Culture of human cerebral capillary endothelial cell by separation of capillary fragment and the observation of vascular endothelial growth factor gene expression and cell ultrastructure

Mingguang ZHAO; Tao TANG; Yongzhong GAO; Peiyu PU; Xuezhong WEI

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

The observation of vascular endothelial growth factor gene expression of cerebrovascular diseases and ultrastructure of cells may be helpful to understand angiogenesis and its relative cellular factors involved in the pathogenesis at cellular and molecular levels.

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the method of culture of human cerebral cap illary endothelial cell by separation of capillary fragment in vitro, and to ob serve vascular endothelial growth factor gene expression and ultrastructure of cells.

DESIGN:

A randomized controlled research on technique and method.

SETTING:

The neurosurgery department of a general hospital of a military area command of Chinese PLA and the neurosurgery department of a college hospital.

PARTICIPANTS:

Eighteen patients with arteriovenous malformation of brain(Spetzler Ⅱ-Ⅲ grade), as confirmed by aortocranial angiography before operation, in the Department of Neurosurgery, General Hospital of Shenyang Military Area Command of Chinese PLA were included. The material was obtained from fresh integrated specimen of arteriovenous malfor mation of brain with surrounding fresh brain tissues during the opera tion. Capillary endothelial cell was separated by homogenate, filtration and enzymatic digestion techniques. Cells grew well in culture flask and were divided into 4 groups(hypoxia state for 2, 4, 8 hours groups and control group). Each group contained four flasks.

METHODS:

Simulation of anoxia condition volume faction 0.95 N2 and volume fraction 0.05 CO2. Expression of factor Ⅷ related antigen in cells was detected by immunohistochemistry. mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor on endothelial in every group was observed by RT-PCR, protein content of vascular endothelial growth factor in supernatant detected by enzyme-linked immunoadsordent assay, and cellular ultrastructural change observed by transmission electron microscopy.MAIN OUTCOME

MEASURES:

mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor on endothelial cell and protein content of vascular endothelial growth factor in supernatant in control group and every hypoxia groups; cellular ultrastructural changes.

RESULTS:

Under phase contrast microscope, cultured living cells had mono-layer pebble-like typical character. More than 90% of were factor Ⅷrelated antigen(FⅧ-RA) staining positive. mRNA and protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in hypoxia 4 hours group was 0.98 ±0. 19,( 180. 77 ± 20. 15) ng/L, which was significantly higher than in control group [0, (26. 20 ± 6.33) ng/L, P ＜ 0.01 ]. Eight hours later, expression decreased [(0. 35 ±0.07), (31.68 ±8.34) ng/L]; swollen mitochondrion, dilated endoplasmic reticulum, and lysosome vesiculation were found.

CONCLUSION:

Humane cerebral capillary endothelial cell can be cultured by separation of capillary fragment, which is easy to operate and the cellular purity is reliable. In the early stage of ischemia and hypoxia, expression of vascular endothelial growth factor is not enough to maintain cellular ultrastructure integrity. Cells may be injured along with the prolong of hypoxia.Zhao MG, Tang T, Gao YZ, Pu PY, Wei XZ. Culture of human cerebral capillary endothelial by separation of capillary fragment and the observation of vascular endothelial growth factor gene expression and cell ultrastructure. Zhongguo Linchuang Kangfu 2005; 9(21)211-3 (China) [www. zglckf. com]