Composition, biophysical properties, and morphometry of plasma membranes in pulmonary interstitial edema.
We evaluated the changes in plasma membrane composition, biophysical properties, and morphology of pulmonary endothelial cells in anesthetized rabbits receiving 0.5 ml. kg(-1). min(-1) saline infusion for 180 min, causing mild interstitial edema. Plasma membrane fractions were obtained from lung homogenates with gradient centrifugation, allowing a sixfold enrichment in caveolin-1. In edematous lungs, cholesterol content and phospholipidic phosphorus increased by 15 and 40%, respectively. These data correlated with morphometric analysis of lungs fixed in situ by vascular perfusion with 2.5% glutaraldehyde, suggesting a relative increase in surface of luminal to interstitial front of the capillary endothelial cells, due to a convoluted luminal profile. In edematous lungs, the fraction of double-bound fatty acids increased in membrane lipids; moreover, the phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylethanolamine and the cholesterol/phospholipid ratios decreased. These changes were consistent with the increase in fluorescence anisotropy of plasma membrane, indicating an increase in its fluidity. Data suggest that mechanical stimuli elicited by a modest (approximately 4%) increase in extravascular water cause marked changes in plasma membranes that may be of relevance in signal transduction and endothelial cell activation.
Palestini
Paola
P
Department of Experimental, Environmental Medicine and Biotechnology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza 20052, Italy.
Calvi
Chiara
C
Conforti
Elena
E
Botto
Laura
L
Fenoglio
Carla
C
Miserocchi
Giuseppe
G
D000818:Animals; D055592:Biophysical Phenomena; D001703:Biophysics; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000032:analysis; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis; D005454:Fluorescence Polarization; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D008168:Lung / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008560:Membrane Fluidity; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000032:analysis; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011817:Rabbits; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D013499:Surface Properties
D005227:Fatty Acids; D008055:Lipids; D010743:Phospholipids; D010758:Phosphorus; D002784:Cholesterol; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase