Release of soluble E-selectin from activated endothelial cells upon apoptosis

Elizabeth O. Harrington, Tihomir Stefanec, Julie Newton, Sharon Rounds

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

Circulating soluble E-selectin is increased in diseases associated with endothelial apoptosis such as sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome. We investigated the mechanism by which endothelial cell (EC) apoptosis may promote soluble E-selectin release. We found that serum deprivation of EC caused apoptosis, yet it did not induce E-selectin EC surface expression. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) significantly increased EC E-selectin surface expression. Soluble E-selectin was noted, however, only in the medium of TNFα-activated, apoptotic EC. Preincubation of the EC with the caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk significantly attenuated soluble E-selectin levels in the culture medium of TNFα-activated, apoptotic EC, but it had no effect on E-selectin surface expression. These results indicate that TNFα activation, but not apoptosis, is necessary for E-selectin surface expression in EC. Furthermore, E-selectin release from EC requires caspase-3 activation. Thus, increased concentrations of circulating E-selectin in serum may serve as a marker for endothelial apoptosis in certain disease states.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)259-266
Number of pages8
JournalLung
Volume184
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2006
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Apoptosis
  • Caspase
  • E-selectin
  • Endothelium

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Release of soluble E-selectin from activated endothelial cells upon apoptosis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this