Up-regulation of integrin beta 3 expression by cyclic stretch in human umbilical endothelial cells.
The effect of uni-axial cyclic mechanical stretch on the expression of the adhesion protein integrin was investigated. Human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs) cultured on fibronectin coated silicon membranes were subjected to uni-axial cyclic stretch. The level of expression of integrin beta 3 mRNA was found to be increased and peaked at 4 hours in response to cyclic stretch using a semiquantitative RT-PCR method. The increased level of the integrin mRNA from stretched HUVECs remained higher than that from non-stretched controls. The amount of integrin beta 3 also increased and peaked at 12 hr. Immuno-fluorescent microscopy revealed that the amount of integrin beta 3 adhesions increased in stretched HUVECs compared with that in non-stretched HUVECs. These results suggest that uni-axial cyclic stretch up-regulates the expression of integrin beta 3. This increase in integrin beta 3 may enhance the adhesiveness to the substratum and contribute to the protection of HUVECs against being peeled off from the vessel wall.
Suzuki
M
M
First Department of Surgery, Department of Physiology, Nagoya University School of Medicine, Japan.
Naruse
K
K
Asano
Y
Y
Okamoto
T
T
Nishikimi
N
N
Sakurai
T
T
Nimura
Y
Y
Sokabe
M
M
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D048429:Cell Size / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D039661:Integrin beta3; D016023:Integrins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014471:Umbilical Veins; D015854:Up-Regulation
D015703:Antigens, CD; D039661:Integrin beta3; D016023:Integrins; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012194:RNA-Directed DNA Polymerase