Shear Stress-Dependent Expression of Apoptosis-Regulating Genes in Endothelial Cells

Laminar shear stress exerts potent anti-apoptotic effects. Therefore, we analyzed the influence of laminar shear stress on the expression of apoptosis-regulating genes in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Application of high levels of laminar shear stress (15 and 30 dyn/cm2) decreased...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biochemical and biophysical research communications 2000-11, Vol.278 (3), p.740-746
Main Authors: Bartling, Babett, Tostlebe, Heike, Darmer, Dorothea, Holtz, Juergen, Silber, Rolf-Edgar, Morawietz, Henning
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
apoptosis
Apoptosis - physiology
Bcl-2 family
Bcl-xL protein
Cells, Cultured
DNA Primers
Endothelium, Vascular - cytology
Endothelium, Vascular - physiology
Fas
Fas antigen
fas Receptor - genetics
Gene Deletion
Gene Expression Regulation - physiology
Genes, bcl-2
Humans
HUVEC
laminar shear stress
Protein Isoforms - genetics
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 - genetics
Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
RNA, Messenger - genetics
shear stress
Stress, Mechanical
Transcription, Genetic
Umbilical Veins
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Laminar shear stress exerts potent anti-apoptotic effects. Therefore, we analyzed the influence of laminar shear stress on the expression of apoptosis-regulating genes in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Application of high levels of laminar shear stress (15 and 30 dyn/cm2) decreased the susceptibility of HUVEC to undergo apoptosis, whereas low shear stress (1 dyn/cm2) had no effect. These diminished signs of apoptosis were accompanied by a decreased mRNA expression of apoptosis-inducing Fas receptor. Furthermore, mRNA and protein expression of anti-apoptotic, soluble Fas isoform FasExo6Del and anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL were induced. Surprisingly, high shear stress also elevated mRNA and protein expression of pro-apoptotic Bak. The shear stress-induced up-regulation of Bcl-xL and Bak mRNA can be abrogated by inhibition of the endothelial NO synthase. We propose that altered expression of Bcl-xL and the Fas system is involved in the protective effect of laminar shear stress against apoptosis in human endothelial cells.
ISSN:0006-291X
1090-2104
DOI:10.1006/bbrc.2000.3873