Roles of Integrins of Endothelial Cells in Response to Mechanical Stimuli

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In order to elucidate the response mechanisms of endothelial cells to mechanical stimuli, dynamic changes in actin filaments and integrins were precisely observed using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Shear stress, membrane tension of substrate and hydrostatic pressure as mechanical stimuli were applied to cultured endothelial cells and the following conclusions were obtained.1.GFP-actin and RFP-FAT (focal adhesion targetting) vectors were transfected into cultured endothelial cells that were used to impose to shear stress. Actin filament was suggested to sense the tension and occur the dynamic changes as the first step. Secondly the lamellipodia were formed. During this process, it was suggested that the movement and allocation of integrins are possible to be controlled through microtubules.2.Endothelial cells were cultured on silicone membrane in which a cover glass was immersed to form heterogeneous strain distribution. A cell was exposed to non-uniform strain and showed that distribution of actin filaments and the location of nucleus was dependent on the strain distribution. It was suggested that the cell is able to sense mechanical stress and respond so as to keep the mechanical balance in the cell.3.We have reported the cultured endothelial cells respond to the hydrostatic pressure and show multilayering, cell elongation with no predominant orientation and characteristic distribution of actin filaments. To elucidate the mechanisms, we have focused on expression and distribution of VE-cadherin as an important protein to adhere the cells. It was suggested that the hydrostatic pressure has important effect on the expression of VE-cadherin.