Stimulation of smooth muscle cell glycosaminoglycan synthesis by cultured endothelial cells is dependent on endothelial cell density

• Published in: Atherosclerosis Vol. 63; no. 2; pp. 145 - 152
• Main Authors: Scott, Lesley J, Merrilees, M.J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01.02.1987; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; Aorta - metabolism; Atherosclerosis (general aspects, experimental research); Biological and medical sciences; Blood and lymphatic vessels; Cardiology. Vascular system; Cell Count; Cell density; Cells, Cultured; Culture; Endothelial cells; Endothelium - cytology; Endothelium - physiology; Glycosaminoglycan synthesis; Glycosaminoglycans - biosynthesis; Glycosaminoglycans - metabolism; Hyaluronic Acid - metabolism; In Vitro Techniques; Medical sciences; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular - metabolism; Smooth muscle cells; Swine; Glycosaminoglycan synthesis; Smooth muscle cells; Culture; Endothelial cells; Cell density; Cell culture; Atherosclerosis; Cardiovascular disease; Glycosaminoglycan; Smooth muscle; Biosynthesis; Artery; Endothelium
• ISSN: 0021-9150; 1879-1484
• DOI: 10.1016/0021-9150(87)90114-6

Smooth muscle cells (SMC) cultured in the presence of endothelial cells (EC), or in EC-conditioned medium, show increased synthesis of glycosaminoglycans (GAG). We have found that both the amount and type of GAG produced by the SMC are dependent on the density of the EC. EC (porcine) at a low density (0.1-0.5 × 106 cells/25 cm 2), or their conditioned media, where the most active per cell in stimulating GAG. All GAG were stimulated but the increase was due mostly to hyaluronic acid (HA). At intermediate densities (1.0 × 106/25 cm 2) stimulation was markedly reduced, but still present, and both HA and sulphated GAG were similarly increased. At high densities (1.5-3 × 106/25 cm 2) where EC were confluent there was very little stimulation of HA but continued stimulation of sulphated GAG synthesis. The shift in stimulation from HA to sulphated GAG with increasing density was most clearly demonstrated by the decrease in the HA to the chondroitin sulphate ratio. These findings provide support for the general concept that SMC metabolism may be affected by changes in the state of the endothelium.