Secretion of prostacyclin, tissue plasminogen activator and its inhibitor by cultured adult human endothelial cells grown on different matrices

Objectives:The aim of this study was to investigate the secretion of prostacyclin (PGI2), tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI- 1) produced by human great saphenous vein endothelial cells (HSVECs) in vitro when seeded to confluency on different matrices.Methods:The matrices compared were: uncoated plastic, gelatin, collagen type-I gel, fibronectin, fibrin glue, deendothelialised porcine aorta and ePTFE vascular grafts pre-coated with collagen type-I or human serum.Results:There were no significant differences between basal production of PGI2 on the different matrices. The HSVECs responded with a significant increase in PGI2 secretion after stimulation with thrombin on all matrices, including the ePTFE grafts. A statistically significant higher secretion of tPA secretion was found in supernatants from cells cultured on collagen type-I gel. Interestingly, tPA secretion was lower by cells seeded on both collagen type-I and serum precoated ePTFE as compared to collagen type-1 gel. PAI-1 secretion however was significantly higher on collagen type-1 gel, gelatin, fibrin glue and porcine aorta but not on pre-coated ePTFE grafts.Conclusions:The findings emphasise the important effect of the matrix on endothelial secretion of PGI2, tPA and PAI-1. Differences in patency after implantation of in vitro endothelialised grafts, may be due to cellular function depending on the types of graft and matrix chosen