Shear stress inhibits adhesion molecule expression in vascular endothelial cells induced by coculture with smooth muscle cells.
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.
Chiu
Jeng-Jiann
JJ
Division of Medical Engineering Research, National Health Research Institutes, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China. jjchiu@nhri.org.tw
Chen
Li-Jing
LJ
Lee
Pei-Ling
PL
Lee
Chih-I
CI
Lo
Leu-Wei
LW
Usami
Shunichi
S
Chien
Shu
S
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000235:genetics; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D018056:Hemorheology; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000166:cytology*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000096:biosynthesis; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000166:cytology; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis
D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D019040:E-Selectin; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; C496314:NOS3 protein, human; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III