Multiple Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Genes Are Expressed by Cultured Human Endothelial Cells Obtained From Different Tissue Sites
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-1996
Description
Human endothelial cells (HEC) have been incriminated in the pathogenesis of such diverse disease states as asthma, pulmonary hypertension, coronary artery disease and vasculitis. Cytokines expressed by HEC can aid in development of chronic inflammation by inflammatory cell recruitment or activation. To determine the profile of cytokine genes expressed, and whether endothelium from different sites demonstrate differences in this cytokine expression, we studied HEC from 3 sites: umbilical vein (HUVEC), pulmonary (HPAEC) and coronary (HCAEC). Gene expression for a panel of pro-inflammatory cytokines (Interleukin la [IL-la], IL-1 receptor antagonist [IL-1RA], IL-2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 13, tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF a], granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor [GM-CSF] and interferon gamma [IFN y]) was studied by the reverse transcription-polyrn erase chain reaction (RT-PCR). HEC were cultured either in medium only or in the presence of TNF a and/or LPS for 0-3 hours, RNA extracted and subjected to RT-PCR for 45 cycles. The amplified products were analyzed in an ethidium bromide-stained agarose gel. HUVEC expressed GADPH (house-keeping gene), GM-CSF and IL-8 transcripts constitutively with the latter two being upregulated by activation. HCAEC expressed IL-1 a and GM-CSF constitutively, with activation inducing additional transcripts for IL-6 and IL-8. HPAEC also expressed IL- la, IL-6, IL-8 and GM-CSF transcripts following activation. No IL-1 RA, IL-2, 4 5, 13, TNF a or IFN y transcripts were detected under the conditions used. Although from differing sites, HEC demonstrate a similar capacity to express multiple pro-inflammatory cytokine genes. Such cytokines could be involved in leukocyte activation and adhesion, steps critical to the inflammatory process. Further studies aimed at evaluating the effects of multiple stimuli such as bradykinin, histamine, dexamethasone and/or pro-inflammatory cytokines on gene expression and cytokine secretion by HEC should shed light on the pathogenesis of inflammatory disease.
Citation Information
Mnkkamala, R.; Smith, J. K.; Joyner, W.; Chi, D. S.; Hall, K.; and Krishnaswamy, G.. 1996. Multiple Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine Genes Are Expressed by Cultured Human Endothelial Cells Obtained From Different Tissue Sites. Journal of Investigative Medicine. Vol.44(3). ISSN: 1708-8267