In vitro model of platelet-endothelial activation due to cigarette smoke under cardiovascular circulation conditions

Ann Biomed Eng. 2008 Jul;36(7):1142-51. doi: 10.1007/s10439-008-9503-2. Epub 2008 May 2.

Abstract

Cigarette smoke has been shown to increase platelet activation and endothelial cell (EC) adhesion molecule expression. In the present study, we utilized a hemodynamic shearing device (HSD) to investigate the above effects in vitro in a combined system of platelets and cultured HUVECs (Human Umblical Vein ECs) under physiological shear stress. We investigated the alteration of E-selectin expression on ECs upon exposure to: (1) platelets and nicotine-free smoke extract (NFE), (2) platelets alone, (3) NFE alone, under physiological shear stress. We additionally confirmed the protective effect of nicotine on platelet activation. We found that: (i) surface expression of E-selectin on ECs was significantly increased upon simultaneous exposure of ECs and platelets to NFE relative to exposure of ECs to either platelets or NFE alone (p < 0.05). (ii) Platelet activation was significantly increased in the presence of NFE (p < 0.05). (iii) Nicotine (200 nM) when added to NFE, significantly reduced platelet activation due to NFE (p < 0.05), an effect additionally confirmed by conventional cigarette extracts which contain nicotine (p < 0.05). We therefore conclude that: (a) NFE and platelets additively increase EC E-selectin surface expression, and (b) nicotine modulates platelet activation regardless of ECs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blood Flow Velocity / physiology
  • Blood Pressure / physiology
  • Cadherins / metabolism*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects*
  • Endothelial Cells / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Mechanotransduction, Cellular / drug effects
  • Mechanotransduction, Cellular / physiology
  • Nicotine / pharmacology*
  • Platelet Activation / drug effects
  • Platelet Activation / physiology*
  • Smoke*
  • Tars / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Cadherins
  • Smoke
  • Tars
  • tobacco tar
  • Nicotine