summarize the current literature relating to Ca(2+) and the arteriolar myogenic response. Consideration is given to coupling of Ca(2+) changes to the mechanical stimuli, sources of Ca(2+), involvement of ion channels, and spatiotemporal aspects of intracellular Ca(2+) signaling.

Regulation of I(Cl,swell) in neuroblastoma cells by G protein signaling pathways

Guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (GTPgammaS) activated the I(Cl,swell) anion channel in N1E115 neuroblastoma cells in a swelling-independent manner. GTPgammaS-induced current was unaffected by ATP removal and broadly selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors, demonstrating that phosphorylation events do not regulate G protein-dependent channel activation. Pertussis toxin had no effect on GTPgammaS-induced current. However, cholera toxin inhibited the current approximately 70%. Exposure of cells to 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate did not mimic the effect of cholera toxin, and its inhibitory action was not prevented by treatment of cells with an inhibitor of adenylyl cyclase. These results demonstrate that GTPgammaS does not act through Galpha(i/o) GTPases and that Galpha(s)/Gbetagamma G proteins inhibit the channel and/or channel regulatory mechanisms through cAMP-independent mechanisms. Swelling-induced activation of I(Cl,swell) was stimulated two- to threefold by GTPgammaS and inhibited by 10 mM guanosine 5'-O-(2-thiodiphosphate). The Rho GTPase inhibitor Clostridium difficile toxin B inhibited both GTPgammaS- and swelling-induced activation of I(Cl,swell). Taken together, these findings indicate that Rho GTPase signaling pathways regulate the I(Cl,swell) channel via phosphorylation-independent mechanisms.

Influence of shear flow on vesicles near a wall: A numerical study

We describe the dynamics of three-dimensional fluid vesicles in steady shear flow in the vicinity of a wall. This is analyzed numerically at low Reynolds numbers using a boundary element method. The area-incompressible vesicle exhibits bending elasticity. Forces due to adhesion or gravity oppose the hydrodynamic lift force driving the vesicle away from a wall. We investigate three cases. First, a neutrally buoyant vesicle is placed in the vicinity of a wall that acts only as a geometrical constraint. We find that the lift velocity is linearly proportional to shear rate and decreases with increasing distance between the vesicle and the wall. Second, with a vesicle filled with a denser fluid, we find a stationary hovering state. We present an estimate of the viscous lift force that seems to agree with recent experiments of Lorz et al. [Europhys. Lett. 51, 468 (2000)]. Third, if the wall exerts an additional adhesive force, we investigate the dynamical unbinding transition that occurs at an adhesion strength linearly proportional to the shear rate.

Mechanism of temporal gradients in shear-induced ERK1/2 activation and proliferation in endothelial cells

The aim of the current study was to investigate the intracellular signaling cascade that leads to temporal gradients in shear (TGS)-induced endothelial cell proliferation, with a focus on the involvement of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2). With the use of well-defined pulsatile, impulse, step, and ramp laminar flow profiles, we found that TGS (impulse flow and pulsatile flow) induced an enhanced and sustained (>30 min) phosphorylation of ERK1/2 relative to step flow (which contains a step increase in shear followed by steady shear), whereas steady shear (ramp flow) alone downregulated activated ERK1/2. Nitric oxide (NO) was found to mediate both the stimulatory effect of TGS and the inhibitory effect of steady shear on endothelial ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were also demonstrated to be associated with TGS-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Both G(q/11) and G(i3) were necessary for the activation of ERK1/2 by TGS. Finally, the TGS-induced endothelial proliferative response was abolished by ERK1/2 inhibition. Our study demonstrated the essential role of G proteins, NO, and ROS in TGS-dependent ERK1/2 activation and proliferative response in vascular endothelial cells.

Twisting integrin receptors increases endothelin-1 gene expression in endothelial cells

A magnetic twisting stimulator was developed based on the previously published technique of magnetic twisting cytometry. Using ligand-coated ferromagnetic microbeads, this device can apply mechanical stresses with varying amplitudes, duration, frequencies, and waveforms to specific cell surface receptors. Biochemical and biological responses of the cells to the mechanical stimulation can be assayed. Twisting integrin receptors with RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp)-containing peptide-coated beads increased endothelin-1 (ET-1) gene expression by >100%. In contrast, twisting scavenger receptors with acetylated low-density lipoprotein-coated beads or twisting HLA antigen with anti-HLA antibody-coated beads did not lead to alterations in ET-1 gene expression. In situ hybridization showed that the increase in ET-1 mRNA was localized in the cells that were stressed with the RGD-coated beads. Blocking stretch-activated ion channels with gadolinium, chelating Ca2+ with EGTA, or inhibiting tyrosine phosphorylation with genistein abolished twist-induced ET-1 mRNA elevation. Abolishing cytoskeletal tension with an inhibitor of the myosin ATPase, with an inhibitor of myosin light chain kinase, or with an actin microfilament disrupter blocked twisted-induced increases in ET-1 expression. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that the molecular structural linkage of integrin-cytoskeleton is an important pathway for stress-induced ET-1 gene expression.