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Cardiovascular Research 2006 72(2):231-240; doi:10.1016/j.cardiores.2006.07.008
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Copyright © 2006, European Society of Cardiology

Shear stress sustains atheroprotective endothelial KLF2 expression more potently than statins through mRNA stabilization

Johannes V. van Thienena, Joost O. Fledderusa, Rob J. Dekkera, Jakub Rohlenaa, Gerben A. van IJzendoorna, Neeltje A. Kootstrab, Hans Pannekoeka and Anton J.G. Horrevoetsa,*

aDepartment of Medical Biochemistry, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 15, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
bDepartment of Clinical Viro-Immunology, Sanquin Research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and Landsteiner Laboratory, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands

* Corresponding author. Room K1-114, Department of Biochemistry, Academic Medical Center, Meibergdreef 15, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Tel.: +31 0 20 5665129; fax: +31 0 20 6915519. Email address: a.j.horrevoets{at}amc.uva.nl

Objective: The transcription factor KLF2 is considered an important mediator of the anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic properties of the endothelium. KLF2 is absent from low-shear, atherosclerosis-prone sites of the vascular tree but is induced by HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) in vitro. We studied KLF2-dependent induction of important determinants of the atheroprotective status of the endothelium to determine whether pharmacological intervention, e.g. by statins, can potentially replace shear stress.

Methods: Shear stress and statin effects in combination with TNF-{alpha} were determined in human umbilical vein endothelial cells by quantitative measurements of the steady-state levels and stability of mRNA for KLF2 and its downstream target genes thrombomodulin (TM) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS).

Results: We demonstrate that prolonged shear stress has a potential that is superior to that of statins to induce the KLF2-dependent expression of eNOS and TM, especially in the presence of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-{alpha} (TNF-{alpha}). These effects can be attributed to the sustained stabilization of KLF2 mRNA by shear, leading to an increased KLF2 protein expression and concomitant strong induction of KLF2 downstream targets. The stabilization of KLF2 mRNA is demonstrated to be dependent on signaling involving phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K).

Conclusion: The stabilization of KLF2 steady-state levels, as induced by prolonged shear stress but not by statins, may be essential for sustaining the quiescent, atheroprotective status of the vascular endothelium under inflammatory conditions.

KEYWORDS Statins; Endothelial function; Gene expression; Hemodynamics; Atherosclerosis

Time for primary review 28 days


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