• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.193-203
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• 2000

Objectives : Hindered barrier function of vascular endothelium has been implicated in the initiation and progression of degenerative vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. In this study, the effect of Sunghyangchungisan(SHCS) as a protectant against oxidant-induced destruction of endothelial barrier function was assessed. Methods : Toward this end, endothelial cells derived from the human umbilical vein were cultured as monolayers on permeable membrane filters. Endothelial permeability was monitored by measuring transendothelial electrical resistance and movement of low density lipoprotein (LDL) across the endothelial monolayer. Results : Along with increased movement of LDL, $H_2O_2$-induced increase in endothelial permeability was paralleled by a decrease in transendotheliaI electrical resistance. The effect of $H_2O_2$ was mimicked by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a potent activator of proteinkinase C. Calphostin-C, a protein kinase C inhibitor, effectively blocked the increase in endothelial permeability induced by $H_2O_2$ or PMA, indicating that activation of protein kinase C is associated with the $H_2O_2-induced$ permeability change. SHCS effectively protected the endothelial monolayer against $H_2O_2-induced$ increase in permeability, whereas, it did not affect PMA-induced change. Forskolin, a potent activator of adenylyl cyclase, antagonized $H_2O_2$ to increase endothelial permeability. In addition, in ${H_2O_2}-treated$ cens, intracenular cAMP concentration was significantly decreased, indicating that impaired cAMP production as well as activation of proteinkinase C is a mechanism underlying ${H_2O_2}>-induced$$H_2O_2$ with regard to its effect on intracellular cAMP content. However, SHCS itself did not affect resting cAMP concentration in endothelial cells. Conclusions : These results suggest that SHCS might operate as an effective protectant against oxidant-induced destruction of endothelial barrier function. The mechanism does not appear to involve direct interaction with protein kinase C- or cAMP-associated signaling mechanism.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.103-109
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• 2006

Objective : Activated endothelial cells mediate the cascade of reactions in response to hypoxia for adaptation to the stress. It has been suggested that hypoxia, by itself, without reperfusion, can activate the endothelial cells and initiate complex responses. In this study, we investigated whether hypoxia-induced endothelial products alter the endothelial permeability and have a direct cytotoxic effect on nerve cells. Methods : Hypoxic condition of primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells[HUVEC] was induced by $CoCl_2$ treatment in culture medium. Cell growth was evaluated by 3,4,5-dimethyl thiazole-3,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide [MTT] assay Hypoxia-induced products [$IL-1{\beta},\;TGF-{\beta}1,\;IFN-{\gamma},\;TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-10, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-l and VEGF] were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Endothelial permeability was evaluated by Western blotting. Results : Prolonged hypoxia caused endothelial cells to secrete IL -6, IL -8, MCP-1 and VEGF. However, the levels of IL -1, IL -10, $TNF-{\alpha},\;TGF-{\beta},\;IFN-{\gamma}$ and nitric oxide remained unchanged over 48 h hypoxia. Hypoxic exposure to endothelial cells induced the time-dependent down regulation of the expression of cadherin and catenin protein. The conditioned medium taken from hypoxic HUVECs had the cytotoxic effect selectively on neuroblastoma cells, but not on astroglioma cells. Conclusion : These results suggest the possibility that endothelial cell derived cytokines or other secreted products with the increased endothelial permeability might directly contribute to nerve cell injury followed by hypoxia.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2011

Porphyromonas gingivalis, one of the major periodontal pathogens, is implicated in the initiation and progression of periodontal disease. The initial stages of periodontal inflammation are accompanied by vascular hyperpermeability. In our present study, we report that the P. gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) increases the mRNA expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8), a major inducer of vascular permeability, in vascular endothelial cells. P. gingivalis LPS also stimulated the induction of IL-8 secretion in endothelial cells. The P. gingivalis LPS-induced expression of IL-8 was primarily modulated by nuclear factor-${\kappa}$B(NF-${\kappa}$B). P. gingivalis LPS significantly enhanced the vascular permeability both in vitro and in vivo, and a blockade of the IL-8 receptor decreased the P. gingivalis LPS-induced vascular permeability. Taken together, these results suggest that P. gingivalis LPS increases vascular permeability through the NF-${\kappa}$B-dependent production of IL-8 in vascular endothelial cells.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.206-211
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• 2015

Pulmonary edema is a major cause of mortality due to acute lung injury (ALI). The involvement of protein kinase C-${\delta}$ (PKC-${\delta}$) in ALI has been a controversial topic. Here we investigated PKC-${\delta}$ function in ALI using PKC-${\delta}$ knockout (KO) mice and PKC inhibitors. Our results indicated that although the ability to produce proinflammatory mediators in response to LPS injury in PKC-${\delta}$ KO mice was similar to that of control mice, they showed enhanced recruitment of neutrophils to the lung and more severe pulmonary edema. PKC-${\delta}$ inhibition promoted barrier dysfunction in an endothelial cell layer in vitro, and administration of a PKC-${\delta}$-specific inhibitor significantly increased steady state vascular permeability. A neutrophil transmigration assay indicated that the PKC-${\delta}$ inhibition increased neutrophil transmigration through an endothelial monolayer. This suggests that PKC-${\delta}$ inhibition induces structural changes in endothelial cells, allowing extravasation of proteins and neutrophils.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.474-483
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• 2019

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a pivotal role in pathologic ocular neovascularization and vascular leakage via activation of VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2). This study was undertaken to evaluate the therapeutic mechanisms and effects of the tetrapeptide Arg-Leu-Tyr-Glu (RLYE), a VEGFR2 inhibitor, in the development of vascular permeability and choroidal neovascularization (CNV). In cultured human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs), treatment with RLYE blocked VEGF-A-induced phosphorylation of VEGFR2, Akt, ERK, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), leading to suppression of VEGF-A-mediated hyper-production of NO. Treatment with RLYE also inhibited VEGF-A-stimulated angiogenic processes (migration, proliferation, and tube formation) and the hyperpermeability of HRMECs, in addition to attenuating VEGF-A-induced angiogenesis and vascular permeability in mice. The anti-vascular permeability activity of RLYE was correlated with enhanced stability and positioning of the junction proteins VE-cadherin, ${\beta}$-catenin, claudin-5, and ZO-1, critical components of the cortical actin ring structure and retinal endothelial barrier, at the boundary between HRMECs stimulated with VEGF-A. Furthermore, intravitreally injected RLYE bound to retinal microvascular endothelium and inhibited laser-induced CNV in mice. These findings suggest that RLYE has potential as a therapeutic drug for the treatment of CNV by preventing VEGFR2-mediated vascular leakage and angiogenesis.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.132-139
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• 2006

Vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin), which belongs to the classical cadherin family, is localized at adherens junctions exclusively in vascular endothelial cells. Biochemical and biomechanical cues regulate the VE-cadherin adhesive potential by triggering the intracellular signals. VE-cadherin-mediated cell adhesion is required for cell survival and endothelial cell deadhesion is required for vascular development. It is therefore crucial to understand how VE-cadherin-based cell adhesion is controlled. This review summarizes the inter-endothelial cell adhesions and introduces our recent advance in Rap1-regulated VE-cadherin adhesion. A further analysis of the VE-cadherin recycling system will aid the understanding of cell adhesion/deadhesion mechanisms mediated by VE-cadherin in response to extracellular stimuli during development and angiogenesis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.325-332
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• 2016

Resveratrol, a phytoalexin, is reported to activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in vascular cells. The blood-brain barrier (BBB), formed by specialized brain endothelial cells that are interconnected by tight junctions, strictly regulates paracellular permeability to maintain an optimal extracellular environment for brain homeostasis. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of resveratrol and the role of AMPK in BBB dysfunction induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Exposure of human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) to LPS ($1{\mu}g/ml$) for 4 to 24 hours week dramatically increased the permeability of the BBB in parallel with lowered expression levels of occluding and claudin-5, which are essential to maintain tight junctions in HBMECs. In addition, LPS significantly increased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) productions. All effects induced by LPS in HBVMCs were reversed by adenoviral overexpression of superoxide dismutase, inhibition of NAD(P) H oxidase by apocynin or gain-function of AMPK by adenoviral overexpression of constitutively active mutant (AMPK-CA) or by resveratrol. Finally, upregulation of AMPK by either AMPK-CA or resveratrol abolished the levels of LPS-enhanced NAD(P)H oxidase subunits protein expressions. We conclude that AMPK activation by resveratrol improves the integrity of the BBB disrupted by LPS through suppressing the induction of NAD(P)H oxidase-derived ROS in HBMECs.

• Tribology and Lubricants
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.272-277
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• 1999

The objective of this investigation is to examine the influence of the micro catheters, which mimic the intravascular micro active endoscopes, on local pressure changes and flow rate in an arterial branch model similar to the femoral artery of human. The effects of branch to main lumen flow rate ratios and the locations of a catheter tip were found to be significant on the local pressure changes. Relatively large pressure drops and an increase in shear stress due to the obstruction effects may induce an endothelial cell damage and a change in arterial wall permeability, which have been reported to be the primary cause of the initiation of the atherosclerosis and other major vascular diseases.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.47-58
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• 1996

Histopathological vascular changes in hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) caused by Hantaan virus include increased vascular permeability, disseminated intravascular coagulation, thrombocytopenia and changes in coagulation activity. Although vascular endothelial cells of main target organs such as kidney infected with Hantaan virus are not damaged but swelling of endothelial cells, perivascular exudates and infiltration of mononuclear cells and fresh interstitial hemorrhages are common. However, the pathogenesis of cell infiltration and hemorrhages around vascular endothelial cells are not well understood. Some endothelial cell molecules or vascular adhesins that acts as adhesion moleulces for leukocyte are expressed on endothelial cells close to site of inflammation. However, whether the expression of endothelial adhesion molecules such as vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) and endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule (ELAM) on vascular endothelial cells are increased by infection with Hantaan virus has not been studied. In this study, the relationship between the expression of VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and ELAM and adhesion of mononuclear cells on endothelial cells of human blood vessels infected with Hantaan virus was investigated. The endothelial cells of umbilical vein was passaged three times in culture medium and the monolayered cells were infected with $10^5\;pfu/ml$ of Hantaan virus grown in Vera E6 cell cultures. The multiplication of virus in cultured endothelial cells was monitored by immunohistochemistry and the expression of adhesion molecules was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibodies against VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and ELAM. And in situ hybriditation against ICAM-1 was also performed. The endothelial adhesion molecules, VCAM and ICAM, were expressed after 6 hours postinfection, respectively, and their expressions lasted for 72 hours. Similar expression of VCAM and ICAM appeared on endothelial cells by infection with virus, but the expression of ELAM was not recognized up to 72 hours postinfection. Microscopically, it was noted that many monocuclear cells adhered on endothelial cells infected with viruses. In an electronmicroscopic study, the transendothelial migration of mononuclear cells was observed on monolayered endothelial cells infected with virus. This results suggested that the endothelial adhesion molecules, particulary VCAM and ICAM, might be expressed on endothelial cells by infection with Hantaan virus and these molecules play a key role in the adhesion and extravasation of inflammatory cells around blood vessels.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.66-73
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• 2009

Tumor angiogenesis is a process leading to formation of blood vessels within tumors and is crucial for maintaining a supply of oxygen and nutrients to support tumor growth and metastasis. Vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) plays a key role in tumor angiogenesis including induction of endothelial cell proliferation, migration, survival and capillary tube formation. VEGF binds to two distinct receptors on endothelial cells. VEGFR-2 is considered to be the dominant signaling receptor for endothelial cell permeability, proliferation, and differentiation. Bevacizumab(Avastin, Genetech, USA) is a monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor. It is used in the treatment of cancer, where it inhibits tumor growth by blocking the formation of new blood vessels. The goal of this study is to identify the anti-tumor effect of Bevacizumab(Avastin) for oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines. Human squamous cell carcinoma cell line(HN4) was used in this study. We examined the sensitivity of HN4 cell line to Bevacizumab(Avastin) by using in vitro proliferation assays. The results were as follows. 1. In the result of MTT assay according to concentration of Bevacizumab(Avastin), antiproliferative effect for oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines was observed. 2. The growth curve of cell line showed the gradual growth inhibition of oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines after exposure of Bevacizumab(Avastin). 3. In the apoptotic index, groups inoculated Bevacizumab(Avastin) were higher than control groups. 4. In condition of serum starvation, VEGFR-2 did not show any detectable autophosphorylation, whereas the addition of VEGF activated the receptor. Suppression of phosphorylated VEGFR-2 and phosphorylated MAPK was observed following treatment with Bevacizumab(Avastin) in a dose-dependent manner. 5. In TEM view, dispersed nuclear membrane, scattered many cytoplasmic vacuoles and localized chromosomal margination after Bevacizumab(Avastin) treatment were observed. These findings suggest that Bevacizumab(Avastin) has the potential to inhibit MAPK pathway in proliferation of oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines via inhibition of VEGF-dependent tumor growth.