Contribution of coronary endothelial cells to cardiac adenosine production

Experiments were performed in isolated non-working guinea pig hearts perfused according to the Langendorff technique (95% O₂, 5% CO₂), to evaluate the relative contribution of the coronary endothelium to the formation of cardiac adenosine during hypoxia, hypercapnia, and acetylcholine infusion. For this purpose the adenine-nucleotides of the coronary endothelium were prelabeled by perfusion of isolated hearts with³H-adenosine (10^–8 M) for 35 min. Changes in the relative specific radio-activity (RSA) of adenosine released into the coronary effluent perfusate were used to assess changes in the relative contribution of the coronary endothelium and cardiomyocytes to total cardiac adenosine release. Hypoxic perfusion (15% O₂) doubled coronary flow and increased total adenosine release by about two orders of magnitude and in addition, substantially increased the release of³H-adenosine. The RSA of adenosine, however, was consistently depressed. During hypercapnic acidosis (9% CO₂) the increase in coronary flow was associated with only a small and transient rise in cardiac adenosine release, and did not influence the formation of³H-adenosine. In the unpaced heart, acetylcholine (10^–7 and 2×10^–6 M) dose-dependently increased coronary flow and the release of both adenosine and³H-adenosine. Within the first minute, the RSA of adenosine was increased, but thereafter was decreased relative to control. In the paced heart, the effects of acetylcholine (2×10^–6 M) were greatly attenuated. Increasing coronary flow by bradykinin and isosorbide dinitrate or decreasing heart rate by (–)N₆-phenylisopropyl-adenosine did not significantly affect effluent perfusate concentration of adenosine or its RSA. Our findings suggest that coronary endothelium in vivo can contribute to increased cardiac adenosine release in response to hypoxia and acetylcholine but not following hypercapnic acidosis. In addition, the consistent decrease in RSA of adenosine suggests a proportionally greater increase in adenosine release from cardiomyocytes.A preliminary report of part of this work appeared in Pflügers Arch (1984) 402:R19 [Suppl]. This work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft SFB 30, Kardiologie Düsseldorf     

The role of prostaglandins in the endothelium-mediated vasodilatory response to hypoxia

The effect of intraluminal hypoxia on vascular tone and the release of prostaglandins (PG) I₂ and E₂ were investigated in intact isolated segments of canine femoral and coronary arteries as well as in the rat tail artery. Perfusion with hypoxic Tyrode's solution (pO₂ 20–40 mm Hg) evoked a marked vasodilation of the segments, precontracted with norepinephrine or serotonin. Simultaneously, a 2–3-fold increase in the release of 6-keto-PGF₁ (the stable hydrolysis product of PGI₂) could be observed. In parallel to 6-keto-PGF₁, smaller quantities of PGE₂ were released. Removal of the endothelium as well as pretreatment with indomethacin abolished both, the dilatory response and the PG-release. After administration of verapamil as well as 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid 8-diethyl-aminooctylester (TMB-8) (which binds intracellular calcium) the PG-increase was abolished and hypoxic dilatation could no longer be elicited, although the vessel had still a capacity to dilate. Exogenous administration of PGI₂ and PGE₂ showed that in canine femoral and coronary arteries PGI₂ was the most effective vasodilating prostaglandin, while in the rat tail artery PGE₂ had a 10-fold higher dilating potency compared to PGI₂. At very high concentrations both PGI₂ and PGE₂ caused vasoconstriction. Our experiments suggest that the hypoxic endothelium-dependent dilatation may be mediated by an increased PG-release. Hypoxia-induced transmembrane calcium influx into the endothelial cells seems to be the trigger reaction.Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Bu 436/2-1)     

pEGFP/hVEGF121融合蛋白真核表达载体的构建及在骨髓间质干细胞中的表达

目的：构建携带人血管内皮细胞生长因子121及绿色荧光蛋白报告基因的融合蛋白真核表达质粒并检测其在骨髓间质干细胞（MSC）中的表达。 方法： 采用PCR技术，以pCD/hVEGF121质粒为模板扩增VEGF121基因全长，采用PCR产物的粘端克隆法，将VEGF121定向克隆入pEGFP-C1的多克隆位点，构建pEGFP/hVEGF121重组质粒，酶切、PCR及序列分析鉴定，脂质体介导转染体外培养的MSC，荧光显微镜及免疫细胞化学染色检测EGFP/VEGF融合蛋白的表达。 结果： PCR、酶切及测序证实目的基因VEGF121正确连接至pEGFP-C1的多克隆位点，pEGFP/hVEGF121重组质粒转染MSC后，荧光显微镜及免疫细胞化学检测EGFP/VEGF蛋白在MSC中存在表达。 结论： 成功构建了携带人VEGF121及EGFP报告基因的融合蛋白真核表达质粒，并在MSC中获得表达，为进一步研究VEGF基因治疗缺血性心血管疾病及MSC的分化奠定了实验基础。     

稳定层流剪应力对内皮细胞骨架调节蛋白VASP表达的影响

为探讨生理强度的稳定层流剪应力对内皮细胞骨架actin相关蛋白VASP特征影响规律，我们采用胰蛋白酶消化法分离人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVECs)，模拟体内流动环境，建立平行板流动腔模型。利用细胞图像分析系统和ALEXA488—若丹明一次毒蕈环肽双标记法，观察内皮细胞在稳态层流下形态、actin排列变化与VASP分布变化之间的规律。采用Western blot定量动态检测细胞内VASP表达及磷酸化的水平。结果表明，内皮细胞在10dyn／cm^2剪切作用后，随时间细胞逐渐延长，长轴趋于剪应力作用方向排列，细胞与静息态的细胞相比，细胞内骨架沿剪应力方向重组，与此同时VASP表达增强，沿着actin纤维呈点状分布，尤其集中在细胞膜下actin末端区域；Western blot检测显示在剪切后，细胞内VASP出现快速磷酸化，VASP总体表达量增加，2h达高峰后逐渐恢复，8h后再次逐渐升高。以上结果提示血流动力学特性中剪应力引起了细胞胞质内骨架蛋白分子重组，血管内皮细胞形态改变，在此过程中，VASP发挥骨架调节蛋白的作用。     

LPS对大鼠肺微血管内皮细胞SSeCKS的表达影响

目的研究细菌脂多糖（LPS）对大鼠肺微血管内皮细胞（rat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cell，RPMVEC）Src抑制的蛋白激酶C底物（Src-suppressed C kinase substrate，SSeCKS）表达和细胞内定位的影响，探讨SSeCKS参与细胞骨架结构改变的可能机制。方法用植块培养法体外培养大鼠肺微血管内皮细胞，用抗大鼠CD31抗体进行细胞鉴定。LPS刺激体外培养的RPMVEC，用定量PCR、免疫印迹方法检测LPS刺激RPMVEC不同时间SSeCKS mRNA和蛋白的表达情况；用0．05μmol／L蛋白激酶C（PKC）抑制剂（Calphostin C）预处理RPMVEC30min后再用LPS刺激6h，免疫荧光细胞化学法观察Calphostin C对LPS诱导SSeCKS与纤维状肌动蛋白（filamentous—actin，F-actin）细胞内定位和结构改变的影响。结果定量PCR结果显示LPS刺激RPMVEC1h后SSeCKS表达水平达到最高，Westernblot结果与定量PCR结果相一致，同时，LPS以时间依赖的方式诱导SSeCKS磷酸水平增加。免疫荧光结果显示LPS刺激后，F-actin发生重构，细胞内形成应力纤维，SSeCKS向核周、细胞膜纤维、板状伪足末端聚集；Calphostin C部分抑制LPS对内皮细胞F-actin和SSeCKS细胞内定位改变的影响。结论LPS能够诱导内皮细胞SSeCKS表达增加和细胞内定位改变，PKC参与I娲诱导内皮细胞F-ac，6n的重构和SSeCKS重新分布；提示SSeCKS可能与LPS诱导内皮细胞F-actin的重构有关。     

The role of COX-2 in angiogenesis and rheumatoid arthritis

Recent evidence suggests that cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 is a mediator of angiogenesis, and COX-2 activity is known to be upregulated in the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovium. We examined whether mediation of angiogenesis by COX-2 was occuring in cells of the RA synovium and in microvascular endothelial cells (ECs) that are similar to those found in the RA synovium. We demonstrate that rofecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, acts directly on human dermal microvascular ECs (HMVECs) to inhibit their chemotactic and tube forming ability. Likewise, pretreatment of HMVECs with rofecoxib significantly inhibited their ability to form tubes induced by conditioned media (CM) of activated RA synovial fibroblasts. When RA synovial fibroblasts were pretreated with rofecoxib for 16 h and then stimulated with interleukin (IL)-1beta, their CM induced significantly less HMVEC tube formation when compared with CM from vehicle-treated RA synovial fibroblasts. ELISAs performed on activated RA fibroblast CM for known proangiogenic factors demonstrated a significant reduction in bFGF, in addition to the expected decrease in PGE(2). Our studies suggest that COX-2-induced angiogenic activity is an active mechanism within diseased synovium and may provide an additional rationale for the use of COX-2 inhibitors in RA.     

Cell culture from rat renal glomeruli

The primary culture of rat renal glomeruli was found to result in the ready outgrowth of two cells types. One type designated c-cells were cytokeratin positive and exhibited microvilli and cilia. The second type designated f-cells were vimentin positive and showed rugose surfaces. C-cells were polygonal in culture on plastic surfaces and were derived from cells of parietal epithelial origin. F-cells assumed a more extended form on plastic and were judged to be a sub-set of parietal epithelial cells. Neither cell type was derived from the visceral epithelium which was found to have been destroyed during isolation of the glomeruli. When cultured on isolated glomerular basement membrane both the c-cells and f-cells assumed a polygonal morphology but when grown on Matrigel the cells assumed the form of long strands interconnecting the outgrowths between the glomeruli. The appearance of the cells in the strands, judged from scanning electron microscopy, suggested that these were formed from f-cells but other cell types were entrained in the structures. Glomeruli subjected to vigorous proteinase digestion of the basement membrane allowed culture of a wider variety of cells. These included endothelial cells, judged by OX-43 antibody and anti-von Willebrand Factor staining, and mesangial cells. In cultures from glomeruli polygonal cells are often assumed to be visceral epithelial cells, the results from this study indicate that this assumption is unsound. The very different behaviour of cells grown on isolated basement membrane as compared with cells grown on Matrigel suggests that Matrigel may not faithfully mimic basement membrane with respect to cell response in culture.     

糖皮质激素对膝关节周围成骨细胞一氧化氮合酶和骨重建的影响

目的研究糖皮质激素对膝关节成骨细胞一氧化氮合酶表达和软骨下骨质重建的影响。方法取健康SD大鼠24只，体重（0．45±0．02）kg，随机分为实验组（A组）和对照组（B组），每组12只。实验组每周一次左膝关节腔内注射复方倍他米松0．02ml／kg，对照组每周一次左膝关节腔内注射生理盐水0．02ml／kg。4周时对两组大鼠的左侧膝关节股骨成骨细胞的诱生型一氧化氮合酶（inducible nitric oxide synthase，iNOS）和内皮细胞型一氧化氮合酶（endothelial nitric oxide synthase，eNOS）免疫组织化学研究，测定其平均灰度值和平均积分光密度，同时进行左胫骨软骨下骨质显微结构观察。结果实验组和对照组iNOS免疫组化的结果均为阴性，实验组eNOS的表达显著低于对照组（P〈0．01），实验组左胫骨的软骨下骨质旱骨质疏松特征。结论糖皮质激素对膝关节成骨细胞内皮细胞型一氧化氮合酶的表达和软骨下骨质生成有明显的抑制作用。     

流体切应力作用强度对内皮细胞IL-8生成的影响

血管内皮细胞衬于血管腔的表面，是血流机械应力的主要感受者。切应力可以直接调节内皮细胞生物活性物质的合成和分泌，其中包括诱导内皮细胞生成IL-8，而且IL-8的生成量与切应力作用时间有关。为阐明内皮细胞IL-8的生成除了与切应力的作用时间有关外还与切应力的强度有关，我们用不同强度的流体切应力(2．09、4．61、6．19、8．51、10．50、12．59、14．41、17．22、18．32dyne／cm^2)处理培养的人脐静脉内皮细胞，然后采用双抗体夹心ABC-ELISA技术检测内皮细胞IL-8蛋白质的生成。结果显示：未用切应力处理的内皮细胞只有极少量的IL-8蛋白质生成；切应力处理内皮细胞后，低切应力(2．09dyne／cm^2)时IL-8蛋白质生成量明显增加，约为高切应力(18．32dyne／cm^2)时IL-8蛋白质生成量的6(作用5h)或7倍(作用6h)。IL-8蛋白质生成量与内皮细胞所施加的切应力强度呈反变关系；直线回归方程：5h时为y=760．12—36．06x，相关系数7=-O．978；6h时为y=781．87—36．66x，相关系数7=-O．980。式中：y为切应力作用下内皮细胞IL-8的生成量；x为施加于内皮细胞的切应力强度(dyne／cm^2)。不同的切应力作用时间(5h、6h)均表现出相同的IL-8蛋白质生成量随切应力强度的变化规律。提示流体切应力诱导内皮细胞生成IL-8的量，不仅与切应力的作用时间有关，而且IL-8的生成量与切应力强度有关。流体低切应力诱导内皮细胞IL-8的生成量急剧增高，可能在急性炎症和动脉粥样硬化的发生、发展过程中具有重要作用。     

抗人血管内皮细胞单克隆抗体的制备及其在血管内皮细胞分型上的可能应用

目前国外已有制备抗人血管内皮细胞(VEC)单克隆抗体(McAb)成功的报道。但国内尚无这方面的报导。国外一些实验室所制得的抗人VEC的McAb,有的与单核细胞或(和)淋巴细胞具有交叉反应,有的作用于细胞质抗原而非膜抗原。Cerilli认为,VEC具有独特的非HLA抗原,而外周血单核细胞也具有这种VEC抗原系统。迄今尚未有人尝试