Inhibitory effects of bucillamine on the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Effect of different mitogens and serum concentration on HUVEC morphology and characteristics: implication on use of higher passage cells

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were cultured in two different media, viz. the commonly used M199 containing 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and endothelial cell growth factor and a defined media EGM-2 containing 2% FBS along with growth supplements in known concentrations. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different media on the growth potential and cell morphology in subsequent passages. We have established that a dual coating of gelatin and human fibronectin extracellular matrix provides optimal cell attachment. Growth rate for primary culture was almost double in defined media. For secondary culture a two fold higher proliferation rate was observed in defined EGM-2 media. Histological studies were done using phase contrast, confocal and scanning electron microscopy which showed that cells cultured in M199 started losing their morphological characteristic from 3rd passage and after 6th passage appeared to come in senescent stage, while in case of defined media there was no change observed in the cells up to 10th passage. A significant difference was found in the expression of soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) which is an endothelial cell marker on cells cultured in different media. Additionally it was observed that exposure duration to trypsin-EDTA during cell detachment also plays an important role in maintaining cell morphological characteristics. These results show that significant morphological changes appear in higher order passages if cells are grown in routine medium for a long time and therefore may not be suitable for cell signaling experiments.

The investigation of synovial genomic targets of bucillamine with microarray technique

OBJECTIVE

To identify the molecular mechanisms of bucillamine activity, global gene expression analysis and pathway analysis were conducted using IL-1 beta-stimulated human fibroblast-like synovial cells (FLS).

METHODS

Normal human FLS were treated with IL-1 beta in the presence or absence of 10 and 100 microM bucillamine for 6 h. Total RNA was extracted and global gene expression levels were detected using a 44 k human whole genome array. Data were analyzed using Ingenuity pathway analysis.

RESULTS

Numerous pathways were activated by IL-1 beta stimulation. At both concentrations, bucillamine suppressed nine signal pathways stimulated by IL-1 beta.

CONCLUSIONS

Bucillamine effectively inhibited fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling and tight junction signaling activated by IL-1 beta in FLS. Suppression of these signal pathways may correlate with the pharmacologic mechanisms of bucillamine. In particular, the suppression of FGF signaling by bucillamine is remarkable because the activation of FGF signaling may be involved in rheumatoid arthritis pathology.