Effects of sustained hydrostatic pressure on the proliferative mechanisms of human umbilical vein endothelial cells

摘要

Bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells respond to the mechanical stimulus of sustained hydrostatic pressure (specifically, 1.5 - 15 cm H_2O) pressure for 3 - 7 days) with reease fo basic fibroblast growth factor from cytoplasmic stores and with morphological alterations (i.e., elongation and cytoskeletal rearrangement) as well as with increased cell proliferation. Our previous research demonstrated that exposure of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) to 4 cm H_2O sustained hydrostatic pressure for various periods of time (4 hours to 4 days) altered the distribution of integrin subunits alpha_v, beta_3, and beta_5; these molecules, and the intracellular signals that they transmit, have a crucial role as mediators of endothelial cell proliferation. The results of the present study provided evidence that exposure of HUVEC to sustained hydrostatic pressure of 1 - 4 cm H_2O for times of 4 hours to 5 days altered the (integrin-dependent) proliferative behavior of human vascular endothelial cells.