Cardiovascular Research Advance Access first published online on July 20, 2009
This version [Corrected Proof] published online on August 7, 2009
Cardiovascular Research, doi:10.1093/cvr/cvp249
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C-reactive protein impairs the endothelial glycocalyx resulting in endothelial dysfunction
1 Laboratory for Atherosclerosis and Metabolic Research, Department of Medical Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UC Davis Medical Center, 4635, 2nd Avenue, Room # 3000, Research Building 1, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
2 Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Mather, CA, USA
* Corresponding author. Tel: +1 916 734 6592; fax: +1 916 734 6593. E-mail address: ishwarlal.jialal{at}ucdmc.ucdavis.edu
Aims: Inflammation is pivotal in atherosclerosis and a key early step is endothelial dysfunction. C-reactive protein, the prototypic marker of inflammation, and cardiovascular risk marker have been shown to promote atherogenesis. Increased levels of C-reactive protein are associated with endothelial dysfunction. The glycocalyx decorates the luminal surface and affords critical protection of the endothelium. Thus, the aim of the study was to examine the effect of C-reactive protein on the endothelial glycocalyx.
Methods and results: Human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) were incubated with C-reactive protein at different concentrations (0, 12.5, 25, and 50 µg/mL) with boiled C-reactive protein as a control. For in vivo experiments, human C-reactive protein was injected into rats and human serum albumin was used as a control. Endothelial glycocalyx thickness was examined by transmission electron microscopy. Hyaluronan (HA) was examined in the supernatant of HAECs and in plasma and surface expression of heparan sulfate (HS) was quantified. C-reactive protein dose-dependently increased HA release in vitro and in vivo (P < 0.01). Also, glycocalyx thickness was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Western blotting for HS showed significant reduction in expression of HS, one of the main glycosaminoglycans in the glycocalyx, with C-reactive protein treatment. There was a significant positive correlation between HA release and monocyte–endothelial cell adhesion, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 release and a negative correlation with endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity.
Conclusion: Collectively, these data suggest that C-reactive protein impairs glycocalyx function, resulting in endothelial dysfunction.
KEYWORDS Endothelium; Dysfunction; C-reactive protein; eNOS; Inflammation; Glycocalyx; Hyaluronan
Time for primary review: 37 days