Increase In Albumin Transfer Research Articles

Zinc Protects against Tumor Necrosis Factor-Induced Disruption of Porcine Endothelial Cell Monolayer Integrity

Some nutrients influence the metabolic response of cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor. Inadequate levels of the essential trace element zinc may play a role in tumor necrosis factor-induced disruption of the vascular endothelial barrier function. To test this hypothesis, endothelial cells cultured on polycarbonate filters or culture plates were exposed to six different treatments for 3 d: medium 199 enriched with 5% fetal bovine serum (control), control+two levels of supplemental zinc (7.7 and 12.3 mumol/L medium), tumor necrosis factor (5 x 10(5) U/L) and tumor necrosis factor+the two levels of Zn as noted previously. Endothelial barrier function, expressed as albumin transfer across cultured endothelial monolayers, was not affected by Zn enrichment alone. Tumor necrosis factor treatment significantly increased albumin transfer compared with control cultures. The lower concentration of Zn partially and the higher concentration totally prevented the tumor necrosis factor-induced increase in albumin transfer. The increase in cytosolic release of [3H]adenine (marker of cell injury) induced by tumor necrosis factor was prevented by added Zn. Tumor necrosis factor treatment significantly decreased angiotensin-converting enzyme activity, and tumor necrosis factor also decreased activities of two other membrane-bound enzymes, total ATPase and Ca(2+)-ATPase. These activities all were restored by Zn enrichment. Tumor necrosis factor treatment caused a decrease in cellular Zn concentration, which was prevented when the culture media were enriched with Zn. These data suggest that an important relationship exists between Zn status and tumor necrosis factor-induced endothelial cell dysfunction.

Attenuation of Endotoxin-Induced Acute Lung Injury by the Rho-Associated Kinase Inhibitor, Y-27632

A small GTPase, Rho, plays key roles in cell adhesion, motility, and contraction after stimulation. Among Rho effectors isolated, the family of Rho-associated coiled-coil-forming protein kinases (ROCK) is implicated in Rho-mediated cell adhesion and smooth muscle contraction. The effect of a specific inhibitor of ROCK, Y-27632, was evaluated in a murine model of acute lung injury induced by intravenous injection of Escherichia coli endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]). Lung edema was evaluated by measuring extravascular leakage of radio-labeled serum albumin, and neutrophil emigration into the lung parenchyma by morphometric observation and measuring myeloperoxidase activity. Pretreatment with Y-27632 attenuated both lung edema and neutrophil emigration after LPS. We also measured albumin transfer through cultured endothelial cell monolayers on a porous filter. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha significantly increased albumin transfer, which was attenuated by pretreatment with Y-27632. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that morphologic changes in endothelial cells induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha were inhibited by Y-27632. In contrast, the increased fraction of neutrophils with polymerized actin after formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine was not altered by Y-27632. These data suggest that ROCK may play an important role in the pathogenesis of LPS-induced lung injury and that ROCK inhibition could attenuate cytoskeletal rearrangement of endothelial cells, leading to decreased neutrophil emigration into the lung parenchyma.

The role of methyl-linoleic acid epoxide and diol metabolites in the amplified toxicity of linoleic acid and polychlorinated biphenyls to vascular endothelial cells.

Selected dietary lipids may increase the atherogenic effects of environmental chemicals, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), by cross-amplifying mechanisms leading to dysfunction of the vascular endothelium. We have shown previously that the omega-6 parent fatty acid, linoleic acid, or 3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB 77), an aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor agonist, independently can cause disruption of endothelial barrier function. Furthermore, cellular enrichment with linoleic acid can amplify PCB-induced endothelial cell dysfunction. We hypothesize that the amplified toxicity of linoleic acid and PCBs to endothelial cells could be mediated in part by cytotoxic epoxide metabolites of linoleic acid called leukotoxins (LTX) or their diol derivatives (LTXD). Exposure to LTXD resulted in a dose-dependent increase in albumin transfer across endothelial cell monolayers, whereas this disruption of endothelial barrier function was observed only at a high concentration of LTX. Pretreatment with the cytosolic epoxide hydrolase inhibitor 1-cyclohexyl-3-dodecyl urea partially protected against the observed LTX-induced endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial cell activation mediated by LTX and/or LTXD also enhanced nuclear translocation of the transcription factor NF-kappa B and gene expression of the inflammatory cytokine IL-6. Inhibiting cytosolic epoxide hydrolase decreased the LTX-mediated induction of both NF-kappa B and the IL-6 gene, whereas the antioxidant vitamin E did not block LTX-induced endothelial cell activation. Most importantly, inhibition of cytosolic epoxide hydrolase blocked both linoleic acid-induced cytotoxicity, as well as the additive toxicity of linoleic acid plus PCB 77 to endothelial cells. Interestingly, cellular uptake and accumulation of linoleic acid was markedly enhanced in the presence of PCB 77. These data suggest that cytotoxic epoxide metabolites of linoleic acid play a critical role in linoleic acid-induced endothelial cell dysfunction. Furthermore, the severe toxicity of PCBs in the presence of linoleic acid may be due in part to the generation of epoxide and diol metabolites. These findings have implications in understanding interactive mechanisms of how dietary fats can modulate dysfunction of the vascular endothelium mediated by certain environmental contaminants.

Linoleic acid amplifies polychlorinated biphenyl-mediated dysfunction of endothelial cells.

Selected dietary lipids may increase the atherogenicity of environmental chemicals, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), by cross-amplifying mechanisms leading to dysfunction of the vascular endothelium. To investigate this hypothesis, cultured endothelial cells were treated with 90 microM linoleic acid (18:2n-6), followed by either one of two PCBs, 3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB 77) or 2,2'4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB 153). These PCBs were selected for their varying binding activities with the aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor and differences in their induction of cytochrome P450. PCB 77 disrupted endothelial barrier function by allowing an increase in albumin transfer across endothelial monolayers. Prior cellular enrichment with 18:2 before PCB treatment further diminished endothelial barrier function, as compared to cells treated only with the PCB. This phenomenon appears to be mediated by increased oxidative stress, which is supported by enhanced 2,7-dichlorofluorescein fluorescence, activation data of the oxidative stress-sensitive nuclear transcription factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), as well as an observed decrease in vitamin E content in the culture media. Similar to the endothelial permeability data, pre-enrichment of cells with 18:2 further increased the PCB-mediated induction of cytochrome P450 1A. In contrast to PCB 77, PCB 153 (or 18:2 plus PCB 153) had little or no effect on endothelial barrier function. Our results suggest that certain unsaturated fatty acids can potentiate PCB-mediated endothelial cell dysfunction and that oxidative stress and activation of the cytochrome P450 1A subfamily may be, in part, responsible for these metabolic events. These findings have implications for understanding the involvement of certain environmental contaminants in diseases that involve dysfunction of the vascular endothelium.

Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls causes endothelial cell dysfunction.

Environmental chemicals, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), may be atherogenic by disrupting normal functions of the vascular endothelium. To investigate this hypothesis, porcine pulmonary artery-derived endothelial cells were exposed to 3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB 77), 2,3,4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB 114), or 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB 153) for up to 24 hours. These PCBs were selected for their varying binding avidities with the aryl hydrocarbon (Ah) receptor and differences in their induction of cytochrome P450. PCB 77 and PCB 114 significantly disrupted, in a dose-dependent manner, endothelial barrier function by allowing an increase in albumin transfer across endothelial monolayers. These PCBs also contributed markedly to cellular oxidative stress, as measured by 2,7-dichlorofluorescin (DCF) fluorescence and lipid hydroperoxides, and caused a significant increase in intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) levels. Enhanced oxidative stress and [Ca2+]i in PCB 77- and PCB 114-treated cells were accompanied by increased activity and content of cytochrome P450 1A and by a decrease in the vitamin E content in the culture medium. In contrast to the effects of PCB 77 and PCB 114, cell exposure to PCB 153 had no effect on cellular oxidation, [Ca2+]i, or endothelial barrier function. These results suggest that certain PCBs may play a role in the development of atherosclerosis by causing endothelial cell dysfunction and a decrease in the barrier function of the vascular endothelium. It is possible that interaction of PCBs with the Ah receptor and activation of the cytochrome P450 1A subfamily are involved in this pathology.

Mechanisms of pertussis toxin-induced barrier dysfunction in bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cell monolayers

We have previously characterized several G proteins in endothelial cells (EC) as substrates for the ADP-ribosyltransferase activity of both pertussis (PT) and cholera toxin and described the modulation of key EC physiological responses, including gap formation and barrier function, by these toxins. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms involved in PT-mediated regulation of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells barrier function. PT caused a dose-dependent increase in albumin transfer, dependent upon action of the holotoxin, since neither the heat-inactivated PT, the isolated oligomer, nor the protomer induced EC permeability. PT-induced gap formation and barrier dysfunction were additive to either thrombin- or thrombin receptor-activating peptide-induced permeability, suggesting that thrombin and PT utilize distinct mechanisms. PT did not result in Ca2+ mobilization or alter either basal or thrombin-induced myosin light chain phosphorylation. However, PT stimulated protein kinase C (PKC) activation, and both PKC downregulation and PKC inhibition attenuated PT-induced permeability, indicating that PKC activity is involved in PT-induced barrier dysfunction. Like thrombin-induced permeability, the PT effect was blocked by prior increases in adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate. Thus PT-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of a G protein (possibly other than Gi) may regulate cytoskeletal protein interactions, leading to EC barrier dysfunction.

Proteoglycans and endothelial barrier function: effect of linoleic acid exposure to porcine pulmonary artery endothelial cells

Certain fatty acids induce changes in endothelial barrier function which may be mediated by alterations in normal proteoglycan synthesis/metabolism. To test this hypothesis, pulmonary artery derived endothelial cells were treated with media supplemented with linoleic acid (18:2), and/or a known proteoglycan synthesis inhibitor, β- d-xyloside. Independent exposure to 1 MM β- d-xyloside or 90 μM 18:2 increased albumin transfer, i.e., decreased barrier function, when compared with control cultures. 18:2 and β- d-xyloside increased albumin transfer additively, suggesting that the mechanisms by which 18:2 and β- d-xyloside alter the proteoglycan metabolism are different. Compared with the control group, treatment with 18:2 inhibited proteoglycan synthesis, decreased anionic properties of heparan sulfate proteoglycans in the cell monolayers and caused the release of a unique chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan into the culture media. Treatment with β- d-xyloside caused an increased incorporation of radioactive sulfate into glycosaminoglycans but inhibited proteoglycan synthesis. These results suggest that the fatty acid- and β- d-xyloside-induced impairment in endothelial barrier function may involve changes in the synthesis, release and physicochemical properties of proteoglycans.

Selective Disruption of Endothelial Barrier Function in Culture by Pure Fatty Acids and Fatty Acids Derived from Animal and Plant Fats

Endothelial cell integrity has been suggested to play a role in the development of atherosclerosis. The effects of fatty acids on endothelial barrier function were tested by measuring albumin transport across endothelial monolayers cultured on polycarbonate filters. Compared with control cultures, a 24-h exposure to 90 mumol/L lauric (12:0) and linoleic acid (18:2) but not to butyric (4:0), hexanoic (6:0), octanoic (8:0), decanoic (10:0), myristic (14:0), palmitic (16:0) or stearic acid (18:0) caused an increase in albumin transfer across endothelial monolayers. Selective enrichment of a "physiological" serum fatty acid mixture (FA-Mix; 90 mumol/L) with 90 mumol/L of 12:0 or 18:2 significantly increased albumin transfer, whereas enrichment with 90 mumol/L of 4:0, 16:0 or 18:0 significantly decreased albumin transfer relative to 180 mumol/L FA-Mix. Only 12:0- or 18:2-treated cultures showed increased Ca(++)-ATPase activity and the presence of lipid droplets. Fatty acids (60 mumol/L) extracted from butter fat and beef tallow had no effect on albumin transfer, whereas fatty acids extracted from chicken fat and corn oil consistently disrupted endothelial barrier function. This fat-induced disruption of endothelial barrier function seems to be related to the amount of 18:2 present in each fat source. These data indicate that unsaturated fats cause cellular perturbations that result in a decrease in endothelial barrier function in this model system, and that high dietary levels of unsaturated fats may be detrimental to cell integrity.

Arterial endothelial barrier dysfunction: actions of homocysteine and the hypoxanthine‐xanthine oxidase free radical generating system

1. Endothelial barrier function was assessed by use of an in vitro model in which transfer of trypan blue-labelled albumin was measured across monolayers of bovine aortic endothelial cells grown on polycarbonate membranes. 2. Addition of either hypoxanthine (0.2 mM) or xanthine oxidase (20 mu ml-1) alone during a 90 min incubation did not affect albumin transfer across endothelial cell monolayers, but a combination of both increased transfer. 3. The increase in albumin transfer induced by hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase was abolished by catalase (3 u ml-1), reduced by allopurinol (4 mM), but unaffected by superoxide dismutase (6000 u ml-1), the hydroxyl radical scavengers, mannitol (15 mM), dimethylthiourea (10 mM) and N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)-glycine (1 mM), the iron chelator, deferoxamine (0.5 mM), ferric chloride (50 microM), an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, NG-nitro-L-arginine (30 microM), or the antioxidant, dithiothreitol (3 mM). 4. Hydrogen peroxide (0.1-30 mM) itself increased albumin transfer across endothelial cell monolayers, exhibiting a biphasic concentration-response curve. The increase induced by 0.1 mM hydrogen peroxide was abolished in the presence of 0.3 u ml-1 catalase whilst that induced by 10 mM hydrogen peroxide was abolished by 3000 u ml-1 catalase. 5. Homocysteine (0.5-1.5 mM) did not affect albumin transfer across endothelial monolayers when added alone, but when added in combination with copper sulphate (50 microM), which catalyses its oxidation, a significant increase in albumin transfer was observed. 6. The increase in albumin transfer induced by the combination of homocysteine (1.5 mM) and copper sulphate was abolished by catalase (1 u ml-1), but was unaffected by superoxide dismutase (6000 u ml-1), mannitol (15 mM), dimethylthiourea (1 mM) or deferoxamine (0.5 mM).7. The data suggest that the endothelial barrier dysfunction induced by the combination of hypoxanthine and xanthine oxidase is mediated solely by the action of hydrogen peroxide and not by superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical, peroxynitrite anion or hypochlorous acid. The copper-catalysed oxidation of homocysteine also induces endothelial barrier dysfunction through the generation of hydrogen peroxide.These findings may have relevance to the endothelial barrier dysfunction associated with ischaemia reperfusion injury and the atherogenic actions of homocysteine.

Modulation of barrier function of bovine aortic and pulmonary artery endothelial cells: dissociation from cytosolic calcium content.

1. Barrier function and cytosolic free calcium content [Ca2+]i was measured in monolayers of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAEC) and bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC). 2. Thrombin (1 u ml-1) increased albumin transfer across monolayers of BPAEC but not BAEC, yet induced biphasic increases in [Ca2+]i in both endothelial cell types, consisting of a rapid, initial phasic component which decayed to a lower, more sustained plateau phase. 3. 4 beta-Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA; 0.3-3000 nM) increased albumin transfer across monolayers of BPAEC and BAEC, but had no effect on basal levels of [Ca2+]i in either endothelial cell type. 4. Treatment of BPAEC and BAEC with forskolin (30 microM), an activator of adenylate cyclase, had no effect on resting transfer of albumin, but inhibited that stimulated by PMA (600 nM). It also inhibited the thrombin (1 u ml-1)-induced increase in albumin transfer across monolayers of BPAEC, but enhanced the plateau phase of the associated increase in [Ca2+]i. 5. Treatment of BPAEC and BAEC with either atriopeptin II (100 nM), an activator of particulate guanylate cyclase, or 8 bromo cyclic GMP (30 microM) had no effect on resting or PMA (600 nM)-stimulated transfer of albumin. Both agents did, however, inhibit the thrombin (1 u ml-1)-induced increase in albumin transfer across monolayers of BPAEC, but had no effect on the associated increase in [Ca2+]i. 6. These data suggest a dissociation between the ability of agents that increase or decrease albumin transfer and their effects on [Ca2+]i. Consequently, activation of protein kinase C may be the major stimulus for trans-endothelial transfer of macromolecular solutes. Endothelial barrier function is enhanced by elevation of either cyclic AMP or cyclic GMP content. Cyclic AMP appears to act by inhibiting the actions of protein kinase C, while cyclic GMP may act to inhibit a key step proximal to activation of this enzyme.

Disruption of endothelial barrier function by lipolytic remnants of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins

Remnants, resulting from the lipolysis of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins, injured cultured endothelial cells and resulted in decreased barrier function of the vascular endothelium. Endothelial cells were cultured on micropore filters. Albumin transfer across endothelial cell monolayers was measured after a 24-h exposure to media enriched with control or in vitro-lipolyzed samples of various hypertriglyceridemic (HTG) sera and its isolated lipoprotein (VLDL, LDL and HDL) and serum free protein ( d > 1.21 g/ml) fractions. Compared with control cultures, neither control HTG serum nor its isolated lipoprotein and serum-free protein fractions had any effect on albumin transfer. In contrast, lipolyzed HTG (L-HTG) serum and all of its isolated lipoprotein fractions (L-VLDL, L-IDL, L-LDL and L-HDL) caused a marked decrease in endothelial barrier function, evidenced by a significant increase in albumin transfer across endothelial monolayers. The L-IDL and L-HDL fractions were more effective in increasing albumin transfer than the L-VLDL and L-LDL fractions. The extent of the L-IDL and L-HDL mediated increases in albumin transfer was concentration dependent. An exposure of 12 h was required for L-HDL to increase albumin transfer. The L-HDL mediated increase in albumin transfer was reversible only after a 12-h exposure at low concentrations. The free protein fraction from L-HTG serum had no significant effect on the barrier function of endothelial cells. The presence of normolipidemic HDL in culture medium prevented disruption of the endothelial barrier induced by L-IDL but not by L-HDL. The decrease in endothelial barrier function induced by lipolyzed samples of HTG serum or lipoproteins appeared to be correlated with the level of free fatty acids contained in lipolytic remnants. Enrichment of LDL, and in particular HDL, with fatty acid significantly increased albumin transfer. Compared with lipolyzed samples, sera/lipoproteins oxidized in vitro by Cu 2+, ions had little effect on endothelial barrier function, which did not correlate with their respective thiobarbituric acid-reacting substance (TBARS) values. TBARS remained within normal range after L-HDL incubation with endothelial cells for up to 48 h. At most concentrations tested, exposure to lipolyzed but not oxidized lipoproteins resulted in morphological perturbations of cell monolayers. These data suggest that lipolytic remnants of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins may play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis by decreasing the barrier function of the vascular endothelium. The remnant-induced injury of the arterial wall may permit the entry of cholesterol-rich lipolytic remnants as well as LDL into the arterial wall.

Interleukin-1 alpha and -beta augment pulmonary artery transendothelial albumin flux in vitro.

Human recombinant interleukin-1 alpha (rIL-1 alpha) and -beta were studied to determine whether either could alter the permeability of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cell monolayers. Endothelial cells were grown to confluence on filters mounted in chemotaxis chambers placed in wells. Barrier function of the monolayers was assessed by placing 14C-labeled bovine serum albumin ([14C]BSA) in the upper chamber and sampling the lower well for [14C]BSA. rIL-1 alpha induced a significant (P less than 0.01) dose- and time-dependent increase in transendothelial [14C]BSA flux. rIL-1 alpha exposures as brief as 30 min increased permeability, but the increased albumin transfer could not be demonstrated before 4 h after exposure. Exposures up to 6 h were reversible at 24 h. rIL-1 alpha induced significantly (P less than 0.01) greater increments in [14C]BSA flux than did equivalent exposures to rIL-1 beta. No important differences between bovine and human rIL-1 beta were demonstrated. Increased transendothelial flux could not be ascribed to either endothelial cytotoxicity or growth inhibition. There was no additive or synergistic relationship between rIL-1 alpha and human recombinant tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Our studies suggest that IL-1 alpha and -beta may play a role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary vascular leak.

Oxysterols, Cholesterol Biosynthesis, and Vascular Endothelial Cell Monolayer Barrier Function

A spectrum of cholesterol oxidation derivatives (oxysterols) is generated in food products exposed to heat or radiation in the presence of oxygen. One of these derivatives (cholestan-3 beta,5 alpha,6 beta-triol) was shown to compromise the selective barrier function of cultured vascular endothelial cell monolayers, an action that may initiate atherosclerotic lesion formation. This study sought to investigate the relationship of cholesterol synthesis inhibition by several naturally occurring oxysterols to depression of vascular endothelial cell monolayer barrier function, determined as an increase in albumin transfer across cultured endothelial monolayers. All oxysterols tested caused a variable time- and dose-dependent elevation in trans-endothelial albumin transfer, and they were also able to inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis to varying degrees. Pure cholesterol was without effect on both counts. The correlation between the increase in albumin transfer related to oxysterol exposure and the ability of oxysterols to suppress cholesterol biosynthesis was, however, poor. Moreover, mevinolin, a water-soluble competitive inhibitor of cholesterol synthesis, reduced the rate of cholesterol synthesis to 0.9% of control but did not significantly increase albumin transfer. Cholestan-3 beta,5 alpha,6 beta-triol caused a 660% elevation in albumin transfer while cholesterol synthesis remained at 11% of control. We conclude that changes in endothelial barrier function caused by exposure to the oxysterols examined, but not pure cholesterol, are probably related to factors other than the well-known action of cholesterol biosynthesis inhibition. These findings may have implications in the development of atherosclerosis.

Protective effects of calcium channel blockers on hydrogen peroxide induced increases in endothelial permeability

The aim was to examine the effects of calcium channel blockers on the permeability of endothelial cells and to determine whether these agents could protect against increases in endothelial permeability induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Endothelial cells were cultured on collagen coated micropore filters. When they were confluent on the filter, albumin transfer and electrical resistance across the endothelial monolayers were measured. Endothelial cells were obtained from human umbilical veins. The cells at the 2nd to 4th passage were used for the experiments. Nilvadipine (10(-8) M) suppressed endothelial albumin transfer by 37.2% (p less than 0.01) and enhanced electrical resistance by 25.8% (p less than 0.01), whereas nicardipine (10(-7) M), diltiazem (10(-7) M), and verapamil (10(-7) M) had no significant effect on either variable without the addition of H2O2. H2O2(0.2 mM) increased albumin transfer by 164% (p less than 0.01) and reduced electrical resistance by 67% (p less than 0.01) across endothelial monolayers without endothelial cell lysis. Nilvadipine (10(-8) M) and nicardipine (10(-7) M) inhibited the (0.2 mM) H2O2 induced increases in endothelial albumin transfer and decreases in electrical resistance more strongly than diltiazem and verapamil, although all of these agents significantly reduced such injury. Nilvadipine is a potent inhibitor of endothelial permeability and of hydrogen peroxide induced increases in permeability.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha augments pulmonary arterial transendothelial albumin flux in vitro

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) has been implicated as a mediator of pulmonary vascular endothelial injury. We studied the effect of human recombinant TNF alpha (rTNF alpha) on transfer of 14C-labeled bovine serum albumin (BSA) across cultured bovine pulmonary arterial endothelial cell monolayers. rTNF alpha induced a dose-, time-, and temperature-dependent increment in transendothelial [14C]BSA flux. Only after an incubation time of greater than or equal to 4 h did rTNF alpha significantly (P less than 0.005) increase transendothelial albumin flux. rTNF alpha exposure times as brief as 5 min induced significantly (P less than 0.005) increased albumin transfer at 6 h. Although this initial rTNF alpha-endothelial interaction was not temperature dependent, the subsequent barrier dysfunction could only be generated at 37 degrees C. The rTNF alpha-induced changes could not be ascribed to endothelial cell cytotoxicity and was not blocked by protein synthesis inhibition. The effects of rTNF alpha on endothelial permeability were reversible and not specific for albumin transfer. Therefore, rTNF alpha may influence the movement of macromolecules across the pulmonary vascular endothelial barrier.

Linoleic acid and linolenic acid: effect on permeability properties of cultured endothelial cell monolayers

High circulating plasma levels of free fatty acids may injure endothelial cells, resulting in decreased barrier function of the vascular endothelium. The effect of media supplementation with varying concentrations of either linoleic (C18:2 omega 6) or linolenic acid (C18:3 omega 3) on albumin transfer across cultured endothelial monolayers was studied. A 24-h cell exposure to linoleic but not linolenic acid resulted in a concentration dependent and largely reversible increase in albumin transfer. Both fatty acids and in particular linolenic acid incorporated into cellular phospholipids. In contrast, only supplementation with linoleic but not linolenic acid resulted in an increased incorporation of this fatty acid into cell triglycerides. Similarly, only total cell triglyceride content increased after incubation with linoleic- but not with linolenic-enriched media. These results indicate that cellular enrichment with linoleic but not linolenic acid causes cellular perturbations that may be implicated in atherosclerosis.

Mechanisms and implications of hypoalbuminemia in head-injured patients.

Severely head-injured patients are hypermetabolic/hypercatabolic and exhibit many aspects of the postinjury acute-phase response. These patients have hypoalbuminemia, hypozincemia, hypoferremia, hypercupria, fever, and increased synthesis of acute-phase proteins such as ceruloplasmin and higher C-reactive protein levels. It has been suggested that increased interleukin-1 (IL-1) in the ventricular fluid may be responsible, at least in part, for these metabolic abnormalities. In the present study, serum albumin levels were evaluated throughout an 18-day study period in 62 head-injured patients receiving aggressive nutritional support. Hypoalbuminemia (mean +/- standard error of the mean 3.10 +/- 0.2 gm/dl; normal value 3.5 to 5 gm/dl) was observed upon hospital admission; these albumin levels continued to decrease until 2 weeks postinjury, despite aggressive nutritional support. This hypoalbuminemia may be mediated via altered endothelial permeability properties due to endothelial cell dysfunction caused by cytokines such as IL-1. Transendothelial movement of albumin was assayed using a pulmonary artery endothelial cell culture system. Both a crude macrophage supernatant derived from a murine P388D cell line having IL-1 activity (mIL-1) and human recombinant IL-1 (rIL-1) were tested. The amount of albumin transferred was time- and concentration-dependent, with maximal transfer at 24 hours and 20 U of mIL-1 per 0.5 ml of culture medium. Endothelial permeability changes observed after incubation with mIL-1 were confirmed using rIL-1. Compared to control cultures, 20 U of rIL-1 and 20 U of mIL-1 increased albumin transfer across endothelial monolayers 205% and 459%, respectively. These findings suggest that the mechanism of hypoalbuminemia seen after severe head trauma can be explained in part by IL-1-induced endothelial cell injury, resulting in enhanced endothelial permeability to albumin.

Cholestan-3gb,5α,6β-triol decreases barrier function of cultured endothelial cell monolayers

Cholesterol oxidation products (oxysterols) found in foods may be atherogenic, possibly by altering the barrier function of the vascular endothelium. To investigate this hypothesis, endothelial cells were cultured on micropore filters and the effect of cholesterol and the oxysterol cholestan-3β,5α,6β-triol (Triol) on albumin transfer across cultured vascular endothelial monolayers (ECM) was studied. Exposure to Triol significantly increased albumin transfer across ECM. The effect of Triol on endothelial cell barrier function was time and concentration dependent, with maximum albumin transfer being reached at 20 μM Triol and after a 24-h exposure. Pure cholesterol, on the other hand, did not affect albumin transfer at concentrations as high as 130 μM Although an increase in albumin transfer across ECM was observed after a 2-h incubation with Triol-enriched media, a 24-h incubation period was necessary to cause a significant release of cellular lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) into the culture media. Morphological perturbations of the cell monolayers were observed at approx. 14–18 h after cell exposure to Triol-enriched media. Enrichment with cholesterol or vitamin E did not prevent the Triol-induced increase in albumin transfer across ECM. These results suggest that exposure to oxidized cholesterol, but not cholesterol itself, reduces the ability of the endothelium to act as a selectively permeable barrier to plasma components, and that these events may not be prevented by cholesterol or vitamin E.

Cationic neutrophil proteins increase transendothelial albumin movement.

Neutrophils play a role in the development of pulmonary edema in many models of the adult respiratory distress syndrome, but the mechanism of their action is not completely understood. We asked whether two neutrophil secretory products, human neutrophil cationic protein (NCP) and human neutrophil elastase (HNE), would nonenzymatically alter the movement of albumin across a cultured endothelial monolayer. Both enzymes were inactivated by heating before use. HNE was additionally enzymatically inactivated with a chloromethylketone oligopeptide (CMK) inhibitor and with alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor (alpha 1-PI). Heated NCP, heated HNE, and CMK-complexed HNE all increased transendothelial albumin transfer. The cation protamine also increased albumin transfer across the endothelium and this increase was blocked by heparin. Alpha 1-PI and fetal bovine serum also prevented the cationic proteins from increasing albumin transfer. Using the release of lactate dehydrogenase as a marker of cytotoxicity, heated HNE was toxic to endothelial cells, heated NCP had only minimal toxicity, and protamine had no toxicity. Changes in endothelial cell shape with gap formation was seen after exposure to both heated HNE and heated NCP. Both the cytotoxicity associated with heated HNE and the cell shape changes associated with heated NCP and heated HNE could be blocked by heparin. These results suggest that in addition to neutrophil proteases and reactive O2 molecules, neutrophil-derived cationic proteins can directly and nonenzymatically contribute to edema formation during acute inflammation.