Prostacyclin secretion by human endothelial cells grown on carbodiimide cross-linked proteins: An assessment of the cytocompatibility of a substratum

Abstract

Prostacyclin production by human umbilical vein endothelial cells cultured on carbodiimide cross-linked albumin and/or gelatin was quantified during the exponential growth phase and in confluent cultures as a response to arachidonic acid stimulus. In confluent cultures, basal production of prostacyclin measured by radioimmunoassay of the stable metabolite 6-keto-PGF 1a was comparable for both substrates to a control culture. Maximal release of prostacyclin occurred during the first 24 h following cell seeding and these values were significantly higher in media from cultures performed on membranes. In both cases, PGI 2 production decreased as cell density increased. After stimulation with 20μM arachidonic acid for 20 min, media from confluent cells grown on membranes contained slightly greater amounts of PGI 2 than control culture medium. These results indicate involvement of substratum in PGI 2 release. Early enhancement of PGI 2 secretion could improve biocompatibility of membranes by preventing platelet aggregation.