Macro- and microvascular endothelial cells in vitro: maintenance of biochemical heterogeneity despite loss of ultrastructural characteristics

Multi-omics delineation of cytokine-induced endothelial inflammatory states

Vascular endothelial cells (ECs) form a dynamic interface between blood and tissue and play a crucial role in the progression of vascular inflammation. Here, we aim to dissect the system-wide molecular mechanisms of inflammatory endothelial-cytokine responses. Applying an unbiased cytokine library, we determined that TNFα and IFNγ induced the largest EC response resulting in distinct proteomic inflammatory signatures. Notably, combined TNFα + IFNγ stimulation induced an additional synergetic inflammatory signature. We employed a multi-omics approach to dissect these inflammatory states, combining (phospho-) proteome, transcriptome and secretome and found, depending on the stimulus, a wide-array of altered immune-modulating processes, including complement proteins, MHC complexes and distinct secretory cytokines. Synergy resulted in cooperative activation of transcript induction. This resource describes the intricate molecular mechanisms that are at the basis of endothelial inflammation and supports the adaptive immunomodulatory role of the endothelium in host defense and vascular inflammation.

Bovine Chromaffin Cells for CNS Transplantation do not Elicit Xenogeneic T Cell Proliferative Responses in Vitro

Adrenal chromaffin cells have been utilized for several neural grafting applications, but limitations in allogeneic donor availability and dangers inherent in auto-grafting limit the widespread use of this approach clinically. While xenogeneic donors offer promise as a source for cell transplantation in the central nervous system (CNS), immunologic responses to cellular components of the adrenal medulla have not been well characterized. To further study the host T cell xenogeneic response to chromaffin and passenger cells of the adrenal medulla, an in vitro lymphocyte proliferation assay was used. Lymphocyte proliferation was determined by mixing rat lymphocytes with potential stimulator cell subpopulations of the bovine adrenal medulla: isolated chromaffin cells, isolated endothelial cells, or passenger nonchromaffin cells, which include a mixture of fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells. As a positive control, bovine aortic endothelial cells were also used. 3[H]-thymidine incorporation, corresponding to lymphocyte proliferation, was measured. Results indicated that isolated bovine chromaffin cells produce only a mild, statistically insignificant stimulation of rat lymphocytes. In contrast, there was a significant response to passenger nonchromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla, especially endothelial cells. The inclusion of low levels of cyclosporin A in the cultures completely eliminated the mild proliferative response to isolated bovine chromaffin cells, while near toxic levels were necessary to abrogate the response to endothelial cells. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed that routine chromaffin cell isolation procedures result in the inclusion of a small percentage of endothelial cells, which may be responsible for the slight lymphocyte stimulation. The results of this study indicate that isolated chromaffin cells possess low immunogenicity, and suggest that passenger cells in the adrenal medulla, particularly endothelial cells, may be primarily responsible for progressive rejection in CNS grafts. Thus, removal of passenger nonchromaffin cells from xenogeneic donor tissues prior to transplantation may produce a more tolerated graft in rodent models of neural transplantation.

Isolation of luteal endothelial cells and functional interactions with T lymphocytes

The objectives of this study were to optimize the isolation of luteal endothelial cells (LEC) and examine their functional interactions with autologous T lymphocytes. Analysis by flow cytometry showed that the purity of LEC isolated by filtration was nearly 90% as indicated by Bandeiraea simplicifolia (BS)-1 lectin binding. LEC expressed mRNA for progesterone receptor (PGR), prostaglandin receptors (PTGFR, PTGER2 and 4, and PTGIR), tumor necrosis factor receptors (TNFRSF1A&B) and interleukin (IL) 1B receptors (IL1R1&2). LEC were pretreated with either vehicle, progesterone (P₄; 0-20 µM), prostaglandin (PG) E₂ or PGF_2α (0-0.2 µM), and further treated with or without TNF and IL1B (50 ng/mL each). LEC were then incubated with autologous T lymphocytes in an adhesion assay. Fewer lymphocytes adhered to LEC after exposure to high compared to low P₄ concentrations (cubic response; P < 0.05). In contrast, 0.2 µM PGE₂ and PGF_2α each increased T lymphocyte adhesion in the absence of cytokines (P < 0.05). LEC induced IL2 receptor alpha (CD25) expression and proliferation of T lymphocytes. In conclusion, filtration is an effective way of isolating large numbers of viable LEC. It is proposed that PGs and P₄ modulate the ability of endothelial cells to bind T lymphocytes, potentially regulating extravasation, and that LEC activate T lymphocytes migrating into or resident in the CL.

Endothelial stomatal and fenestral diaphragms in normal vessels and angiogenesis

Vascular endothelium lines the entire cardiovascular system where performs a series of vital functions including the control of microvascular permeability, coagulation inflammation, vascular tone as well as the formation of new vessels via vasculogenesis and angiogenesis in normal and disease states. Normal endothelium consists of heterogeneous populations of cells differentiated according to the vascular bed and segment of the vascular tree where they occur. One of the cardinal features is the expression of specific subcellular structures such as plas-malemmal vesicles or caveolae, transendothelial channels, vesiculo-vacuolar organelles, endothelial pockets and fenestrae, whose presence define several endothelial morphological types. A less explored observation is the differential expression of such structures in diverse settings of angiogenesis. This review will focus on the latest developments on the components, structure and function of these specific endothelial structures in normal endothelium as well as in diverse settings of angiogenesis.

Molecular mechanisms of brain tumor edema

Despite their diverse histological types, most brain tumours cause brain oedema, which is a significant cause of patient morbidity and mortality. Brain tumour oedema occurs when plasma-like fluid enters the brain extracellular space through impaired capillary endothelial tight junctions in tumours. Under-expression of the tight junction proteins occludin, claudin-1 and claudin-5 are key molecular abnormalities responsible for the increased permeability of tumour endothelial tight junctions. Recent evidence suggests that the membrane water channel protein aquaporin-4 (AQP4) also plays a role in brain tumour oedema. AQP4-deficient mice show remarkably altered brain water balance after various insults, including brain tumour implantation. AQP4 expression is strongly upregulated around malignant human brain tumours in association with reduced extracellular volume, which may restrict the flow of extracellular fluid from the tumour bed into the brain parenchyma. Elimination of excess fluid leaking into brain parenchyma requires passage across three AQP4-rich barriers: a) the glia limitans externa, b) the glia limitans interna/ependyma, and c) the blood-brain barrier. Modulation of the expression and/or function of endothelial tight junction proteins and aquaporins may provide novel therapeutic options for reducing brain tumour oedema.

Endothelial cell heterogeneity

OBJECTIVE

To review recent advances in the field of endothelial cell heterogeneity, and to apply this knowledge to an understanding of site-specific vasculopathy, including acute lung injury.

DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION

Published research and review articles in the English language related to endothelial cell biology and endothelial cell heterogeneity.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

The results of published studies have been used to provide a perspective of endothelial cell phenotypes in health and disease.

CONCLUSIONS

The structure and function of endothelial cells are differentially regulated in space and time. Far from being a giant monopoly of homogeneous cells, the endothelium represents a consortium of smaller enterprises of cells located within blood vessels of different tissues. Although united in certain functions, each enterprise is uniquely adapted to meet the demands of the underlying tissue. The endothelium may also vary in its response to pathophysiologic stimuli and therefore contribute to the focal nature of vasculopathic disease states. In acute lung injury, the unique properties of the endothelium may conspire with systemic imbalances to localize pathology to the pulmonary vasculature.

Cross signaling, cell specificity, and physiology

The literature on intracellular signal transduction presents a confusing picture: every regulatory factor appears to be regulated by all signal transduction cascades and to regulate all cell processes. This contrasts with the known exquisite specificity of action of extracellular signals in different cell types in vivo. The confusion of the in vitro literature is shown to arise from several causes: the inevitable artifacts inherent in reductionism, the arguments used to establish causal effect relationships, the use of less than adequate models (cell lines, transfections, acellular systems, etc.), and the implicit assumption that networks of regulations are universal whereas they are in fact cell and stage specific. Cell specificity results from the existence in any cell type of a unique set of proteins and their isoforms at each level of signal transduction cascades, from the space structure of their components, from their combinatorial logic at each level, from the presence of modulators of signal transduction proteins and of modulators of modulators, from the time structure of extracellular signals and of their transduction, and from quantitative differences of expression of similar sets of factors.

Lipoprotein promotes caveolin-1 and Ras translocation to caveolae: role of cholesterol in endothelial signaling

To explore the role of LDL in caveolin-Ras regulation in human endothelial cells (ECs), we incubated confluent human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with LDL. This resulted in a high steady-state caveolin-1 (Cav-1) expression at both the mRNA and protein levels. LDL exposure appeared not to regulate the abundance of Cav-1. Immunofluorescence staining showed that Cav-1 protein migrated from the cytoplasm to the cell membrane after LDL exposure. Cav-1 protein and cholesterol partitioned mainly into the caveola fractions, and LDL increased both Cav-1 and cholesterol in these fractions. Ras protein in caveola fractions was also increased by LDL. Increased Ras was detected in Cav-1 immunoprecipitated samples, and conversely, increased Cav-1 was found in Ras-immunoprecipitated samples. We also demonstrated LDL-increased Ras activity in HUVECs by measuring the GTP/GTP+GDP ratio of Ras with [(32)P]orthophosphate labeling in the cells. Finally, we determined the binding of [(3)H]-labeled free cholesterol and recombinant H-Ras to Cav-1 fusion proteins in vitro. Both cholesterol and Ras bound to full-length GST-Cav-1, scaffolding domain (61-101), and C-terminal (135-178) Cav-1 fusion peptides. Addition of cholesterol enhanced Ras binding to the full-length and scaffolding domain of Cav-1 but not to the C-terminal Cav-1. These findings strongly suggest a role for Cav-1 in cholesterol trafficking and cholesterol-mediated intracellular signaling, which may mediate EC activation by LDL.

Shear stress induces spatial reorganization of the endothelial cell cytoskeleton

The morphology of endothelial cells in vivo depends on the local hemodynamic forces. Cells are polygonal and randomly oriented in areas of low shear stress, but they are elongated and aligned in the direction of fluid flow in regions of high shear stress. Endothelial cells in vitro also have a polygonal shape, but the application of shear stress orients and elongates the cells in the direction of fluid flow. The corresponding spatial reorganization of the cytoskeleton in response to the applied hemodynamic forces is unknown. In this study, we determined the spatial reorganization of the cytoskeleton throughout the volume of cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells after the cells had been exposed to a physiological level of shear stress for 0, 1.5, 3, 6, 12, or 24 h. The response of the monolayer to shear stress was not monotonic; it had three distinct phases. The first phase occurred within 3 h. The cells elongated and had more stress fibers, thicker intercellular junctions, and more apical microfilaments. After 6 h of exposure, the monolayer entered the second phase, where the cells exhibited characteristics of motility. The cells lost their dense peripheral bands and had more of their microtubule organizing centers and nuclei located in the upstream region of the cell. The third phase began after 12 h of exposure and was characterized by elongated cells oriented in the direction of fluid flow. The stress fibers in these cells were thicker and longer, and the heights of the intercellular junctions and microfilaments were increased. These results suggest that endothelial cells initially respond to shear stress by enhancing their attachments to the substrate and neighboring cells. The cells then demonstrate characteristics of motility as they realign. The cells eventually thicken their intercellular junctions and increase the amount of apical microfilaments. The time course of rearrangement can be described as a constrained motility that produces a new cytoskeletal organization that alters how the forces produced by fluid flow act on the cell and how the forces are transmitted to the cell interior and substrate.

The influence of xenotransplant immunogenicity and immunosuppression on host MHC expression in the rat CNS

During the early stages following neural transplantation, host immune responses are initiated that are not normally found in the CNS including the induction of major histocompatibility antigens (MHC I and II). Previous laboratory findings have demonstrated prolonged survival of bovine chromaffin cells (BCC) in the rat CNS following transient immunosuppression with cyclosporin A (CSA) providing chromaffin cells are isolated from highly immunogenic passenger cells. To assess the influence of passenger and chromaffin cells on host MHC I and II expression, either BCC, nonchromaffin cell adrenal constituents (NCC), or adrenal medullary endothelial cells (EC) were implanted into the host. At 2 weeks postimplantation, robust BCC survival was obtained in CSA-treated animals. This correlated with low expression of MHC I at the host-graft border and the virtual absence of MHC II. Good BCC survival with reduced MHC I expression only was seen at 6 weeks postimplantation in animals transiently immunosuppressed (4 weeks). In contrast, poor survival was seen in the EC group (even with CSA treatment). In addition, marked MHC I and II expression was found in and around these grafts at 2 weeks, and was particularly intense in EC implanted animals. The results of this study suggest that nonchromaffin passenger cells in BCC preparations, most notably endothelial cells, can induce strong immune responses even in the presence of immunosuppression. Based on MHC staining, removal of these passenger cells can reduce host responses and improve long term survival of xenogeneic chromaffin cells in the CNS.

Endocytosis of horseradish peroxidase by brain microvascular and umbilical vein endothelial cells in culture: an ultrastructural and morphometric study

The ability to form tight junctions and the paucity of fluid phase endocytosis showed by brain microvacular endothelial cells (BMECs) make up the structural basis of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Most studies on cultured BMECs focused on intercellular junctions, whereas endocytosis received lesser attention. We studied endocytosis of horseradish peroxidase in primary and passage 1 and 2 BMEC cultures from rat brain as well as in human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) culture. Endocytic activity was also analyzed in passage 1 BMECs treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 microg/ml for 4 h), which mimics BBB disruption in bacterial meningoencephalitis. The percent of cytoplasmic area occupied by endocytic profiles (vesicles <70 nm and vacuoles >70 nm) and their mean number per cell were significantly lower in primary and passaged BMEC than in HUVEC cultures. The area and number of endocytic profiles significantly increased in BMECs after exposure to LPS. BMECs cultured under standard conditions may be a suitable model for studying the mechanism of increased fluid phase endocytosis in certain diseases and injury states.

Bovine microvascular endothelial cells of separate morphology differ in growth and response to the action of interferon-gamma

Five cell types recently isolated from the bovine corpus luteum differed in their epithelioid morphology and their cytoskeleton, but shared common criteria of microvascular endothelial cells. To give strong evidence for the separate entity, the growth rate of the 5 phenotypically different cells was studied. They were seeded at low density on day 0. Most of these cells were treated with 200 to 1000 U recombinant bovine interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) for 3 days. The untreated remainder served as controls. Cell counts were made for all cultures on days 4, 7, 10 and 13. Morphology: 13 d after treatment with IFN-gamma senescent cells as well as intact cells occurred in cultures of cell types 1 to 4. Cultures of cell type 5 were apparently unchanged and resembled their untreated counterparts. Desmin-positive cells in cultures of cell type 2 developed cell processes. Growth rate: In the absence of IFN-gamma, the growth rate was high for cell types 3 and 4, moderate for cell type 1, and low for cell types 2 and 5. The presence of IFN-gamma caused anti-proliferative effects. These were higher for cell types 3 and 4 than for cell types 1 and 2. IFN-gamma could be cytotoxic on cell type 3. In contrast, the cytokine tended to support the cell growth of cell type 5. These findings substantiate the postulate that endothelial cells exhibiting separate morphology in culture also function differently.

The identification of glioblastoma-associated, fucose-containing glycoproteins induced by retinoic acid

We have used a tumorigenic glioblastoma cell line, SNB-19, as a model system to identify fucose-containing glycoprotein candidates for tumor suppressor function. Glycoproteins were analyzed after treatment with a variety of chemical differentiating agents by two-dimensional SDS-PAGE, followed by electroblotting and visualization using the fucose-specific lectin, Ulex europeaus I. Approximately 25 fucose-containing glycoproteins (FUCGLAPs) were routinely visualized in control extracts using 60-70 micrograms of protein per gel and staining with Vectastain ABC kits. Retinoic acid induced the most marked change in FUCGLAP expression, causing a fivefold increase in one FUCGLAP (M(r) = 125 kDa, pI = 6.6). Neither butyric acid, dibutyryl cAMP, nor combinations of these compounds gave a similar result. Using this model system and analytical approach, it should be possible to identify, isolate, and evaluate glycoprotein oligosaccharides for their tumor modulating capability.

Isolation and characterization of cerebral resistance vessel endothelium in culture

Organ-derived endothelia have been shown to exhibit distinct patterns of morphology and growth responsiveness in vitro. This report describes the development, cloning and establishment of long-term serial cultures of rat vascular endothelial cells derived from cerebrocortical resistance vessels (small arteries and arterioles). Modification of our previous published technique for establishing resistance vessel-derived smooth muscle cells (RV-SMC) resulted in enhanced levels of endothelial outgrowth from collagenase-treated microvessel fragments. Although primary culture growth consisted predominantly of SMC, subsequent subcultivation of these cultures revealed the presence of distinct endothelial cell clusters within the SMC monolayer. Serial cloning of these isolates resulted in a homogeneous population of cells with the characteristic endothelial cobblestone growth pattern and positive immunofluorescence for factor VIII-related antigen. Previously established RV-SMC frozen stocks provided an additional source for obtaining resistance vessel endothelial cells. This was made possible by the slow proliferation rate of early-passage RV-SMC and their inability to withstand freezing procedures. Endothelial cells from both preparations were identical and designated resistance vessel derived endothelial cells RV-EC. Upon long-term cultivation (> P15), confluent RV-EC cultures expressed spontaneous multicellular cord development that stained positive for factor VIII-related antigen. Cell growth studies demonstrated that RV-EC were capable of significant growth when maintained in serum-free conditions. Growth kinetics using serum-free conditioned medium demonstrated mitogenic activity indicating the presence of an autocrine growth factor. Increase growth responsiveness was also noted in RV-EC when treated with a variety of peptide growth factors. These results indicate that resistance vessel endothelium can be successfully isolated and maintained in long-term serial cultures. Furthermore, the availability of cultured EC and SMC from this unique microvascular site will enable examination of cerebrovascular endothelial-smooth muscle cell interactions in vitro and may help to elucidate the mechanisms of altered vascular function in disease states.

Human microvessel endothelial cells: isolation, culture and characterization

Over recent years, interest in endothelial cell biology has increased dramatically with our ability to grow and study endothelial cells in vitro. While large veins and arteries remain a quick and convenient source of endothelial cells, the great morphological, biochemical and functional heterogeneity that endothelial cells express has necessitated the development of techniques to isolate microvessel endothelial cells from different tissues to create more realistic in vitro models. The majority of isolation procedures employ selective methods to enrich microvessel endothelial cells from tissue homogenates directly, or after a period in culture. These include sieving/filtration, manual weeding, isopycnic centrifugation, selective growth media, and the use of flow cytometry or magnetic beads coupled with specific endothelial cell markers. The establishment of pure endothelial cell populations is important for studying their biochemistry and physiology and there are many morphological, immunological and biochemical criteria which can be used to characterize human endothelial cells. These range from classical markers such as von Willebrand Factor and angiotensin-converting enzyme to novel markers like platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD31) and the expression of E-selectin on cytokine-activated endothelial cells.

Isolation and characterization of microvessel endothelial cells from human mammary adipose tissue

A method for the isolation and long-term culture of human microvessel endothelial cells from mammary adipose tissue (HuMMEC) obtained at breast reduction surgery has been developed. Pure cultures of HuMMEC were isolated by sequential digestion of the fat with collagenase and trypsin followed by specific selection of microvessel fragments with Ulex europaeus agglutinin-1 coated magnetic beads (Dynabeads). The resulting cells formed contact-inhibited monolayers on gelatin and fibronectin substrates and capillary-like "tubes" on Matrigel; they also expressed von Willebrand factor, angiotensin-converting enzyme, and accumulated acetylated low density lipoprotein. Further immunofluorescence characterization revealed the presence of antigens for the endothelial cell specific monoclonal antibodies EN4 and H4-7/33. In addition, the origin of these cells was confirmed by the demonstration of the cell adhesion molecules, platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD31), and endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1/E-selectin) upon stimulation with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha. HuMMEC were found to express-1 ELAM-1 at lower levels of TNF alpha (< 10 ng/ml) than required by human umbilical vein endothelial cells. These cells should provide a useful in vitro model for studying various aspects of microvascular biology and pathology.

Organ-specific change in Dolichos biflorus lectin binding by myocardial endothelial cells during in vitro cultivation

Endothelial cells of the NMRI mouse strain express a cell surface glycoprotein recognized by the lectin Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA). This study documents a marked organ-specific increase in DBA-specific lectin binding of myocardium-derived endothelial cells (MEC) of the NMRI/GSF mouse during in vitro cultivation. An up to 20-fold increase in DBA binding sites is observed in long-term culture, an increase not found in other NMRI-derived endothelial cell lines (e.g., brain, aorta). The increase appears restricted to DBA in that binding with other lectins (PNA, WGA) was unaltered. NMRI MEC cultures maintain typical endothelial cell attributes such as cobblestone morphology on confluence, expression of endothelial cell-specific surface markers, and production of angiotensin-converting enzyme. Cultures routinely become aneuploid within 4 passages, several passages before upregulation of the DBA binding site(s). Myocardial endothelial cells sorted to obtain DBAhi and DBAlo cell populations generally maintained their sorted phenotype for 3 to 4 passages. Limiting dilution cloning resulted in clones varying in DBA expression. Clones for DBAhi expression maintained their DBA affinity for at least 10 passages (> 30 doublings), whereas DBAlo clones gave rise to varying numbers of DBAhi cells within 2 to 4 passages. We hypothesize that the change in DBA affinity accompanies in vitro aging, that the change is independent of alterations in karyotype, and that the increase in DBA affinity may reflect a change in one or more other endothelial cell properties. Additional studies will be necessary to determine whether the in vitro changes are correlated with specific functional alterations and whether they accurately reflect progressive changes of MEC in vivo.

Dexamethasone selectively regulates the activity of enzymatic markers of cerebral endothelial cell lines

Two endothelial cell lines were derived from grafts of the central nervous system using retrovirus mediated gene transfer to introduce the polyoma middle-T oncogene into fetal rat brain endothelial cells and transplantation of these cells into adult rat brain. In this report, we further characterize these cells and the effect of dexamethasone on the expression of specific enzymatic markers. These cells take up acetylated low density lipoprotein, leucine, and glucose, and express Factor VIII-related antigen, angiotensin converting enzyme, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, and as yet undescribed aminopeptidase A and B-like enzymes. When grown on semi-permeable membranes, these transformed cells do not spontaneously retain small hydrophilic molecules. In culture, one of the lines (EC 193) forms a confluent monolayer of spindle-shaped cells homogenously expressing gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase at a level comparable to primary cells. The other cell line (EC 219) grows as clusters of elongated cells, and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase activity is expressed mainly in cells forming the clusters. This clustered pattern changes to a confluent one after culture on type-I collagen. Dexamethasone increases angiotensin-converting enzyme activity, and decreases the expression of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase and aminopeptidase A, whereas the aminopeptidase B activity is little modified. Inhibition of aminopeptidase A activity by amastatin, potentiates angiotensin II effects on DNA synthesis. These results indicate that retrovirally transformed brain endothelial cells are a useful model for studying the blood-brain barrier in vitro and that dexamethasone, an agent with the potential to reduce brain edema, directly affects some blood-brain barrier properties in these endothelial cell lines.

The impenetrability of 5-(N-hexadecanoyl)aminofluoroscein through endothelial cell monolayers is dependent upon its solution properties, not the presence of tight junctions

The solution properties of two fluorescent lipophilic analogues were examined in conjunction with their ability to penetrate the tight junctions of bovine aortic endothelial cell monolayers. 5-(N-dodecanoyl)aminofluoroscein was shown to label both the apical and basolateral plasma membrane domains of confluent monolayers at 4 degrees C and pH 7.3, but 5-(N-hexadecanoyl)aminofluoroscein was shown to label only the apical membrane domain. When used under more soluble conditions at 20 degrees C and pH 8.5, both probes labeled apical and basolateral plasma membrane domains more equally. This indicates that solubility conditions, and not tight junctions, dictate the penetration of 5-(N-hexadecanoyl)aminofluoroscein from the apical to the basolateral plasma membrane domain.