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Shear stress inhibits adhesion molecule expression in vascular endothelial cells induced by coculture with smooth muscle cells

Authors :
Shu Chien
Leu Wei Lo
Shunichi Usami
Chih I. Lee
Jeng Jiann Chiu
Li Jing Chen
Pei Ling Lee
Source :
Blood. 101:2667-2674
Publication Year :
2003
Publisher :
American Society of Hematology, 2003.

Abstract

Vascular endothelial cells (ECs), which exist in close proximity to vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), are constantly subjected to blood flow–induced shear stress. Although the effect of shear stress on endothelial biology has been extensively studied, the influence of SMCs on endothelial response to shear stress remains largely unexplored. We examined the potential role of SMCs in regulating the shear stress–induced gene expression in ECs, using a parallel-plate coculture flow system in which these 2 types of cells were separated by a porous membrane. In this coculture system, SMCs tended to orient perpendicularly to the flow direction, whereas the ECs were elongated and aligned with the flow direction. Under static conditions, coculture with SMCs induced EC gene expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin, while attenuating EC gene expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Shear stress significantly inhibited SMC-induced adhesion molecule gene expression. These EC responses under static and shear conditions were not observed in the absence of close communication between ECs and SMCs, and they were also not observed when ECs were cocultured with fibroblasts instead of SMCs. Our findings indicate that under static conditions, coculture with SMCs induces ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin gene expression in ECs. These coculture effects are inhibited by shear stress and require specific interaction between ECs and SMCs in close contact.

Details

ISSN :
15280020 and 00064971
Volume :
101
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Blood
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....e39d1200b768fece5ba81c64df4aa3f0
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1182/blood-2002-08-2560