Journal of Vascular Research最新文献

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the function of Cx43 in the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) process of endothelial cells (ECs) and to explore the potential signaling pathways underlying these functions.

Methods: ECs were extracted from rat aorta. ECs were transfected with Cx43 cDNA and Cx43 siRNA and then exposed to 5 or 12 dyne/cm2. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of SM22α, Cx43, and acetylated α-tubulin in ECs. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of α-SMA, CD31, Cx43, H1-calponin, Ift88, and p-smad3 in ECs.

Results: The expression of αSMA, SM22α, and Cx43 was significantly increased, and CD31 was markedly decreased in ECs treated with laminar shear stress at 5 dyn/cm2. The Cx43 cDNA transfection could induce the expression of SM22α or H1-calponin and attenuate CD31 expression in ECs. Also, Cx43 overexpression harms cilia formation in ECs exposed to 5 dyn/cm2, accompanied with the regulated Ift88 and smad signaling.

Conclusions: This study found that laminar shear stress at 5 dyn/cm2 would increase the expression of Cx43 to facilitate the EndMT process of ECs, associated with morphological changes in primary cilia and the decreased expression of Ift88 in ECs.

Introduction: Culturing cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells (CVSMCs) in vitro can provide a model for studying many cerebrovascular diseases. This study describes a convenient and efficient method to obtain mouse CVSMCs by enzyme digestion.

Methods: Mouse circle of Willis was isolated, digested, and cultured with platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) to promote CVSMC growth, and CVSMCs were identified by morphology, immunofluorescence analysis, and flow cytometry. The effect of PDGF-BB on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation was evaluated by cell counting kit (CCK)-8 assay, morphological observations, Western blotting, and flow cytometry.

Results: CVSMCs cultured in a PDGF-BB-free culture medium had a typical peak-to-valley growth pattern after approximately 14 days. Immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry detected strong positive expression of the cell type-specific markers alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), smooth muscle myosin heavy chain 11 (SMMHC), smooth muscle protein 22 (SM22), calponin, and desmin. In the CCK-8 assay and Western blotting, cells incubated with PDGF-BB had significantly enhanced proliferation compared to those without PDGF-BB.

Conclusion: We obtained highly purified VSMCs from the mouse circle of Willis using simple methods, providing experimental materials for studying the pathogenesis and treatment of neurovascular diseases in vitro. Moreover, the experimental efficiency improved with PDGF-BB, shortening the cell cultivation period.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to discuss the safety of rapid administration of 4°C hypothermic normal saline into the occluded vessels using an intra-arterial catheter to induce mild hypothermia following endovascular thrombectomy in patients with acute large vessel occlusion cerebral infarction.

Methods: We selected 78 patients with acute large vessel occlusion cerebral infarction who underwent endovascular thrombectomy in the Department of Neurology of our hospital from January 2020 to July 2022 and achieved TICI 2b recanalization.

Result: Twenty-five patients were administered 500 mL of 4°C hypothermic normal saline in the occluded vessels at a rate of 25 mL/min to induce mild hypothermia. Twenty pairs of subjects conformed to strict matching and were finally included in the statistical analysis. The two groups of patients differed significantly in white blood cell count and percentage of neutrophils (p < 0.05); however, there were no significant differences in D-dimer, procalcitonin, and BNP levels. The two groups of patients did not differ significantly with respect to the incidence of the following indicators: upper gastrointestinal bleeding; pulmonary infection; venous thrombosis; vasospasms; seizures; and chills (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: Mild therapeutic hypothermia in target vessels plus endovascular thrombectomy was shown to be safe in patients with acute large vessel occlusion cerebral infarction.