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Actin pools and actin microfilament organization in cultured human endothelial cells after exposure to thrombin
Author(s) -
Galdal Kjell Sverre,
Evensen Stein A.,
Høglund AnnaStina,
Nilsen Erling
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.1984.tb06108.x
Subject(s) - microfilament , thrombin , actin , umbilical vein , microbiology and biotechnology , actina , cytoskeleton , biology , chemistry , cell , in vitro , biochemistry , immunology , platelet
Summary Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in primary confluent cultures lost their normal polygonal shape and assumed a ‘contracted’ appearance as judged by phase contrast microscopy when exposed to highly purified bovine thrombin (2 N.I.H. u/ml). Total actin in thrombin‐exposed cells did not differ from that of control cells, as measured by the deoxyribonuclease I inhibition assay. However, the monomeric actin pool (unpolymerized actin) in thrombin‐treated HUVEC was c. 15% smaller (P<0.01) than in control HUVEC (in which it represented approximately 50% of total actin). Transmission electron microscopy showed that thrombin‐stimulated HUVEC contained more and thicker bundles of filamentous actin than control cells. Polymerization of actin and reorganization of actin microfilaments may contribute to the shape changes of HUVEC induced by thrombin.