Physiological Blood Flow Conditions Research Articles

SHIP1 and Lyn Kinase Negatively Regulate Integrin αIIbβ3 Signaling in Platelets

Integrin alpha(IIb)beta(3) plays a critical role in platelet function, promoting a broad range of functional responses including platelet adhesion, spreading, aggregation, clot retraction, and platelet procoagulant function. Signaling events operating downstream of this receptor (outside-in signaling) are important for these responses; however the mechanisms negatively regulating integrin alpha(IIb)beta(3) signaling remain ill-defined. We demonstrate here a major role for the Src homology 2 domain-containing inositol 5-phosphatase (SHIP1) and Src family kinase, Lyn, in this process. Our studies on murine SHIP1 knockout platelets have defined a major role for this enzyme in regulating integrin alpha(IIb)beta(3)-dependent phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3)) accumulation, necessary for a cytosolic calcium response and platelet spreading. SHIP1 phosphorylation and PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3) metabolism is partially regulated through Lyn kinase, resulting in an enhanced calcium flux and spreading response in Lyn-deficient mouse platelets. Analysis of platelet adhesion dynamics under physiological blood flow conditions revealed an important role for SHIP1 in regulating platelet adhesion on fibrinogen. Specifically, SHIP1-dependent PtdIns(3,4,5)P(3) metabolism down-regulates the stability of integrin alpha(IIb)beta(3)-fibrinogen adhesive bonds, leading to a decrease in the proportion of platelets forming shear-resistant adhesion contacts. These studies define a major role for SHIP1 and Lyn as negative regulators of integrin alpha(IIb)beta(3) adhesive and signaling function.

Real-time in vitro assay for studying chemoattractant-triggered leukocyte transendothelial migration under physiological flow conditions.

Leukocyte recruitment to inflamed and lymphoid tissues is mediated by sequential adhesive interactions between specialized vascular receptors and their endothelial counterligands (, , ). Following rolling and arrest on the endothelium, circulating immune cells locomote on and extravasate through the endothelial cell (EC) barrier (, , ). These steps must be delicately coordinated to allow leukocyte motility while maintaining leukocyte resistance to detachment by the high shear forces constantly exerted at the vessel wall. The key signals, which trigger leukocyte arrest on endothelial integrin ligands, are elicited by chemokines, presented on the apical surface of the endothelial lining at sites of leukocyte diapedesis (, , ). Recent observations from our lab () as well as from other labs (, , ) have pointed out that shear forces may transduce, together with endothelial chemokines, potent promigratory signals to adherent leukocytes at endothelial interfaces. These studies suggest that in vitro transendothelial migration (TEM) model systems should incorporate both the physiological blood flow conditions and chemokine presentation profiles that exist at sites of leukocyte emigration in the vasculature.

Measurement of absolute values of hemoglobin oxygenation in the brain of small rodents by near infrared reflection spectrophotometry

Reflection near infrared spectroscopy (reNIRS) has been proposed as a novel technique for the measurement of absolute values of total hemoglobin (tHb), oxygenated hemoglobin (oxHb), hemoglobin saturation (SO 2), and cytochrome aa 3 oxidation status (oxCyt aa 3) in living tissue. In this study, we evaluated reNIRS during physiological cerebral blood flow conditions in rats ( n=6) and during the induction of global cerebral ischemia in gerbils ( n=6). ReNIRS parameters were assessed over the exposed cerebral cortex and compared to regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) data obtained by laser Doppler flowmetry. Under physiological conditions, reNIRS measurements reflected the large intra- and interindividual variability of oxHb and tHb in the brain. The absolute values obtained by reNIRS for tHb (6.3±1.7 mg/ml), oxHb (3.7±1.1 mg/ml), and SO 2 (61±5%) matched expected values. In contrast, measurements of oxCyt aa 3 were unstable and results unreliable. reNIRS reliably detected cerebral ischemia, verified by a reduction of rCBF to 11% of baseline. tHb dropped to 74±7% of baseline ( P<0.001), reflecting ischemic microvascular vasoconstriction. oxHb and SO 2 dropped to expected near-zero values (2±4 and 3±5% of baseline, respectively; P<0.001). We conclude that reNIRS provides reliable and reproducible absolute values for brain tissue tHb, oxHb, and SO 2 in small rodents. Determination of physiological values requires measurements at multiple locations, while cerebral ischemia is reliably detected by continuous recordings at a single location.

Cloning of cDNAs Encoding G Protein-Coupled Receptor Expressed in Human Endothelial Cells Exposed to Fluid Shear Stress

A cDNA library of human umbilical vein endothelial cells exposed to fluid shear stress was constructed to search for functional endothelial genes expressed under flow conditions, and cDNAs encoding members of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family were cloned by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method using degenerate oligonucleotide primers. One of the two GPCR clones obtained was edg-1, and the other clone is a novel gene named FEG-1 that encodes a 375-amino acid protein similar to the receptors for both angiotensin II and chemokines. Reverse transcriptase-PCR showed that the FEG-1 and edg-1 mRNA levels in endothelial cells increased markedly in response to fluid flow. This suggests that FEG-1 and edg-1 may be receptor genes that play important roles in the regulation of endothelial function under physiological blood flow conditions.

Aortic Distensibility and Structural Changes in Sinoaortic-Denervated Rats

The purpose of the present study was to determine the effects of chronic sinoaortic denervation on the mechanical properties and composition of the abdominal aorta in Wistar rats. We used a high-resolution echotracking system to determine in situ under physiological conditions of blood flow and arterial wall innervation the aortic diameter-, compliance-, and distensibility-pressure curves in 16-week-old anesthetized rats that had been denervated at 10 weeks of age for 6 weeks (n = 8). Compared with sham-operated rats (n = 8) we observed a marked reduction of baroreflex response and increase in overall mean blood pressure variability as measured by standard deviation and spectral analysis in sinoaortic-denervated rats. Mean blood pressure was not affected by sinoaortic denervation in both conscious and anesthetized rats. Sinoaortic denervation significantly shifted the distensibility-pressure curve toward lower levels of distensibility, indicating a decreased aortic distensibility for a given level of arterial pressure. Sinoaortic denervation produced a significant increase of aortic wall cross-sectional area and collagen content, one of the less-distensible components of the arterial wall. These results suggest that intact arterial baroreceptors are necessary for maintaining normal functional and structural properties of large arteries in rats. The reduction in arterial distensibility in chronic sinoaortic-denervated rats may have resulted from different factors, including the initial hypertensive phase, aortic wall hypertrophy, and increase in collagen content. The changes in aortic wall structure and related reduction in aortic distensibility, in addition to other mechanisms, might have been direct consequences of an increased blood pressure variability.

Subsecond Calcium Dynamics in ADP- and Thrombin-Stimulated Platelets: A Continuous-Flow Approach Using Indo-1

The regulation and kinetics (less than 5 seconds) of cytosolic calcium changes ([Ca2+]i) in stimulated blood platelets have been investigated under physiological blood flow conditions. Using a newly-developed continuous-flow approach with indo-1-loaded human platelets, adenosine diphosphate (ADP, 10 mumol/L) and thrombin (5 U/mL) were equally effective in significantly increasing [Ca2+]i by 0.5 seconds. ADP induced a transient [Ca2+]i peak of 1 to 2 mumol/L near 2 seconds, whereas thrombin caused a sustained and larger response. The first phase (less than 2 seconds) was not influenced by a lack of extracellular Ca2+, in contrast to the subsequent [Ca2+]i increase that only reached about 0.7 mumol/L for either ADP or thrombin. The shear rates used in our continuous-flow apparatus were physiological (less than 1,258 sec-1) and only slightly increased the basal [Ca2+]i of 0.1 mumol/L. Platelet aggregation (less than 5 seconds), assessed by single-particle counting, was not altered in platelets loaded with indo-1/AM (2.5 mumol/L).

Subsecond calcium dynamics in ADP- and thrombin-stimulated platelets: a continuous-flow approach using indo-1

The regulation and kinetics (less than 5 seconds) of cytosolic calcium changes ([Ca2+]i) in stimulated blood platelets have been investigated under physiological blood flow conditions. Using a newly-developed continuous-flow approach with indo-1-loaded human platelets, adenosine diphosphate (ADP, 10 mumol/L) and thrombin (5 U/mL) were equally effective in significantly increasing [Ca2+]i by 0.5 seconds. ADP induced a transient [Ca2+]i peak of 1 to 2 mumol/L near 2 seconds, whereas thrombin caused a sustained and larger response. The first phase (less than 2 seconds) was not influenced by a lack of extracellular Ca2+, in contrast to the subsequent [Ca2+]i increase that only reached about 0.7 mumol/L for either ADP or thrombin. The shear rates used in our continuous-flow apparatus were physiological (less than 1,258 sec-1) and only slightly increased the basal [Ca2+]i of 0.1 mumol/L. Platelet aggregation (less than 5 seconds), assessed by single- particle counting, was not altered in platelets loaded with indo-1/AM (2.5 mumol/L).

Functional and Morphological Studies of Platelet Reactivity with Vessel Wall Subendothelium in Chronic Myeloproliferative Disease

Mechanisms of thrombus formation in myeloproliferative disease were studied using a technique which visualized platelet-vessel wall interactions under physiological conditions of blood flow. Whole blood from four patients with chronic myelogenous leukaemia and three with thrombocythaemia were pumped through perfusion chambers containing de-endothelialized artery segments. Platelet reactivity with vessel walls (thrombus formation) was measured in sections of vessels by light microscopy and quantitative morphometric analysis. Five patients produced platelet reactivity values of 130--258% of controls while two gave decreased values. The two highest platelet reactivity values occurred in samples with elevated platelet counts and normal haematocrits. In contrast, when anti-platelet drugs were administered to three patients with high platelet counts, reactivity values decreased to 11--34% of controls. Clinical correlations revealed that patients with highest platelet reactivity values (165--258%) were those subjects who also exhibited thrombotic or haemorrhagic complications. Thus absolute platelet count and haematocrit may be major determinants in predicting these complications. Qualitative evaluations of thrombus formations by light and electron microscopy provide further evidence that platelets in myeloproliferative disease also possess qualitative abnormalities.