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Effects of Reactive Oxygen Species in Endothelial Cells Assessed by Observing Levels of JNK Activation
Author(s) -
Latuska Katelyn,
Farwell Sara Lynn,
LoweKrentz Linda
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.837.3
Subject(s) - reactive oxygen species , laminar flow , hydrogen peroxide , microbiology and biotechnology , endothelial stem cell , biophysics , oxygen , chemistry , endothelial dysfunction , flow cytometry , biology , biochemistry , immunology , endocrinology , in vitro , physics , organic chemistry , thermodynamics
Heart disease is the leading cause of death around the world, and it is therefore extremely important to understand the molecular signaling and responses that lead to the development of heart disease. It has been found through multiple studies that unlike disturbed flow, laminar flow induces protective effects on endothelial cells. Conversely, the reactive oxygen species that the endothelial cells are exposed to damages the cells. Specifically, this study is evaluating the effects of reactive oxygen species on endothelial cells while subjected to laminar flow. In these studies, bovine aortic endothelial cells were exposed to media containing reactive oxygen species for different time increments using a flow chamber to provide laminar flow. The levels of active JNK, a stress activated kinase, were measured using immunofluorescence microscopy. It was found that the levels of p‐JNK, the activated form of JNK, increased significantly when exposed to higher concentrations from zero to 12%. The levels of pJNK also increased over longer time intervals of reactive oxygen species in static media, from 5 minutes to 25 minutes. Cells that had been treated with hydrogen peroxide prior to laminar flow seemed to be too damaged to remain attached to the surface of the slide after the addition of flow. Hydrogen peroxide was then added to the flow media, which will act during the exposure to laminar flow. Published literature shows evidence that after endothelial cells become acclimated to the addition of laminar flow, these cells are then more resistant to damage. Therefore, we predict that similarly, the acclimated endothelial cells will become more resistant to damage and the effects of the hydrogen peroxide. Further testing of these complex systems is important, as a better understanding of the ways in which these factors interact will provide additional information to help in the prevention and treatment of heart disease. Support or Funding Information This research was supported by a Langer‐Simon undergraduate research award to KL. The LLK laboratory is supported by HL 536104.