Effect of different cultured conditions on endothelial cell and its resistance to the fluid imposed shear stress - A comparative study

This study was intended to enhance the resistance of cultured endothelial cells (EC) to fluid shear stress and clarify the possible mechanism. A modified parallel plate flow apparatus was used to compare the strength between the grafts and the endothelial cells under shear stress condition and static condition. The dynamic change of cytoskeletal actin filaments and the effects of different adhesive proteins coated on the strength of EC adhesion to the glass were studied. The results showed that the number of cells retention of the shear stress-conditioned group was significantly larger than that of the static group. Precoated fibronectin and laminin significantly promoted the adherence of the EC cultured in a steady environment but seemed to have no effect on the EC cultured under flow condition. The results suggest that the vascular endothelial Cell cytoskeleton, stress fiber and the shape of EC reorganize in response to long term fluid-imposed shear stress, and the endothelial cells become tightly adhe rent to the grafts.