title: Regulation of valve endothelial cell vasculogenic network architectures with ROCK and Rac inhibitors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The age- and disease-dependent presence of microvessels within heart valves is an understudied characteristic of these tissues. Neovascularization involves endothelial cell (EC) migration and cytoskeletal reorientation, which are heavily regulated by the Rho family of GTPases. Given that valve ECs demonstrate unique mesenchymal transdifferentiation and cytoskeletal mechanoresponsiveness, compared to vascular ECs, this study quantified the effect of inhibiting two members of the Rho family on vasculogenic network formation by valve ECs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A tubule-like structure vasculogenesis assay (assessing lacunarity, junction density, and vessel density) was performed with porcine aortic valve ECs treated with small molecule inhibitors of Rho-associated serine-threonine protein kinase (ROCK), Y-27632, or the Rac1 inhibitor, NSC-23766. Actin coordination, cell number, and cell migration were assessed through immunocytochemistry, MTT assay, and scratch wound healing assay. ROCK inhibition reduced network lacunarity and interrupted proper cell-cell adhesion and actin coordination. Rac1 inhibition increased lacunarity and delayed actin-mediated network formation. ROCK inhibition alone significantly inhibited migration, whereas both ROCK and Rac1 inhibition significantly reduced cell number over time compared to controls. Compared to a vascular EC line, the valve ECs generated a network with larger total vessel length, but a less smooth appearance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both ROCK and Rac1 inhibition interfered with key processes in vascular network formation by valve ECs. This is the first report of manipulation of valve EC vasculogenic organization in response to small molecule inhibitors. Further study is warranted to comprehend this facet of valvular cell biology and pathology and how it differs from vascular biology.
authors: Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.
authors: C Alexander
authors: CA
authors: Arevalos
authors: Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.
authors: Amanda T
authors: AT
authors: Walborn
authors: Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.
authors: Amanda A
authors: AA
authors: Rupert
authors: Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.
authors: Jonathan M
authors: JM
authors: Berg
authors: Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.
authors: Elizabeth L
authors: EL
authors: Godfrey
authors: Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA.
authors: Jacqueline M V
authors: JM
authors: Nguyen
authors: Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA. Electronic address: grande@rice.edu.
authors: K Jane
authors: KJ
authors: Grande-Allen
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000577:Amides / Q000737:chemistry; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000378:metabolism*; D002450:Cell Communication; D002465:Cell Movement; D054338:Cell Transdifferentiation; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry*; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D011725:Pyridines / Q000737:chemistry; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000737:chemistry; D013552:Swine; D014945:Wound Healing; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D000577:Amides; D000634:Aminoquinolines; C487513:NSC 23766; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011725:Pyridines; D011743:Pyrimidines; C108830:Y 27632; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases
keywords: Aortic valve; Rac1; Rho kinase; Valve endothelial cell; Vasculogenesis