Regulation of the atheroma-enriched protein, SPRR3, in vascular smooth muscle cells through cyclic strain is dependent on integrin alpha1beta1/collagen interaction

Atherosclerotic plaques express high levels of small proline-rich repeat protein (SPRR3), a previously characterized component of the cornified cell envelope of stratified epithelia, where it is believed to play a role in cellular adaptation to biomechanical stress. We investigated the physiological signals and underlying mechanism(s) that regulate atheroma-enriched SPRR3 expression in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). We showed that SPRR3 is expressed by VSMCs in both human and mouse atheromas. In cultured arterial VSMCs, mechanical cyclic strain, but neither shear stress nor lipid loading induced SPRR3 expression. Furthermore, this upregulation of SPRR3 expression was dependent on VSMC adherence to type I collagen. To link the mechanoregulation of SPRR3 to specific collagen/integrin interactions, we used blocking antibodies against either integrin α1 or α2 subunits and VSMCs from mice that lack specific collagen receptors. Our results showed a dependence on the α1β1 integrin for SPRR3 expression induced by cyclic strain. Furthermore, we showed that integrin α1 but not α2 subunits were expressed on VSMCs within mouse lesions but not in normal arteries. Therefore, we identified the enrichment of the mechanical strain-regulated protein SPRR3 in VSMCs of both human and mouse atherosclerotic lesions whose expression is dependent on the collagen-binding integrin α1β1 on VSMCs. These data suggest that SPRR3 may play a role in VSMC adaptation to local biomechanical stress within the plaque microenvironment.     

Atheromas Feel the Pressure : Biomechanical Stress and Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis, a chronic vascular disease, is the underlying cause of over half the deaths in the United States each year. Variations in local vascular hemodynamics predispose select sites in the vasculature to atherosclerosis, and the atherosclerotic lesions, in turn alter the biomechanical functioning of the local microenvironment, the consequences of which are not well understood on a molecular level. Further progress in the field of atherosclerosis will require an understanding of the relationship between biomechanics, the tissue microenvironment, and the cellular and molecular response to these factors. This review summarizes this field, particularly within the context of the vascular smooth muscle cell.Biomechanics play a vital role in vascular biology, affecting the cells of arteries and veins under both physiological and pathological conditions. While many studies have shown that the development of atherosclerosis is particularly associated with specific alterations of biomechanical forces, the effect of biomechanics on an established atheroma is less well studied. This minireview aims to describe the role of biomechanics in the vasculature, particularly in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of large arteries, in normal and atherosclerotic conditions.Two of the primary mechanical stimuli experienced by normal large arteries are shear stress and cyclic strain.¹ By contrast, veins experience only very low levels of either.² Shear stress is experienced by the endothelium as blood flows through the lumen. While endothelial cells are the primary sensors of shear stress, some stress may be relayed to the VSMCs by transmural transmission through the extracellular matrix (ECM).³ Unlike shear stress, cyclic strain affects both endothelial cells and VSMCs, as well as, though to a lesser degree, adventitial fibroblasts.⁴ The effects of cyclic strain on VSMCs have been the subject of much study in the recent decades, and many methods have been developed for exposing cells and tissues to cyclic strain both in vitro and ex vivo (an in depth discussion of the topic can be found in a review by Brown).⁵ While cyclic strain is a major determinant of normal VSMC physiology, it also plays a pivotal role in various pathologies, including hypertension, vein-graft intimal hyperplasia and failure, restenosis, and atherosclerosis.⁶     

Circumferentially aligned fibers guided functional neoartery regeneration in vivo

An ideal vascular graft should have the ability to guide the regeneration of neovessels with structure and function similar to those of the native blood vessels. Regeneration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) with circumferential orientation within the grafts is crucial for functional vascular reconstruction in vivo. To date, designing and fabricating a vascular graft with well-defined geometric cues to facilitate simultaneously VSMCs infiltration and their circumferential alignment remains a great challenge and scarcely reported in vivo. Thus, we have designed a bi-layered vascular graft, of which the internal layer is composed of circumferentially aligned microfibers prepared by wet-spinning and an external layer composed of random nanofibers prepared by electrospinning. While the internal circumferentially aligned microfibers provide topographic guidance for in vivo regeneration of circumferentially aligned VSMCs, the external random nanofibers can offer enhanced mechanical property and prevent bleeding during and after graft implantation. VSMCs infiltration and alignment within the scaffold was then evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Our results demonstrated that the circumferentially oriented VSMCs and longitudinally aligned ECs were successfully regenerated in vivo after the bi-layered vascular grafts were implanted in rat abdominal aorta. No formation of thrombosis or intimal hyperplasia was observed up to 3 month post implantation. Further, the regenerated neoartery exhibited contraction and relaxation property in response to vasoactive agents. This new strategy may bring cell-free small diameter vascular grafts closer to clinical application.     

Rab28相关信号通路在低切应力诱导 血管平滑肌细胞迁移中的作用

目的 研究低切应力（low shear stress, LowSS）诱导的血管平滑肌细胞（vascular smooth muscle cells, VSMCs）迁移功能异常在动脉粥样硬化血管重建病理过程中的作用及其分子机制。 方法 应用双向凝胶电泳结合质谱分析的差异蛋白质组学方法,研究1.5 Pa正常切应力（normal shear stress, NSS）与0.5 Pa LowSS条件下培养血管组织的蛋白质差异表达谱。应用血管内皮细胞（endothelial cells, ECs）与VSMCs联合培养的平行平板流动腔系统,分别施加NSS和LowSS,Western blot检测ECs与VSMCs的Rab28表达水平以及VSMCs的磷酸化ERK表达水平;Transwell法检测VSMCs的迁移能力;RNA干扰和PD98059分别特异性抑制VSMCs的Rab28表达和ERK磷酸化,再观察VSMCs迁移能力变化。结果 血管差异蛋白质组学的结果发现,与NSS组相比,Rab28在LowSS组血管组织的表达水平明显升高。细胞实验结果显示,LowSS加载明显上调VSMCs的Rab28蛋白表达、VSMCs迁移和ERK磷酸化。静态条件下RNA干扰抑制单独培养VSMCs的Rab28表达,VSMCs迁移能力明显降低,但ERK磷酸化水平无明显变化;应用PD98059特异性抑制VSMCs的ERK磷酸化,VSMCs迁移能力和Rab28表达水平均明显降低。结论 LowSS可能通过上调VSMCs的ERK磷酸化水平引起Rab28表达水平增加,从而诱导VSMCs迁移。探讨Rab28及其相关信号通路在切应力调控VSMCs功能中的作用及其机制,可能为深入理解动脉粥样硬化血管重建疾病发病机制和寻找新的药物治疗靶点提供力学生物学依据。     

Long-range comparison of human and mouse Sprr loci to identify conserved noncoding sequences involved in coordinate regulation

Mammalian epidermis provides a permeability barrier between an organism and its environment. Under homeostatic conditions, epidermal cells produce structural proteins, which are cross-linked in an orderly fashion to form a cornified envelope (CE). However, under genetic or environmental stress, specific genes are induced to rapidly build a temporary barrier. Small proline-rich (SPRR) proteins are the primary constituents of the CE. Under stress the entire family of 14 Sprr genes is upregulated. The Sprr genes are clustered within the larger epidermal differentiation complex on mouse chromosome 3, human chromosome 1q21. The clustering of the Sprr genes and their upregulation under stress suggest that these genes may be coordinately regulated. To identify enhancer elements that regulate this stress response activation of the Sprr locus, we utilized bioinformatic tools and classical biochemical dissection. Long-range comparative sequence analysis identified conserved noncoding sequences (CNSs). Clusters of epidermal-specific DNaseI-hypersensitive sites (HSs) mapped to specific CNSs. Increased prevalence of these HSs in barrier-deficient epidermis provides in vivo evidence of the regulation of the Sprr locus by these conserved sequences. Individual components of these HSs were cloned, and one was shown to have strong enhancer activity specific to conditions when the Sprr genes are coordinately upregulated.     

Reduced cyclic stretch,endothelial dysfunction,and oxidative stress: an ex vivo model

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to investigate whether reduction of cyclic circumferential stretch will impair endothelial function and elevate basal levels of oxidative stress, both known risk factors linked to cardiovascular disease.MethodsEx vivo and in vitro models were used to perfuse porcine carotid arteries and porcine endothelial cells, respectively, for 24 h. In both cases, one group was allowed to stretch naturally when exposed to a pulse shear stress (6±3 dynes/cm²) combined with a pulse pressure of 80±10 mmHg, yielding a physiological cyclic stretch of 4–5%. This group was compared to a reduced stretch group, achieved by wrapping the arterial segment with a silicon band or by seeding the endothelial cells inside less compliant tubes, decreasing cyclic stretch to 1%.ResultsThe experimentally reduced compliance caused a significant decrease in bradykinin-dependent vascular relaxation. Reduced compliance significantly decreased the phosphorylation of serine 1177 (Ser1177) on eNOS, suggesting the activity of eNOS was decreased. Overall production of reactive oxygen species was increased by reducing compliance, as visualized with DHE. Finally, p22-phox and p47-phox, key players in the superoxide-generating NAD(P)H oxidase, were also up-regulated by reduced compliance.ConclusionsThese findings point out how reduced arterial compliance increases the risk of arterial disease by creating a less functional endothelium, interrupting the eNOS activation pathway, and increasing the vascular levels of oxidative stress.     

活化激酶C受体1在切应力调控血管平滑肌细胞增殖中的作用

目的 探讨活化激酶C受体1（receptor for actived C kinase 1, RACK1）在内皮细胞（endothelial cells, ECs）感受切应力刺激调控血管平滑肌细胞(vascular smooth muscle cells,VSMCs)增殖中的作用及其机制。方法 应用平行平板流动腔系统,对联合培养的大鼠ECs和VSMCs施加1.5 Pa正常切应力（normal shear stress, NSS）和0.5 Pa低切应力（low shear stress,LowSS）,应用BrdU ELISA方法检测VSMCs增殖水平,对蛋白质组学研究发现的力学响应分子RACK1表达以及Akt磷酸化,应用Western blot技术进行检测。静态条件下,应用RNA干扰技术特异性抑制VSMCs的RACK1表达,检测其对细胞增殖和Akt磷酸化的作用。应用ECs与VSMCs隔开培养和联合培养模型,检测ECs对VSMCs的RACK1表达和Akt磷酸化水平的影响。结果 血管差异蛋白质组学的结果发现,与NSS组相比,RACK1在LowSS组血管组织的表达水平明显升高。细胞实验结果显示,LowSS诱导了与ECs联合培养的VSMCs增殖,上调VSMCs的RACK1表达和Akt磷酸化。静态条件下,特异性抑制VSMCs的RACK1表达后,VSMCs的增殖水平和Akt磷酸化水平均显著下降。与ECs联合培养VSMCs,其RACK1表达和Akt磷酸化水平较隔开培养组均上调。结论 VSMCs的RACK1表达受细胞接触与切应力的影响,并可能通过PI3K/Akt信号通路参与LowSS诱导的VSMCs增殖的调控。探讨VSMCs增殖功能变化及其力学生物学机制对于认识动脉粥样硬化等疾病发病机理和疾病防治有重要意义。     

Diameter and blood velocity changes in the saphenous vein during thermal stress

Although volume, pressure or flow in superficial veins have been studied extensively, little is known about venous blood velocity during thermal stress. Most authors have suggested that the velocity is decreased in the dilated superficial veins during heat stress to facilitate heat loss, and is increased during cooling as the vein is constricted. Duplex ultrasound has been used to study saphenous cross sectional area (CSA) and mean maximal venous blood velocity (BV) in ten healthy volunteers (age 22–31 years). Compared with unstressed mean values, 4.8 (SD 2.6) mm², CSA increased to 9.3 (SD 2.1) mm² (P<0.005) during heat stress and decreased to 2.1 (SD 1.9) mm² (P<0.005) during cold stress. These results are consistent with previous studies, but the absolute CSA of the saphenous vein has never been estimated during thermal stress. The B V increased from 0.07 (SD 0.02) m · s^–1 to 0.29 (SD 0.11) m · s^–1 (P<0.005) during warming. During cooling, BV tended to decrease: 0.05 (SD 0.03) m · s^–1 (N.S). We would suggest that heat loss during thermal stress can be facilitated by the rapid turnover of warm blood, and not (as usually suggested) by the prolonged cooling of each blood sample in the dilated superficial veins.     

Genetic variation in small proline rich protein 2B as a predictor for asthma among children with eczema

BackgroundSmall proline rich protein 2B (SPRR2B) is a skin and lung epithelial protein associated with allergic inflammation in mice that has not been evaluated in human atopic diseases.ObjectiveTo determine whether single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SPRR2B are associated with childhood eczema and with the phenotype of childhood eczema combined with asthma.MethodsGenotyping for SPRR2B and filaggrin (FLG) was performed in 2 independent populations: the Cincinnati Childhood Allergy &; Air Pollution Study (CCAAPS; N = 762; birth-age, 4 years) and the Greater Cincinnati Pediatric Clinical Repository (GCPCR; N = 1152; ages 5–10 years). Eczema and eczema plus asthma were clinical outcomes based on parental report and clinician's diagnosis. Genetic analyses were restricted to whites and adjusted for sex in both cohorts and adjusted for environmental covariates in CCAAPS.ResultsVariants in SPRR2B were not significantly associated with eczema in either cohort after Bonferroni adjustment. Children from both cohorts with the CC genotype of the SPRR2B rs6693927 SNP were at 4 times the risk for eczema plus asthma (adjusted odds ratio, 4.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.5–10.9; P = .005 in CCAAPS; and adjusted odds ratio, 4.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.8–9.1; P < .001 in the GCPCR), however. SNPs in SPRR2B were not in strong linkage disequilibrium with the R501X and del2282 FLG mutations, and these findings were independent of FLG.ConclusionsAn SNP in SPRR2B was predictive of asthma among white children with eczema from 2 independent populations. SPRR2B polymorphisms may serve as important predictive markers for the combined eczema plus asthma phenotype.     

Gene response in endothelial cells cultured on engineered surfaces is regulated by shear stress

In vitro endothelialization of small-diameter synthetic vascular prostheses confluently lined with cultured autologous endothelial cells (ECs) before implantation has been shown to increase their patency. Many authors have studied the effects of shear stress on EC gene response seeded on various substrates showing different gene expression profiles according to cell type, flow times, or shear type with different molecular biology techniques, but few studies have reported any EC gene response to shear stress when cells are seeded on vascular grafts. The purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate whether ECs were able to transduce shear stress at the level of the nucleus. Human saphenous vein ECs were seeded on glass slides coated with gelatin or fibrin glue or on 6-mm fibrin-glue-coated grafts. Then cells were exposed to 12 dyn/cm(2) for 4 h and ribonucleic acid (RNA) were extracted. The relative messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was studied using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction for the following mRNAs: von Willebrand Factor, tissue-plasminogen activator, CD31, vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin, beta(1) integrin, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor type 2. From parallel flow chambers, results have shown similar EC gene response on gelatin and fibrin glue under laminar shear stress with downregulation of prothrombotic genes, as well as upregulation of nonthrombotic genes and upregulation of adhesion molecules such as VE-cadherin, but some discrepancies are noted, with a downregulation of CD31 and kinase insert domain receptor (KDR) for the former, without significant variation for the latter. In comparison, results show upregulation of tissue type plasminogen activator gene and downregulation of KDR, VE-cadherin, and beta(1) integrin genes in ECs lining grafts. To conclude, the major finding of our study is to show that human saphenous vein ECs seeded on fibrin glue (in planar flow chambers or in tubular grafts) can be regulated using shear stress via gene expression changes in a nonthrombotic way.     

Normal Shear Stress and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Modulate Migration of Endothelial Cells Through Histone Deacetylase 6 Activation and Tubulin Acetylation

Endothelial cells (ECs) line the innermost of the blood vessel wall and are constantly subjected to shear stress imposed by blood flow. ECs were also influenced by the neighboring vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The bidirectional communication between ECs and VSMCs modulates vascular homeostasis. In this study, the involvement of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) in modulating migration of ECs co-cultured with VSMCs by the normal level of laminar shear stress (NSS) was investigated. ECs was either cultured alone or co-cultured with VSMCs under static conditions or subjected to NSS of 15 dyne/cm² by using a parallel-plate co-culture flow chamber system. It was demonstrated that both NSS and VSMCs could increase EC migration. The migration level of ECs co-cultured with VSMCs under NSS was not higher than that under the static condition. The process of EC migration regulated by VSMCs and NSS was associated with the increased expression of HDAC6 and low level of acetylated tubulin. The increase in HDAC6 expression was accompanied by a time-dependent decrease in the acetylation of tubulin in ECs co-cultured with VSMCs. Inhibition of the HDAC6 by siRNA or tributyrin, an inhibitor of HDACs, induced a parallel alteration in the migration and the acetylated tubulin of ECs co-cultured with VSMCs. It was observed by immunofluorescence staining that the acetylated tubulin was distributed mostly around the cell nucleus in ECs co-cultured with VSMCs. The results suggest that the NSS may display a protective function on the vascular homeostasis by modulating EC migration to a normal level in a VSMC-dependent manner. This modulation process involves the down-regulation of acetylated tubulin which results from increased HDAC6 activity in ECs.     

FOXO1参与高血压条件下异常张应变诱导的血管平滑肌细胞增殖

目的 探讨高血压条件下异常升高的周期性张应变刺激对血管平滑肌细胞（vascular smooth muscle cells, VSMCs）增殖的影响,以及Forkhead转录因子1（FOXO1）在其中可能的作用。方法 构建腹主动脉缩窄高血压大鼠模型,并以假手术组为对照,应用FX-4000T体外周期性张应变加载系统,分别对VSMCs施加5%的生理性张应变和15%的高血压病理性张应变。Western blot检测VSMCs的FOXO1及p-FOXO1表达水平,BrdU法检测VSMCs 增殖活性。RNA干扰技术抑制VSMCs的FOXO1表达,检测FOXO1、p-FOXO1表达以及VSMCs增殖活性变化。结果 腹主动脉缩窄术后 2和4周,大鼠血压较假手术大鼠明显增高。与假手术大鼠相比,高血压大鼠血管壁细胞增殖活性明显增高,同时 FOXO1及 p-FOXO1表达水平也显著性升高。细胞实验表明,与5%张应变组相比,15%张应变加载显著上调VSMCs的FOXO1、p-FOXO1表达水平,以及VSMCs增殖活性。静态条件下RNA干扰抑制VSMCs的FOXO1及p-FOXO1表达,VSMCs的增殖活性明显降低。结论 高血压病理条件下,异常增高的周期性张应变可能通过促进 FOXO1表达和磷酸化诱导VSMCs增殖。以动物模型观察现象,在细胞分子水平探讨机制,旨在明确FOXO1在高血压血管重建中的作用及其力学生物学机制,为阐明高血压血管重建的发病机理和药物治疗靶标的研究提供新的实验依据。     

Expression of the Proto-oncogene c-myc in Human Stenotic Aortocoronary Bypass Grafts

Proliferation and differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) are central events in vascular pathobiology and play a major role in the development of stenotic and restenotic lesions [15, 27]. The proto-oncogene c-myc and other early cell cycle-regulating genes have been implicated in the induction of cell proliferation and differentiation under diverse pathophysiological conditions [11, 13]. In the present study we analyzed c-myc mRNAexpression by indirect nonradioactive in situ hybridization technique (NISH) in human stenotic venous bypass grafts (n = 32) retrieved during re-do operations of coronary artery disease and compared the results with 28 native veins (vena saphena magna) from the same patients.Stenotic bypass grafts showed enhanced c-myc expression located predominantly in VSMCin the media and neointima (severity score: ++–+++, 32/32 stenotic veins). In native veins we observed only low levels of – c-myc mRNA(severity score: +, 28/28 native veins), all signals were restricted to endothelial cells of either the innermost intimal layer or of the vasa vasorum.Our in situ hybridization studies demonstrate enhanced mRNAexpression of the proto-oncogene c-myc in stenotic venous bypass grafts. These results suggest that – in analogy to other pathophysiological conditions – c-myc exerts essential regulatory functions in cellular events operative during the initiation and progression of venous bypass graft disease.     

Transforming growth factor-β in graft vessels: histology and immunohistochemistry

OBJECTIVES:

The biological functions of transforming growth factor-β signaling that involves Smad proteins have not been previously investigated with respect to coronary artery bypass grafts. The aim of the present study was to observe the immunostaining of proteins that are related to this signaling pathway.

METHODS:

Fifteen remnants of coronary artery bypass grafts, including nine saphenous veins, three radial arteries and three mammary arteries, were collected from 12 patients who were undergoing coronary artery bypass. Hematoxylin and eosin, Masson''s trichrome, and immunohistochemical staining of transforming growth factor-β₁, type I receptor of transforming growth factor-β, Smad2/3, Smad4, and Smad7 were performed.

RESULTS:

The saphenous veins showed more severe intimal degeneration, more severe smooth muscle cell proliferation and more collagen deposition than the arterial grafts, as evidenced by hematoxylin and eosin and Masson''s trichrome stainings. Immunohistochemical assays demonstrated that the majority of the transforming growth factor -β₁ signaling cytokines were primarily localized in the cytoplasm in the medial layers of all three types of grafts, whereas ectopic transforming growth factor-β₁, type I receptor of transforming growth factor-β, and Smad7 overexpressions in the interstices were observed particularly in the saphenous vein and radial arterial grafts.

CONCLUSION:

Enhanced transforming growth factor-β₁ signal transduction with medial smooth muscle cell proliferation and ectopic transforming growth factor-β₁, the presence of the type I receptor of transforming growth factor-β, and Smad7 overexpressions in the extracellular matrix may provide primary evidence for early or late graft failure.     

Anti-Proliferative Effects of Rutin on OLETF Rat Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Stimulated by Glucose Variability

PurposeProliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays a crucial role in atherosclerosis. Rutin is a major representative of the flavonol subclass of flavonoids and has various pharmacological activities. Currently, data are lacking regarding its effects on VSMC proliferation induced by intermittent hyperglycemia. Here, we demonstrate the effects of rutin on VSMC proliferation and migration according to fluctuating glucose levels.ResultsWe found enhanced proliferation and migration of VSMCs when cells were incubated in intermittent high glucose conditions, compared to normal glucose. These effects were lowered upon rutin treatment. Intermittent treatment with high glucose for 72 h increased the expression of phospho-p44/42 MAPK (extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2, ERK1/2), phospho-MEK1/2, phospho-PI3K, phospho-NF-κB, phospho-BMK1, and ROS, compared to treatment with normal glucose. These effects were suppressed by rutin. Phospho-p38 MAPK, phospho-Akt, JNK, and apoptotic pathways [B-cell lymphoma (Bcl)-xL, Bcl-2, phospho-Bad, and caspase-3] were not affected by fluctuations in glucose levels.ConclusionFluctuating glucose levels increased proliferation and migration of OLETF rat VSMCs via MAPK (ERK1/2), BMK1, PI3K, and NF-κB pathways. These effects were inhibited by the antioxidant rutin.     

Interleukin-1 alpha as a factor in occlusive vascular disease.

The purpose of this study was to examine the recognized ability of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) to alter the functional properties of endothelial cells and to induce replication of smooth muscle and fibroblasts. Such changes could potentially link IL-1 alpha pathogenetically to the myointimal proliferation of vascular sclerosis. Using a peroxidase-immunoperoxidase immunohistochemical method, saphenous veins and internal mammary arteries were examined for the presence of IL-1 alpha before their implantation as aortocoronary bypass grafts. Occluded saphenous vein grafts requiring replacement because of recurrent angina pectoris also were similarly examined. Interleukin-1 alpha, deposited as a scarlet immunoprecipitate, was seen on the luminal surface, in the subintima, and on the spindle cells and infiltrating macrophages in the media of 13 phlebosclerotic veins before surgical insertion. The remaining 30 unchanged veins did not contain IL-1 alpha. Similarly, IL-1 alpha was not identified in any of the 43 sampled internal mammary arteries that were all considered structurally intact. All the 55 bypass grafts, which were examined by biopsy during revascularization and demonstrated diverse histopathologic abnormalities consisting of reduced luminal patency, myointimal proliferation, mononuclear cell infiltration, mural collagenization, and luminal-mural hemorrhage, also contained widely distributed IL-1 alpha. The observation that IL-1 alpha was absent in all of the internal mammary arteries concomitant with maintenance of normal microanatomic structure may help explain, in part, their recognized resistance to reduction in luminal patency and their improved clinical survival when used as coronary artery bypass grafts. Alternatively, the consistent presence of IL-1 alpha in all vessels with sclerotic histopathologic changes suggests that this cytokine may be an important in situ indicator of and a potential participant in vascular injury. Interleukin-1 alpha may be a pathogenetic factor in the complex processes leading to vascular occlusion.     

Bilayered vascular grafts based on silk proteins

A major block in the development of small diameter vascular grafts is achieving suitable blood vessel regeneration while minimizing the risk of thrombosis, intimal hyperplasia, suture retention, and mechanical failure. Silk-based tubular vessels for tissue engineering have been prepared by molding, dipping, electrospinning, or gel spinning, however, further studies are needed to improve the mechanical and blood compatibility properties. In the present study a bilayered vascular graft based on silk fibroin (SF) was developed. The graft was composed of an inner silk fiber-reinforced SF tube containing heparin and a highly porous SF external layer. Compared with previously fabricated SF tubes the fiber-reinforcement provided a comparable or higher mechanical strength, burst pressure, and suture retention strength, as well as mechanical compliance, to saphenous veins for vascular grafts. Heparin release was sustained for at least 1 month, affording blood compatibility to the grafts. The outer layer of the grafts prepared through lyophilization had a highly porous structure in which the macropore walls were composed of nanofibers similar to extracellular matrix, which offered an excellent environment for cell growth. In vitro studies showed good cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility.     

生理性周期性张应变通过激活AMPK磷酸化抑制血管平滑肌细胞迁移

目的 探讨细胞能量代谢的关键调节因子 AMP激活的蛋白激酶AMPK在血管平滑肌细胞（vascular smooth muscle cells, VSMCs）响应生理性周期性张应变力学刺激后对VSMCs迁移的影响。方法 采用 Flexcell-5000T体外细胞张应变加载系统,对大鼠原代培养的 VSMCs 施加10%幅度、1.25 Hz 频率的周期性张应变,模拟VSMCs在体内的生理性力学环境;以未加载周期性张应变的静态细胞为对照组,Western blotting 检测 VSMCs的 p-AMPK蛋白表达;划痕实验检测 VSMCs 迁移功能。结果 与静态组的细胞相比,生理性周期性张应变加载24 h后显著减少划痕愈合面积,提示生理性周期性张应变抑制VSMCs迁移;生理性周期性张应变加载3 h后,VSMCs的p-AMPK蛋白表达显著升高,而加载24 h后p-AMPK蛋白表达显著降低。在生理性周期性张应变加载条件下,孵育AMPK抑制剂可以在张应变加载3 h后显著降低 p-AMPK蛋白表达,而在张应变加载24 h后显著促进VSMCs迁移;在静态条件下孵育AMPK激活剂 AICAR 3 h后显著诱导p-AMPK蛋白表达,孵育24 h后显著抑制VSMCs迁移;提示p-AMPK蛋白表达参与调控VSMCs迁移。结论 生理性周期性张应变能通过激活p-AMPK蛋白表达,进而抑制VSMCs迁移,提示生理性周期性张应变调控VSMCs迁移对维持血管稳态具有重要意义。     

Vasa vasorum quantification in human varicose great and small saphenous veins

Recent research regarding saphenous vasa vasorum (VV) has focused on two main topics: the VV during varicogenesis in chronic venous insufficiency and the VV in saphenous grafts used in reconstructive vascular surgery. Our aim has been (i) to establish a technique for the histological quantification of the VV in human varicose great and small saphenous veins and (ii) to describe the density and distribution of the vasa vasorum within varicose veins. Great (n=11) and small (n=5) saphenous veins (length, 15-40cm) were collected from 12 patients who were undergoing venous stripping due to chronic venous insufficiency (Clinical-Etiology-Anatomy-Pathophysiology class 2-3). The veins were divided into 5-cm long segments. In total, 92 tissue blocks were collected to trace the variability of the density and distribution of the vasa vasorum in the proximo-distal direction. The endothelium was detected by immunohistochemistry using the von Willebrand factor. We quantified the number of microvessel profiles per section area and the relative distance of the microvessels from the outer border of the adventitia. The VV did not exhibit a preferential orientation in the varicose veins. VV density profiles were highest in the middle third of the venous wall and lowest in the inner third of the venous wall. Both the density and distribution of VV were uniform along the veins, and no differences were observed between the great and small saphenous veins. The VV density was statistically independent of the relative distance from the adventitia. The usability of this technique for perioperative frozen sections remains to be tested.