Endothelial cell phenotype varies by sex and tissue of origin (664.3)

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Endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction is a hallmark of several vascular diseases (CVD) that also show female (F) vs. male (M) differences in incidence and severity. As these differences change with age, i.e., pre‐menopausal F < M, post‐menopausal F 蠅 M, it has been assumed that the reproductive sex hormones, particularly E2, account for the dichotomy. In spite of the correlations between hormonal changes and CVD incidence, data exist demonstrating sex‐hormone independent variations. Before the mechanisms regulating health and disease can be determined, the phenotypes of the F and M EC require description and comparison in the absence of changes in reproductive hormones. To this end we isolated EC from aorta (AEC), skeletal muscle (SkmEC) and mesenteric microvasculature (MesMEC) of young adult F and M Sprague Dawley rats. The EC evaluated under basal conditions for a variety of attributes, including morphology (size, shape, topology, EC‐specific characteristics), growth, metabolism, and receptor and signaling protein expression displayed multiple sex‐ and tissue‐specific differences. This knowledge facilitates the development of appropriate models for future investigations, both in vitro and in vivo.Grant Funding Source: Supported by DK095501, HCO6RR017353 & the MU Pulmonary/MPP Partnership