Expression of endothelin-1 and constitutional nitric oxide synthase messenger RNA in saphenous vein endothelial cells exposed to arterial flow shear stress.
BACKGROUND
It has long been speculated that increased blood flow shear stress might be one of the major factors affecting the patency of grafted saphenous vein in coronary artery bypass operations. The underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms for so-called "shear stress damage" have not yet been well elucidated.


METHODS
Endothelial cells harvested from human saphenous vein were cultured in vitro and then exposed to a high arterial level flow shear stress in the parallel flow chamber. The expression levels of endothelin-1 and constitutional nitric oxide synthase by the endothelial cells were evaluated semiquantitatively at the gene transcription (messenger RNA) level using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.


RESULTS
After 7 hours of exposure to arterial level shear stress, the expression of constitutional nitric oxide synthase messenger RNA by saphenous vein endothelial cells was significantly reduced, whereas the expression of endothelin-1 messenger RNA was substantially increased. These changes were more predominant at 24 hours.


CONCLUSIONS
Arterial level flow shear stress could cause important changes in the gene transcription level in saphenous vein endothelial cells within a short period of time. The functional alterations of saphenous vein endothelial cells, as manifested by the increased expression of endothelin-1 and decreased expression of nitric oxide synthase messenger RNA, might play a crucial role in the vein graft remodeling process.
Zhu
Z G
ZG
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, ChangHai Hospital of Second Military Medical University, People's Republic of China.
Li
H H
HH
Zhang
B R
BR
D001158:Arteries; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism*; D018056:Hemorheology; D006801:Humans; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000378:metabolism*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D019332:Endothelin-1; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase