Endothelial cell-derived pro-fibrotic factors increase TGF-β1 expression by smooth muscle cells in response to cycles of hypoxia-hyperoxia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The vascular pathology of peripheral artery disease (PAD) encompasses abnormal microvascular architecture and fibrosis in response to ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) cycles. We aimed to investigate the mechanisms by which pathological changes in the microvasculature direct fibrosis in the context of I/R.

Methods

Primary human aortic endothelial cells (ECs) were cultured under cycles of normoxia-hypoxia (NH) or normoxia-hypoxia-hyperoxia (NHH) to mimic I/R. Primary human aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were cultured and treated with media from the ECs.

Findings

The mRNA and protein expression of the pro-fibrotic factors platelet derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) were significantly upregulated in ECs undergoing NH or NHH

SUBMITTER: Ismaeel A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8629962 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature