• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.80-85
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• 1993

Synthetic and biosynthetic vascular grafts of small diameter have long been considered to be prone to thrombosis, ultimately leading to the complete graft occlusion. Endothelial cell seeding onto synthetic blood-contacting surfaces has been suggested to be an ideal means to solve this problem. This study described a culture method of bovine endothelial cells and evaluated blood-compatibility and seeding efficiency of cultured endothelial cells. Bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells were harvested enzymatically and grown to confluence on polystyrene culture flask surfaces using established techniques. The identification of endothelial cells was made through the demonstration of expression of factor VIII R:Ag by immunofluorescent technique. To quantitate the effect of improvement in blood-compatibility of viable endothelial cells, endothelial monolayers were exposed to blood containing $\^$111/In-oxine labeled platelets. Viable endothelial monolayers retained less labeled platelets than control surfaces. The Indium-labeled endothelial cells were seeded onto three different blood-contacting surfaces of Dacron vascular graft immobilized in specially equipped wells and incubated for specific time intervals (t=15, 30, 60, 120 minutes). Longer incubation times showed improved cell adherence in collagen-coated and fibrin-coated Dacron vascular graft groups. However in untreated Dacron grafts, no direct relationship was observed between incubation time and endothelial cell seeding efficiency. This may be due to leakage of endothelial cells through porosity of Dacron grafts in this in-vitro experimental condition.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.87-92
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• 2016

Endothelial dysfunction in atherosclerosis is associated with increasing oxidative stress that could be reversed by antioxidant. Therefore epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epicatechin gallate (ECG), epigallocatechin (EGC) and catechin (C) of tea flavonoids were investigated for their roles in regenerating endothelial cell. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PB-MNCs) were isolated, plated and cultured in medium with/without treatment of EGCG, ECG, EGC and C. Results showed that among all EGCG, ECG, EGC and C concentrations tested, $12.5{\mu}mol/L$ was not cytotoxic for peripheral blood-derived endothelial progenitor cells (PB-EPCs). Treatment of EGCG, ECG, EGC or C increased the percentages of CD34, CD133, VEGFR-2 expressions and suppressed hydrogen peroxide-induced percentages of reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in PB-EPCs. Taken together, our current results showed that EGCG, ECG, EGC or C of tea flavonoids could induce differentiation of PB-MNCs into PB-EPCs as well as protect PB-EPCs from oxidative damage by suppresing the intracellular ROS levels.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2005

Stem cell therapy using mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) transplantation have been paid attention because of their powerful proliferation and pluripotent differentiating ability. Although umbilical cord blood (UCB) is well known to be a rich source of hematopoietic stem cells with practical and ethical advantages, the presence of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in UCB has been controversial and it remains to be validated. In this study, we examine the presence of MSCs in UCB harvests and the prevalence of them is compared to that of endothelial progenitor cells. For this, CD34+ and CD34- cells were isolated and cultured under the endothelial cell growth medium and mesenchymal stem cell growth medium respectively. The present study showed that ESC-like cells could be isolated and expanded from preterm UCBs but were not acquired efficiently from full-terms. They expressed CD14-, CD34-, CD45-, CD29+, CD44+, CD105+ cell surface marker and could differentiate into adipogenic and osteogenic lineages. Our results suggest that MSCs are fewer in full-term UCB compared to endothelial progenitor cells.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.111-112
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• 2019

Although many studies have reported that the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) represents one of the major pathological changes in aging, the mechanism underlying this process remains relatively unexplored. In this study, we described that acid sphingomyelinase (ASM) derived from endothelial cells plays a critical role in BBB disruption in aging. ASM levels were elevated in the brain endothelium and plasma of aged humans and mice, resulting in BBB leakage through an increase in caveolae-mediated transcytosis. Moreover, ASM caused damage to the caveolae-cytoskeleton via protein phosphatase 1-mediated ezrin/radixin/moesin dephosphorylation in primary mouse brain endothelial cells. Mice overexpressing brain endothelial cell-specific ASM exhibited acceleration of BBB impairment and neuronal dysfunction. However, genetic inhibition and endothelial specific knock-down of ASM in mice improved BBB disruption and neurocognitive impairment during aging. Results of this study revealed a novel role of ASM in the regulation of BBB integrity and neuronal function in aging, thus highlighting the potential of ASM as a new therapeutic target for anti-aging.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.66-73
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• 2009

Tumor angiogenesis is a process leading to formation of blood vessels within tumors and is crucial for maintaining a supply of oxygen and nutrients to support tumor growth and metastasis. Vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) plays a key role in tumor angiogenesis including induction of endothelial cell proliferation, migration, survival and capillary tube formation. VEGF binds to two distinct receptors on endothelial cells. VEGFR-2 is considered to be the dominant signaling receptor for endothelial cell permeability, proliferation, and differentiation. Bevacizumab(Avastin, Genetech, USA) is a monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor. It is used in the treatment of cancer, where it inhibits tumor growth by blocking the formation of new blood vessels. The goal of this study is to identify the anti-tumor effect of Bevacizumab(Avastin) for oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines. Human squamous cell carcinoma cell line(HN4) was used in this study. We examined the sensitivity of HN4 cell line to Bevacizumab(Avastin) by using in vitro proliferation assays. The results were as follows. 1. In the result of MTT assay according to concentration of Bevacizumab(Avastin), antiproliferative effect for oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines was observed. 2. The growth curve of cell line showed the gradual growth inhibition of oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines after exposure of Bevacizumab(Avastin). 3. In the apoptotic index, groups inoculated Bevacizumab(Avastin) were higher than control groups. 4. In condition of serum starvation, VEGFR-2 did not show any detectable autophosphorylation, whereas the addition of VEGF activated the receptor. Suppression of phosphorylated VEGFR-2 and phosphorylated MAPK was observed following treatment with Bevacizumab(Avastin) in a dose-dependent manner. 5. In TEM view, dispersed nuclear membrane, scattered many cytoplasmic vacuoles and localized chromosomal margination after Bevacizumab(Avastin) treatment were observed. These findings suggest that Bevacizumab(Avastin) has the potential to inhibit MAPK pathway in proliferation of oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines via inhibition of VEGF-dependent tumor growth.

• BMB Reports
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.345-352
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• 2008

The cerebral microvessels possess barrier characteristics which are tightly sealed excluding many toxic substances and protecting neural tissues. The specialized blood-neural barriers as well as the cerebral microvascular barrier are recognized in the retina, inner ear, spinal cord, and cerebrospinal fluid. Microvascular endothelial cells in the brain closely interact with other components such as astrocytes, pericytes, perivascular microglia and neurons to form functional 'neurovascular unit'. Communication between endothelial cells and other surrounding cells enhances the barrier functions, consequently resulting in maintenance and elaboration of proper brain homeostasis. Furthermore, the disruption of the neurovascular unit is closely involved in cerebrovascular disorders. In this review, we focus on the location and function of these various blood-neural barriers, and the importance of the cell-to-cell communication for development and maintenance of the barrier integrity at the neurovascular unit. We also demonstrate the close relation between the alteration of the blood-neural barriers and cerebrovascular disorders.

• Proceedings of the KSME Conference
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• 2000.04b
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• pp.531-534
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• 2000

The objective of this investigation is to find effects of the pulsatile flow on the morphological changes of the endothelial cell(E.C.) in blood vessel. The shear flow experiment system is used to get the morphological changes of the E.C. The shapes of E.C. are simulated by the cosine curves and computer simulation is used to calculate the pressure and shear stress fields on the E.C. The inlet boundary condition is given from the measured velocity data of femoral artery. The endothelial cells reduce their heights in the flow field so as to reduce the pressure and wall shear stress on the surface. As the exposed time increases, the shear stress and pressure on the E.C. are reduced under the pulsatile flow. The shear stresses on the cell surface show the minimum values during the deceleration phase.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.246-251
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• 2003

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is composed of the brain capillaries, which are lined by endothelial cells displaying extremely tight intercellular junctions. Several attempts at creating an in vitro model of the BBB have been met with moderate success as brain capillary endothelial cells lose their barrier properties when isolated in cell culture. This may be due to a lack of recreation of the in vivo endothelial cellular environment in these models, including nearly constant contact with astrocyte foot processes. This work is motivated by the hypothesis that growing endothelial cells on one side of an ultra-thin, highly porous membrane and differentiating astrocyte or astrogliomal cells on the opposite side will lead to a higher degree of interaction between the two cell types and therefore to an improved model. Here we describe our initial efforts towards testing this hypothesis including a procedure for membrane fabrication and methods for culturing endothelial cells on these membranes. We have fabricated a 1 $\mu\textrm{m}$ thick, 2.0 $\mu\textrm{m}$ pore size, and 55% porous membrane with a very narrow pore size distribution from low-stress silicon nitride (SiN) utilizing techniques from the microelectronics industry. We have developed a base, acid, autoclave routine that prepares the membranes for cell culture both by cleaning residual fabrication chemicals from the surface and by increasing the hydrophilicity of the membranes (confirmed by contact angle measurements). Gelatin, fibronectin, and a 50/50 mixture of the two proteins were evaluated as potential basement membrane protein treatments prior to membrane cell seeding. All three treatments support adequate attachment and growth on the membranes compared to the control.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.15-29
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• 2024

The development and differentiation of endothelial cells (ECs) are fundamental processes with significant implications for both health and disease. ECs, which are found in all organs and blood vessels, play a crucial role in facilitating nutrient and waste exchange and maintaining proper vessel function. Understanding the intricate signaling pathways involved in EC development holds great promise for enhancing vascularization, tissue engineering, and vascular regeneration. Hematopoietic stem cells originating from hemogenic ECs, give rise to diverse immune cell populations, and the interaction between ECs and immune cells is vital for maintaining vascular integrity and regulating immune responses. Dysregulation of vascular development pathways can lead to various diseases, including cancer, where tumor-specific ECs promote tumor growth through angiogenesis. Recent advancements in single-cell genomics and in vivo genetic labeling have shed light on EC development, plasticity, and heterogeneity, uncovering tissue-specific gene expression and crucial signaling pathways. This review explores the potential of ECs in various applications, presenting novel opportunities for advancing vascular medicine and treatment strategies.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.533-538
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• 2016

Angiogenesis plays an essential role in embryo development, tissue repair, inflammatory diseases, and tumor growth. In the present study, we showed that endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) regulates retinal angiogenesis. Mice that lack eNOS showed growth retardation, and retinal vessel development was significantly delayed. In addition, the number of tip cells and filopodia length were significantly reduced in mice lacking eNOS. Retinal endothelial cell proliferation was significantly blocked in mice lacking eNOS, and EMG-2-induced endothelial cell sprouting was significantly reduced in aortic vessels isolated from eNOS-deficient mice. Finally, pericyte recruitment to endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cell coverage to blood vessels were attenuated in mice lacking eNOS. Taken together, we suggest that the endothelial cell function and blood vessel maturation are regulated by eNOS during retinal angiogenesis.