Vascular endothelial cell(VEC) is a kind of simple squamous epithelium lined on the inner surface of blood vessels. VEC is an important barrier between the blood and tissue and it also plays a key role in regulating inflammation, thrombosis, endothelial cells mediated vasodilatation and endothelial regeneration. These processes should be controlled by a variety of complex mechanism which requires us to find out. With results of the researches in vascular endothelial cell function, the important roles that microRNA in vascular endothelial cell function draws more and more researchers' attention. MicroRNAs control gene expression in post-transcriptional level and affect the function of endothelial cells. This review focuses on the research progress on regulatory mechanism of microRNA to endothelial cell inflammation, thrombosis, vasodilation and endothelium regeneration.
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of A549 cells under hypoxicconditions on the migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and microvascular formation. MethodsAfter cultured for 24 h in normoxia condition(21% O2),hypoxia condition (2% O2),and anaerobic condition (0% O2),respectively,morphology of A549 cells was observed with inverted phase contrast microscope,proliferation was detected by MTT assay,and intracellular hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) protein was detected by immunocyto-chemical technique,for determining whether the hypoxia model is successful. Then A549 cells' supernatant in the normoxic group,the hypoxia group and HUVECs culture medium were taken to intervene HUVECs. The migration of HUVECs was observed with cell scratch test,pseudopodia formation of HUVECs was observed with microfilament green fluorescent staining method,and blood vessel formation was observed with three-dimensional culture techniques in vitro. ResultsCompared with the normoxic group,the growth of A549 cells was better in the hypoxia group with more proliferation,and was poor in the anaerobic group with decreased number of cells. A549 cells in the hypoxia group and the anaerobic group both expressed HIF-1α protein,which was more obvious in the anaerobic group. Compared with the HUVECs supernatant intervention group,the hypoxia supernatant intervention group and the normoxic supernatant intervention group both had varying degrees of migration,pseudopodia structure formation and vascular lumen sample structure formation,which were more obvious in the former group. ConclusionA549 cells in hypoxic environment grow very well,proliferated significantly,but anaerobic environment is not conducive to the growth of A549 cells which found to be apoptosis. A549 cells in hypoxic environment can promote HUVECs migration,pseudopodia formation and angiogenesis.
Objective To investigate the expression of transcription factors including nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） and activator protein-1 （AP-1） in vascular endothelial cells （ECs） in different flow fields， and provide experimental evidence for mechanical signal effects on gene regulation pattern of ECs. Methods Cultured human umbilical vein ECs were loaded into steady flow chambers of laminar flow or turbulent flow and observed at 6 time points （0.5 h， 1 h， 2 h， 3 h， 4 h and 5 h） based on different load time. Spacial and temporal characteristics of NF-κB and AP-1 expression in ECs in different flow chambers were detected at a protein level by laser confocal microscope. Results In laminar flow， NF-κB expression rose to peak at 1 hour （26.49±1.63， P＜0.05）and then declined. In turbulent flow， NF-κB expression rose to peak at 3 hours （34.41±6.43， P＜0.05）. In laminar flow， c-Jun/AP-1 expression was transiently elevated， reached its peak at 0.5 hour （18.95±5.38，P＜0.05）and then fell to its baseline level. In turbulent flow， c-Jun/AP-1 expression rose slowly but steady to peak（P＜0.05） . Conclusion The effects of turbulent flow on NF-κB and AP-1 expression in ECs are different from those of laminar flow. Up-regulation and activation of NF-κB and AP-1 expression in ECs induced by turbulent flow may cause pathological changes in morphological structure and functional behavior of ECs.
Objective To establish a simple and efficient method to isolate and culture the umbilical vein vascular endothelial cells in canine. Methods Twelve umbilical cords [(13.0 ± 1.5) cm in length] were taken from 12 newborn pups of Beagles. And then the vascular endothelial cells were isolated from these umbilical cords digested by 1% collagenase type I for 5, 7, and 10 minutes respectively (4 umbilical cords in each group). After cultured, the vascular endothelial cells were identified by morphology, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry. And the growth curvature of umbilical vein vascular endothelial cells was detected by MTT assay. Results Few vascular endothelial cells were collected at 5 and 10 minutes after digestion; many vascular endothelial cells were seen at 7 minutes, and became cobblestone with culture time, with a large nucleus; after passage, cell morphology had no obvious change. Fluorescence microscope results showed that positive von Willebrand factor (vWF) and CD31 cells were observed in most of cells. The flow cytometry test displayed that the positive cell rates of vWF and CD31 were 99.0% ± 0.7% and 98.0% ± 1.2%, respectively. The above results indicated that cultured cells were vascular endothelial cells. MTT assay showed that vascular endothelial cells proliferation increased significantly with culture time. Conclusion Enzyme digestion is a convenient method to isolate vascular endothelial cells from canine umbilical vein, and a large number of cells and high purity of cells can be obtained by the method.
Objective To investigate the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) gene modified lymph nodes on promoting proliferation of lymphatic endothelial cells in the surrounding tissues. Methods Thirty-six Sprague Dawley rats, weighing 200.1-271.5 g, were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=18). After the in situ axillary lymph nodes transplantation models were established in both groups, 1.5 × 108 PFU Ad-VEGF-C-Flag and Ad-Flag were injected into the transplanted lymph nodes in experimental group and control group, respectively. At 3 days after injection, the axillary lymph nodes were harvested to observe the expression of Flag; at 1, 2, and 4 weeks after injection, the axillary lymph nodes and the surrounding tissues were harvested to observe the expression of Prxo-1 protein and to calculate the fluorescence density; at 2 and 4 weeks after injection, the absorbance (A) value of treated blood at 620 nm was calculated to observe lymphatic back-flow function improvement; the rats without treatment served as normal control group, and the rats with in situ axillary lymph nodes transplantation model served as blank control group. Results At 3 days after injection, the expression of Flag could be detected in experimental group and control group. The fluorescence density of Prox-1 protein in experimental group increased at 1, 2, and 4 weeks, and it was significantly higher than that in control group (P lt; 0.05). The A values of normal control group and blank control group were 0.539 ± 0.020 and 0.151 ± 0.007, respectively. The A values of experimental group and control group were 0.170 ± 0.011 and 0.168 ± 0.010 at 2 weeks, and 0.212 ± 0.016 and 0.197 ± 0.006 at 4 weeks, which were significantly lower than those of normal control group (P lt; 0.05), but no significant difference was found when compared with blank control group, and between the experimental group and control group (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion The VEGF-C gene modified lymph nodes can stimulate the proliferation of lymphatic endothelial cells in the surrounding tissues. However, it has no improved effect on lymphatic back-flow function in the affected limb.
Objective To investigate the protocols of combined culture of human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HPMSCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) from the same and different individuals on collagen material, to provide the. Methods Under voluntary contributions, HPMSCs were isolated and purified from human full-term placenta using collagenase IV digestion and lymphocyte separation medium, and confirmed by morphology methods and flow cytometry, and then passage 2 cells were cultured under condition of osteogenic induction. HUVECs were isolated from fresh human umbilical vein by collagenase I digestion and subcultured to purification, and cells were confirmed by immunocytochemical staining of von Willebrand factor (vWF). There were 2 groups for experiment. Passage 3 osteoblastic induced HPMSCs were co-cultured with HUVECs (1 ∶ 1) from different individuals in group A and with HUVECs from the same individual in group B on collagen hydrogel. Confocal laser scanning microscope was used to observe the cellular behavior of the cell-collagen composites at 1, 3, 5, and 7 days after culturing. Results Flow cytometry showed that HPMSCs were bly positive for CD90 and CD29, but negative for CD31, CD45, and CD34. After induction, alizarin red, alkaline phosphatase, and collagenase I staining were positive. HUVECs displayed cobble-stone morphology and stained positively for endothelial cell marker vWF. The immunofluorescent staining of CD31 showed that HUVECs in the cell-collagen composite of group B had richer layers, adhered and extended faster and better in three-dimension space than that of group A. At 7 days, the class-like microvessel lengths and the network point numbers were (6.68 ± 0.35) mm/mm2 and (17.10 ± 1.10)/mm2 in group A, and were (8.11 ± 0.62) mm/mm2 and (21.30 ± 1.41)/mm2 in group B, showing significant differences between the 2 groups (t=0.894, P=0.000; t=0.732, P=0.000). Conclusion Composite implant HPMSCs and HUVECs from the same individual on collagen hydrogel is better than HPMSCs and HUVECs from different individuals in integrity and continuity of the network and angiogenesis.
Objective To study the differenation of adult marrow mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) into vascular endothelial cells in vitro and to explore inducing conditions. Methods MSCs were isolated from adult marrow mononuclear cells by attaching growth. MSCs were divided into 4 groups to induce: the cells seeded at a density of 5×103/cm2 in 2% and 15% FCS LDMEM respectively (group1 and group 2)， at a density of 5×104/cm2 in 2% and 15% FCS LDMEM respectively (group 3 and group 4); vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) supplemented with Bovine pituitary extract was used to induce the cell differentiation. The differentiated cells were identified by measuring surfacemarks (CD34, VEGFR2, CD31 and vWF ) on the 14th day and 21st day and performed angiogenesis in vitroon the 21st day.The cell proliferation index（PI）of different inducing conditions were measured. Results After induced in VEGF supplemented with Bovine pituitary extract, the cells of group 3 expressed the surface marks CD34, VEGFR-2, CD31 and vWF on the 14th day, the positive rates were 8.5%, 12.0%, 40.0% and 30.0% respectively, and on the 21st day the positive ratesof CD34 and VEGFR2 increased to 15.5％ and 20.0％, while the other groups did not express these marks; the induced cells of group 3 showed low proliferating state(PI was 10.4%) and formed capillary-like structure in semisolid medium. Conclusion Adult MSCs can differentiate into vascular endothelial cellsafter induced by VEGF and Bovine pituitary extract at high cell densities and low proliferatingconditions，suggesting that adult MSCs will be ideal seed cells forthe therapeutic neovascularization and tissue engineering.
Objective To study whether the porcine endothelial cells (PECs) lines transfected by HLA-G1 can alter the lysis mediated by human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) and natural killer cell 92(NK-92). Methods By use of liposomes pack, the pcDNA3.0 eukaryotic expression vector carrying HLA-G1 was transfected into PECs. Using indirect immunofluorescence and RT-PCR assays, the HLA-G1 expression in PECs was detected. The alteration of the lysis mediated by PBMC and NK-92 was detected by51Cr-release assays. Results HLA-G1 expression could be detected in PECs after transfection of HLA-G1 at the levels of protein andRNA. It also could be found that the survival rate of transfected PECs was muchhigher than that of non-transfected PECs, when both of them faced the lysismediated by human PBMC and NK-92.After transfecting the expression of HLA-G1 could be found in the transfected PECs and the lysis mediated by PBMC and NK-92 to PECs decreased obviously (Plt;0.05). Conclusion The PECs- transfected by HLAG1 can decrease the NK lysis, so that it may provide us a new thought to inhibit the xeno-cell-rejection.
Objective To study the biological behavior of osteoblast and vascular endothelial cell culture. Methods The osteoblasts and vascular endothelial cells were obtained from calvarial bone and renal cortox of 2-week rabbits respectively. The experiment were divided into group A (osteoblasts), group B (vascular endothelial cells) and group C(co-cultured osteoblasts and vascular endothelial cells). The cells were identified with cytoimmunochemical staining. The cellular biological behavior and compatibilitywere observed under inverted phase contrast microscope and with histological staining. The cells viability and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activity were measured. Results The cytoimmunochemical staining showed that the cultured cells were osteoblasts and vascular endothelial cells .The cellular compatibility of osteoblasts and vascular endothelial cells was good. The ALP activity was higher in group C than in group A and group B(P＜0.01), and it was higher in group A than in group B(P＜0.05). In group C, the cellproliferation were increased slowly early, but fast later. Conclusion Thecellular compatibility of osteoblasts and vascular endothelial cells were good. The vascular endothelial cells can significantly increased the osteoblast viability and ALP activity,and the combined cultured cells have greater proliferation ability.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the possibility of improving the performance of tissue engineering valve by means of preendothelialization with cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cell(hUVEC) and to develop a new xenogenic bioprosthesis valve material. METHODS: The porcine aortic valves treated by use of glutaraldehyde(GA), epoxychloropropane(EC), L-glutamic acid(L-GA) and cellular extraction(CE) respectively were divided into four groups; group 1(GA), group 2(EC), group 3(EC + L-GA), and group 4(EC + L-GA + CE). The cultured hUVECs were seeded onto the treated porcine aortic valve, then that stuff were examined by means of EC VIII factor staining, living cells counting and microscopy. RESULTS: The cultured hUVEC could adhere to culturing bottle wall an hour later, and propagated to two passages after seven days. The cells increased with serial passage at a 7-day interval. But the hUVEC grew slowly when seeded onto the treated valve material except group 4. The cells in group 4 covered the surface of valve completely seven days later, which could also be seen in group 3 but not completely. There was no cell growing in group 1, and only fewer in group 2. The living cell in groups 3 and 4 were significantly more than in groups 1 and 2 on the 3rd, 7th and 14th days (P lt; 0.01), meanwhile, the number of cells in group 4 were also significantly more than that in group 3 (P lt; 0.05). The covering area of cultured cell on the valve material in groups 3 and 4 was significantly larger than that in groups 1 and 2. The covering area of cell in group 4 was over 95%, and higher than that in group 3(60%-70%). The hUVEC of group 4 arranged in pattern of three dimension. So it could resist rising of foreign power from the cardiac cavity of high pressure and flowing volume. There was no cell on the leaflet surface in group 1, and only a few pinch of cells could be seen in group 2. CONCLUSION: The porcine aortic valve can be used to be an ideal xenogeneic valve scaffold; the scaffold of porcine aortic valve should be treated by use of epoxy-chloropropane, L-glutamic acid and cellular extraction, so that a best growing environment to the hUVEC would be given; the cultured hUVECs used to be source of seed living cell had a boundless prospects; the growing velocity of cultured hUVEC was controllable, which facilitated clinical application; and the endothelial cells of xenogeneic valve material which grew compactly onto the scaffold can resist rising of foreign power from the cardiac cavity itself.