Key Points
- To evaluate the individual and combined effects of steady fluid shear stress and flow-induced pressure on endothelin-1 and endothelin-converting enzyme-1 gene expression in endothelial cells.
- Cultured E.A. hy 926 endothelial cells were subjected to steady fluid shear stress with or without flow-induced pressure (80–160 mm Hg).
- Total RNA was evaluated using Northern blot analysis and RNase protection assays to compare expression levels against static culture controls.
- Steady shear stress induced a three- to fourfold increase in endothelin-1 mRNA expression compared to static culture.
- Shear stress had little to no effect on altering the expression of endothelin-converting enzyme-1 isoforms.
- Flow-induced pressure across 80–160 mm Hg did not further augment endothelin-1 or endothelin-converting enzyme-1 gene expression.
Structured PICO
PPopulationE.A. hy 926 cells in culture
IInterventionSteady fluid shear stress with and without flow-induced pressure (80-160 mm Hg)
OOutcomeExpression of ET-1 and ECE-1 genes (mRNA levels)surrogate
Steady shear stress upregulates ET-1 gene expression independently of ECE-1 in endothelial cells, while flow-induced pressure has no additional effect.