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Regulation of local tissue-type plasminogen activator release by endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent agonists in human vasculature.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to define the local regulation of vascular tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) release. BACKGROUND: The vascular endothelium, through the production of t-PA and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1), is an important regulator of fibrinolysis. Plasma t-PA levels increase in response to adrenergic stimulation; however, it is unclear whether this increase is the result of systemic reflex responses or direct effects on the vascular endothelium. METHODS: Forearm blood flow dose responses were generated to low doses of agonist infused directly into the brachial artery in 15 normotensive men (mean [+/-SE] age 28.9 +/- 2.2 years). Simultaneous arterial and venous blood samples were drawn at baseline and in response to the intraarterial administration of isoproterenol (400 ng/min), methacholine (8 microg/min) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) (8 microg/min). PAI-1 and t-PA antigen levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the net release across the forearm was calculated. RESULTS: Forearm plasma flow increased significantly from baseline (1.4 +/- 0.2 ml/100 ml per min) after administration of isoproterenol, methacholine and SNP (9.7 +/- 1.9, 8.7 +/- 1.9 and 6.7 +/- 1.1 ml/100 ml per min, respectively) (p < 0.001 by analysis of variance). Baseline net t-PA release (0.7 +/- 0.3 ng/100 ml per min) increased significantly after administration of isoproterenol (26.2 +/- 11.6 ng/100 ml per min, p = 0.005) and methacholine (15.3 +/- 5.5 ng/100 ml per min, p = 0.001) but not after administration of SNP (1.8 +/- 2.2 ng/100 ml per min, p = 0.84). There was no net release of PAI-1 across the vascular bed. CONCLUSIONS: Marked, rapid local t-PA release occurred in response to isoproterenol, a beta-adrenoceptor agonist, and methacholine, an endothelium-dependent nitric oxide agonist, in the human forearm. This effect was selective and independent of the effects of shear stress due to increased flow because SNP induced similar increases in forearm blood flow without affecting t-PA release. Vascular t-PA release may be a potentially valuable tool for evaluating endothelial function in diseases associated with increased risk of thrombosis.

Adult↗

Astragaloside IV dilates aortic vessels from normal and spontaneously hypertensive rats through endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent ways.

The major active constituent of Astragalus membranaceus, astragaloside IV, has been found to have properties of increasing coronary flow and cardioprotection. In this study, we examined the direct effects of astragaloside IV on vessel dilatation and contraction in isolated aortic rings from both normal and stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR-SP) in vitro. The results demonstrated that astragaloside IV could antagonize vessel contractions induced by phenylephrine and potassium chloride in a concentration-dependent way. Astragaloside IV reduced CaCl2-induced contractions in Ca2+-free solution. Astragaloside IV also dilated aortic vessels in a dose-dependent manner, which was partially endothelium-dependent through the nitric oxide (NO) and cGMP pathways. The aorta from 6-month-old SHR-SP rats showed impaired endothelium function, and astragaloside IV dilated the vessels from the hypertensive rats to a lesser extent as compared with normal control rats. In the presence of perivascular fat tissue, the contractile responses induced by angiotensin II and phenylephrine were also attenuated by astragaloside IV. Collectively, this study provides functional evidence that astragaloside IV exerts vessel dilatation properties through the endothelium-dependent NO-cGMP pathway in normal and hypertensive rats. It blocks extracellular calcium influx and participates in vessel relaxation partly through phenylephrine and angiotensin II inhibition when perivascular fat is present.

Animals↗

Haptoglobin-haemoglobin complex in human plasma inhibits endothelium dependent relaxation: evidence that endothelium derived relaxing factor acts as a local autocoid.

Endothelium dependent relaxation of isometrically mounted rabbit aortic strip preparations was rapidly inhibited by human plasma at dilutions down to 1:1000. Gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography were used to demonstrate that this inhibitory activity was present in fractions containing haptoglobin. Purified haptoglobin itself possessed no inhibitory action against endothelium dependent relaxation, but the haptoglobin-haemoglobin complex did, consistent with the documented ability of haemoglobin to inhibit this phenomenon. The concentration of haemoglobin normally bound to haptoglobin is sufficient to account for the inhibitory properties of human plasma. This suggests that endothelium derived relaxing factor exerts no downstream intravascular effect in vivo and thus that its physiological dilator role is that of a local autocoid acting on subjacent smooth muscle.

Animals↗

Endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasomotion in large coronary arteries and in the microcirculation after cardiac transplantation.

Endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasodilation of the epicardial conduit vessels and the microcirculatory coronary vessels was investigated with cumulative doses of acetylcholine (ACh 50 micrograms and 100 micrograms i.c.), nitroglycerin (0.3 mg i.c.) and dipyridamole (0.56 mg.kg-1 i.v.) in 17 patients (3 female/14 male; age: 47 +/- 3.6 years) with angiographically normal coronary arteries 40 +/- 5.1 months after cardiac transplantation. The effect of ACh on large conduit arteries was evaluated angiographically. Coronary blood flow velocity changes were measured utilizing an 8F Judkins style 20 MHz Doppler catheter positioned in the left main coronary artery. A coronary flow index was calculated from the mean Doppler flow velocity and the computed cross-sectional vascular area. After 50 micrograms of ACh the diameter of proximal, middle and distal segments of the left anterior descending coronary artery decreased significantly by 7.6 +/- 2.06% (P < 0.05), 10.6 +/- 3.5% (P < 0.01) and 12.6 +/- 3.29% (P < 0.01) and after 100 micrograms ACh by 10.5 +/- 2.4% (P < 0.05), 13.0 +/- 3.7% (P < 0.01) and 15.3 +/- 3.9% (P < 0.01). The endothelium-independent vasodilator nitroglycerin (0.3 mg i.c.) induced an increase in vascular diameter of 14.4 +/- 3.1% (P < 0.01), 18.6 +/- 4.1% (P < 0.01) and 20.8 +/- 2.9% (P < 0.01) in proximal, mid and distal segments of the left anterior descending coronary artery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acetylcholine↗

Effects of phorbol ester on vasodilation induced by endothelium-dependent or endothelium-independent vasodilators in the mesenteric arterial bed.

The effects of phorbol ester, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), on vasodilation induced by endothelium-dependent or independent vasodilators in the mesenteric arterial bed were examined. In mesentery precontracted with methoxamine, acetylcholine (ACh) produced a concentration-dependent vasodilation, but ACh-induced vasodilation was significantly reduced when the tonus of the mesentery was raised by an equieffective concentration of PMA. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and forskolin also caused a concentration-dependent relaxation in the mesenteric arterial bed pre-contracted with methoxamine, but could not induce relaxation in mesentery precontracted with PMA. In mesentery precontracted with PMA or methoxamine, ACh-induced vasodilation was significantly inhibited by tetraethylammonium (TEA), but not by ouabain, glibenclamide, or apamin. ACh-induced vasodilation was significantly inhibited by NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), whereas L-NNA was not capable of effectively inhibiting the ACh-induced vasodilation of the mesentery precontracted with PMA. These results suggest that stimulation of protein kinase C (PKC) by phorbol ester (PMA) in the mesenteric arterial bed inhibits the relaxation of vascular smooth muscle (VSM) in response to cyclic nucleotides. Furthermore, the endothelium of the mesenteric arterial bed may release endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF), in addition to nitric oxide (NO), into the mesentery.

Acetylcholine↗

Endothelium-derived reactive oxygen species: their relationship to endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization and vascular tone.

Opinions on the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the vasculature have shifted in recent years, such that they are no longer merely regarded as indicators of cellular damage or byproducts of metabolism--they may also be putative mediators of physiological functions. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), in particular, can initiate vascular myocyte proliferation (and, incongruously, apoptosis), hyperplasia, cell adhesion, migration, and the regulation of smooth muscle tone. Endothelial cells express enzymes that produce ROS in response to various stimuli, and H2O2 is a potent relaxant of vascular smooth muscle. H2O2 itself can mediate endothelium-dependent relaxations in some vascular beds. Although nitric oxide (NO) is well recognized as an endothelium-derived dilator, it is also well established, particularly in the microvasculature, that another factor, endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF), is a significant determinant of vasodilatory tone. This review primarily focuses on the hypothesis that H2O2 is an EDHF in resistance arteries. Putative endothelial sources of H2O2 and the effects of H2O2 on potassium channels, calcium homeostasis, and vascular smooth muscle tone are discussed. Furthermore, given the perception that ROS can more likely elicit cytotoxic effects than perform signalling functions, the arguments for and against H2O2 being an endogenous vasodilator are assessed.

Animals↗

Endothelium function is protected by albumin and flow-induced constriction is independent of endothelium and tone in isolated rabbit femoral artery.

To investigate the preservation of endothelial function, we perfused two segments of one rabbit femoral artery (n = 8) in a pressure myograph in parallel, both with Tyrode, but one with 0.6% albumin added. The change in the outer diameter of the vessels [preconstricted with norepinephrine (NE) to 70%] in response to acetylcholine as an indicator of the endothelial function, was repeatedly measured over 5 h after the equilibration. The difference between the acetylcholine responses of the two vessel segments was significant (p < 0.05) after a perfusion period of 4 h. We also investigated whether flow-induced constriction is dependent on (1) the presence of endothelium and (2) the level of preconstriction. We therefore perfused segments of rabbit femoral arteries (n = 5) with Tyrode with 0.6% albumin. If acetylcholine-induced dilatation was present, a flow-diameter relation was determined at two constriction levels: about 60% (high) and 90% (low) of the passive outer diameter. Both determinations were repeated after mechanical endothelium removal (checked functionally and histologically). A similar decrease in diameter (about 7%) with an increase in flow ranging from 0 to 1,330 microliters/min was found in all conditions. We conclude that the addition of (0.6%) albumin protects endothelial function in the rabbit femoral artery when perfused in the low-flow range for a period longer than 4 h. We also found that flow-dependent constriction is neither influenced by the presence of the endothelium nor by the level of tone induced with NE.

Animals↗

H2O2 and endothelium-dependent cerebral arteriolar dilation. Implications for the identity of endothelium-derived relaxing factor generated by acetylcholine.

We studied the mechanism of the vasodilator effect of H2O2 on cerebral arterioles and its effect on endothelium-dependent responses to acetylcholine. Topical application of H2O2 (0.1-1 microM) on the brain surface of anesthetized cats equipped with cranial windows induced dose-dependent arteriolar dilation, which was markedly inhibited by topical deferoxamine, showing that it was probably mediated by generation of hydroxyl radical. Higher concentrations of H2O2 (3 microM) also induced dilation, which was unaffected by deferoxamine, indicating the participation of other mechanisms. After topical application of H2O2, endothelium-dependent responses to acetylcholine were eliminated or converted to vasoconstriction, and in bioassay experiments, acetylcholine-mediated endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) was absent. Superoxide dismutase plus catalase restored the appearance of transferable EDRF after 1 microM H2O2 but not after 3 microM H2O2. Application of H2O2 in the assay window eliminated the responses to nitroprusside and nitric oxide but did not affect responses to adenosine, to EDRF from the donor window, or responses to S-nitroso-L-cysteine. The inhibiting effect of H2O2 on the response to nitroprusside was partially eliminated after topical application of N-acetyl-L-cysteine. The results show that H2O2 inhibits the vasodilator action of nitroprusside and nitric oxide probably because it oxidizes thiols in vascular smooth muscle and prevents the formation of a nitrosothiol. EDRF from acetylcholine and S-nitroso-L-cysteine still produce dilation in the presence of the blockade induced by H2O2. The findings suggest strongly that the EDRF from acetylcholine in cerebral vessels is a nitrosothiol like S-nitroso-L-cysteine.

Acetylcholine↗

In vivo effect of methylene blue on endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent dilations of brain microvessels in mice.

Arterioles on the surface of the mouse brain were observed by in vivo TV microscopy. Four dilators were topically applied to relax the vessels in vivo. Two of the dilators were acetylcholine and bradykinin, whose action in this vascular bed is dependent upon production of endothelium-dependent relaxing factors. The other two dilators were sodium nitroprusside and 8-bromo-cGMP, whose action is not endothelium dependent. The dilations by acetylcholine, bradykinin, and nitroprusside were significantly depressed by 10(-4) M methylene blue applied topically for 7 minutes prior to application of the dilators. The inhibitory effect was reversible, was greatest against acetylcholine, and was least against nitroprusside. These data parallel reports of methylene blue's action against these dilators when applied to large blood vessels in vitro. Our data appear to be the first microvascular data and the first in vivo data showing this effect. The data thus suggest that the mechanisms underlying dilation of cerebral arterioles and large extracerebral vessels are similar. The literature accounts for the effect of methylene blue on the basis of its action as an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase. Our data, including the failure of methylene blue to alter dilation by 8-bromo-cGMP, are in keeping with this hypothesis and with current beliefs that guanylate cyclase and cGMP have a central role in vasodilation. The data do not rule out the possibility that methylene blue has an additional action in the case of acetylcholine and inactivates the endothelium-dependent relaxing factor for that dilator.

Acetylcholine↗

Evaluation of macrocirculatory endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasoreactivity in vascular disease.

Macrocirculatory endothelium-dependent and independent vasodilatation is integral to tissue-bed oxygen delivery and homeostasis. Dysfunction of macrocirculatory vasoreactivity is a precursor to atherosclerosis and occurs in a similar fashion in multiple tissue beds long before the onset of symptoms. Impaired macrocirculatory vasodilatation has been shown to occur in certain disease states including diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, chronic renal failure, peripheral arterial atherosclerosis, and abdominal aortic aneurysms, as well as secondary to smoking, advanced age, menopause, high-fat diet, and sedentary lifestyle. Brachial artery vasoreactivity is a noninvasive means of assessing macrocirculatory vasodilatory capacity that may help identify patients at increased risk for peripheral and cardiovascular disease and allow for objective assessment and monitoring of treatment. Endothelium-dependent vasoreactivity, or flow-mediated dilatation, is measured after brachial artery occlusion with a pneumatic blood pressure cuff, and endothelium-independent vasoreactivity is measured after the administration of sublingual nitroglycerin. The accuracy of brachial artery vasoreactivity is dependent on hematologic variables, as well as diurnal, day-to-day, ultrasound operator, and reader variations; however, the overall coefficient of variation is only 1.8%. We discuss the importance of the macrocirculation, investigative methods for evaluating macrocirculatory vasoreactivity, and review the literature of vasoreactivity in these different states.

Atherosclerosis↗

Recombinant activated protein C in sepsis: endothelium protection or endothelium therapy?

Endothelium dysfunction is one of the hallmarks of sepsis. Looney and Mattay, in the previous issue of Critical Care, highlight the role of activated protein C (APC) as a protective endothelial drug in septic situations. Nevertheless, the results of in vivo studies are less explicit and it remains uncertain whether these properties are relevant in human septic shock. Before considering recombinant APC (rAPC) as a therapeutic drug for the endothelium, we have to demonstrate its efficiency to protect or to reduce endothelium injury when infused a long time after the septic challenge. Nevertheless, if rAPC is efficient when infused in the early phase of septic challenge, we thus need to treat our patients earlier. At the least, genetically engineered variants have been designed with greater anti-apoptotic activity and reduced anticoagulant activity relative to wild-type APC. Further studies are needed to demonstrate the usefulness of these variants in septic shock therapy.

Animals↗

Absence of endothelium in invertebrate blood vessels: significance of endothelium and sympathetic nerve/medial smooth muscle in the vertebrate vascular system.

In the course of evolution, two remarkable changes seem to have occurred in vertebrate circulation: the appearance and development of the "endothelium or endothelial tubular system" and "sympathetic nerve/medial smooth muscle system". In the present article, some relevant literature is reviewed and discussed. Absence of endothelium in the vascular wall of most invertebrates had been known and was confirmed by recent electron microscopic studies. The medial smooth muscle is rather proper to vertebrate vessels. It seems to have appeared after emergence of and in association with the endothelial tubular system. Phylogenetically, the parasympathetic nervous system is thought to be older than the sympathetic system. The former is distributed to viscera and the latter developed in close relation with the vascular system. It is assumed that during evolution, a circulatory system composed of the heart and endothelial tubular system first formed in vertebrates, medial smooth muscle then appeared for regulation of the system, and innervation of the muscle tissue took place. This sequence of development assumed for phylogenesis is actually realized in the ontogenetic processes. We thus propose a hypothesis that the "sympathetic nerve/medial smooth muscle system" may be regarded as a new neuroeffector mechanism that developed for systemic regulation of the endothelium-lined closed vascular system in vertebrates. A few implications of the hypothesis are presented.

Animals↗

[Role of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor in shear stress-induced endothelium-dependent relaxations of rats].

AIM: To investigate the role and mechanism of endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) in shear stress induced vasorelaxation of rat mesenteric artery. METHODS: The changes in vessel diameter in response to variable flow (0-300 microL.min(-1)) were continuously examined. The contribution of prostacyclin (PGI2), NO and EDHF to shear stress induced relaxation were analyzed by inhibitory effects of indomethacin, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NA) and KCl. The nature and hyperpolarizing mechanism of EDHF were examined by the inhibitory effects of inhibitors of cytochrome P450 pathway and of various K+ channels. RESULTS: The shear stress-induced relaxation were endothelium dependent and the contribution of NO was more prominent in large mesenteric arteries (400-500 microm) than that in resistance arteries (150-250 microm), whereas that of EDHF was noted in both-sized blood vessels. Tetrabutylammonium (a nonselective inhibitor of K channels) almost abolished, whereas the combination of charybdotoxin (an inhibitor of both large and intermediate-conductance Ca2+-activated K channels) and apamin (an inhibitor of small-conductance Ca2+-activated K channels) significantly inhibited the EDHF-mediated component of the shear stress-induced relaxations. CONCLUSION: EDHF plays an important role in shear stress-induced endothelium-dependent relaxations, and K channels especially calcium-activated K channels appear to be involved.

Animals↗

[Activation of endothelium in cardiac surgery: the circulating levels of soluble E-selectin as a marker of the activation of endothelium].

Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is associated with a whole body inflammatory response which may have detrimental consequence resulting in post perfusion syndrome. Adhesion molecule E-selectin plays a pivotal role in the inflammatory response, especially in the interaction of endothelium and neutrophils. Soluble form of E-selectin (sE-selectin) is thought to be a marker of endothelial activation. To evaluate the activation of endothelium during CPB with heparin coated and un-coated extracorporeal circuits, we measured plasma levels of sE-selectin, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), and neutrophil elastase in 16 patients having coronary artery bypass grafting. sE-selectin plasma concentration increased during or after CPB. Significantly lower maximum levels of sE-selectin are observed in patients perfused with heparin coated extracorporeal circuits. Maximum values of sE-selectin correlated with plasma levels of TNF alpha and neutrophil elastase in each patient. These observations suggest that endothelium is activated by extracorporeal circulation in cardiac surgery, and this activation was attenuated by heparin coating of extracorporeal circuits.

Aged↗

Endothelium-derived relaxing factors: a focus on endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor(s).

Endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) is defined as the non-nitric oxide (NO) and non-prostacyclin (PGI2) substance that mediates endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization (EDH) of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Although both NO and PGI2 have been demonstrated to hyperpolarize VSMC by cGMP- and cAMP-dependent mechanisms, respectively, and in the case of NO by cGMP-independent mechanisms, a considerable body of evidence suggests that an additional cellular mechanism must exist that mediates EDH. Despite intensive investigation, there is no agreement as to the nature of the cellular processes that mediates the non-NO/PGI2 mediated hyperpolarization. Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EET), an endogenous anandamide, a small increase in the extracellular concentration of K+, and electronic coupling via myoendothelial cell gap junctions have all been hypothesized as contributors to EDH. An attractive hypothesis is that EDH is mediated via both chemical and electrical transmissions, however, the contribution from chemical mediators versus electrical transmission varies in a tissue- and species-dependent manner, suggesting vessel-specific specialization. If this hypothesis proves to be correct then the potential exists for the development of vessel and organ-selective vasodilators. Because endothelium-dependent vasodilatation is dysfunctional in disease states (i.e., atherosclerosis), selective vasodilators may prove to be important therapeutic agents.

Animals↗

[The role of endothelium-derived contracting factor (EDCF) and endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF) in the aorta of the rat: identification of EDCF].

The present experiment was performed to identify endothelium-derived contracting factor produced by acetylcholine stimulation in the aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). The rings of the thoracic aorta were obtained from age-matched SHR and WKY, and changes in isometric tension were recorded. The relaxant responses to acetylcholine in the rings from SHR were significantly weaker than those obtained in WKY. The relaxant responses to acetylcholine were significantly enhanced by pretreatment with a cyclooxygenase-inhibitor (indomethacin) or thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 receptor antagonist (ONO-3708) both in the SHR and WKY rings. A thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitor (OKY-046) did not affect the acetylcholine-induced relaxation in the rings from SHR or WKY. In the organ bath solution, following acetylcholine stimulation, prostaglandin E2 and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha concentrations increased, but prostaglandin F2 alpha and thromboxane B2 concentrations did not increase. Exogenous prostaglandin H2, a stable analogue of thromboxane A2 (STA2) and prostaglandin F2 alpha induced contractions of the SHR rings at a lower concentration than prostaglandin E2, prostaglandin D2 and prostaglandin I2. These contractile responses to various prostaglandins were markedly inhibited by pretreatment with ONO-3708. A prostacyclin synthetase inhibitor did not affect the relaxant responses to acetylcholine in the SHR rings. These results show that endothelium-derived contracting factor is produced and released by acetylcholine stimulation not only in the aorta of SHR but also in that of WKY. The results also suggest that prostaglandin H2, a precursor of the released prostaglandins, is a strong candidate for endothelium-derived contracting factor produced by acetylcholine stimulation.

Animals↗

IL-1 activation of endothelium supports VLA-4 (CD49d/CD29)-mediated monocyte transendothelial migration to C5a, MIP-1 alpha, RANTES, and PAF but inhibits migration to MCP-1: a regulatory role for endothelium-derived MCP-1.

We investigated the effect of interleukin-1 (IL-1) activation of human umbilical vein endothelium (HUVE) on human monocyte transendothelial migration induced by chemotactic factors. Monocyte migration across unactivated endothelium in response to macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha), RANTES, platelet-activating factor (PAF), or monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) was completely inhibited (90%) by monoclonal antibodies (mAbs; 60.3) to CD18 of the CD11/CD18 complex on the monocyte and partially inhibited (by 75%) in response to C5a. When the HUVE was stimulated with IL-1 alpha (5 h, 0.1 ng/ml), monocyte migration in response to C5a, MIP-1 alpha, RANTES, or PAF was no longer inhibited by mAb to CD18. However, migration was blocked by the combination of mAb to the alpha 4-integrin (CD49d) chain of very late antigen-4 (CD49d/CD29) with the mAb to CD18. In contrast to the above stimuli, activation of the HUVE with IL-1 alpha inhibited the transendothelial migration of monocytes in response to MCP-1. mAbs to the adhesion molecules up-regulated on HUVE by IL-1, i.e., E-selectin (CD62E), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (CD54) or vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD106), did not reverse the inhibitory effect. Transendothelial migration in response to MCP-1 but not to C5a was inhibited by the treatment of monocytes with culture supernatant from IL-1 alpha-stimulated (but not from unstimulated) HUVE. Such supernatant contained chemotactic activity for monocytes, and a mAb to MCP-1 blocked the migration inhibitory effect of IL-1 activation of the HUVE monolayer, as well as the chemotactic activity in the supernatant from IL-1-stimulated HUVE. The inhibitory effect on migration of IL-1-stimulated HUVE was specific for monocytes because polymorphonuclear leukocyte transendothelial migration in response to IL-8 (a related chemokine) was not inhibited by IL-1 activation of HUVE.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cell Adhesion Molecules↗

NG-nitro-L-arginine antagonizes endothelium-dependent dilator responses by inhibiting endothelium-derived relaxing factor release in the isolated rabbit heart.

The effects of a recently described inhibitor of endothelial NO synthesis, NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), on the vasomotor responses to endothelium-dependent and independent vasodilators, and on the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (EDRF), were studied in the isolated saline-perfused rabbit heart. Infusion of L-NNA (30 microM) resulted in a 52 +/- 12% increase in basal coronary perfusion pressure. The vasomotor responses to 1 microM acetylcholine (ACh) and serotonin after L-NNA became biphasic, showing a small transient dilation followed by a pronounced vasoconstriction. In contrast, the dilation observed with sodium nitroprusside was not affected by L-NNA. None of the above-mentioned effects was elicited by the stereo-isomer D-NNA. Similarly, an increase in the basal coronary perfusion pressure by endothelin-1 (0.3 nM) to the same level as observed with L-NNA did not alter the vasomotor responses to ACh and sodium nitroprusside. The increase in cyclic GMP (cGMP) in platelets passing through the coronary vascular bed was used as an index of EDRF release. Platelet cGMP amounted to 0.50 +/- 0.10 pmol/mg protein after passage through the coronary bed of the unstimulated heart. When platelets were injected during an ACh infusion (1 microM), a 2.7 fold increase in cGMP was observed (P less than 0.01). After a 30-min infusion with L-NNA, the cGMP content of platelets passing through the unstimulated heart was reduced by 62%. Likewise, the ACh-induced increase in platelet cGMP was totally blocked. These results show that L-NNA inhibits EDRF release, and is thus a potent and selective inhibitor of EDRF-mediated dilation in the isolated rabbit heart.

Acetylcholine↗