Induction of CRP3/MLP expression during vein arterialization is dependent on stretch rather than shear stress.
OBJECTIVE
Cysteine- and glycine-rich protein 3/muscle LIM-domain protein (CRP3/MLP) mediates protein-protein interaction with actin filaments in the heart and is involved in muscle differentiation and vascular remodelling. Here, we assessed the induction of CRP3/MLP expression during arterialization in human and rat veins.


RESULTS
Vascular CRP3/MLP expression was mainly observed in arterial samples from both human and rat. Using quantitative real time RT-PCR, we demonstrated that the CRP3/MLP expression was 10 times higher in smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from human mammary artery (h-MA) vs. saphenous vein (h-SV). In endothelial cells (ECs), CRP3/MLP was scarcely detected in either h-MA or h-SV. Using an ex vivo flow through system that mimics arterial condition, we observed induction of CRP3/MLP expression in arterialized h-SV. Interestingly, the upregulation of CRP3/MLP was primarily dependent on stretch stimulus in SMCs, rather than shear stress in ECs. Finally, using a rat vein in vivo arterialization model, early (1-14 days) CRP3/MLP immunostaining was observed predominantly in the inner layer and later (28-90 days) it appeared more scattered in the vessel layers.


CONCLUSIONS
Here we provide evidence that CRP3/MLP is primarily expressed in arterial SMCs and that stretch is the main stimulus for CRP3/MLP induction in veins exposed to arterial haemodynamic conditions.
Laboratory of Genetic and Molecular Cardiology, Heart Institute , University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Av. Dr. Eneas C. Aguiar, 44-10 andar, Sao Paulo SP, Brazil.
Luciene Cristina Gastalho
LC
Campos
Ayumi Aurea
AA
Miyakawa
Valerio Garrone
VG
Barauna
Leandro
L
Cardoso
Thaiz Ferraz
TF
Borin
Luis Alberto de Oliveira
LA
Dallan
Jose Eduardo
JE
Krieger
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D060588:LIM Domain Proteins; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012026:Reflex, Stretch / Q000502:physiology*; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000378:metabolism*; D033081:Shear Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical
D060588:LIM Domain Proteins; D009124:Muscle Proteins; C090114:cysteine and glycine-rich protein 3