Effects of hypoxic gas mixtures on viability, expression of adhesion molecules, migration, and synthesis of interleukins by cultured human endothelial cells

Abstract

The effects of short-term (3 h) and long-term (18 h) repeated hypoxic exposure (5% O(2)) on viability of endothelial cells, expression of adhesion molecules, and secretion of IL-6 and vascular endothelial growth factor were studied. The resultant number of apoptotic and necrotic cells indicates that cultured endothelium well tolerates repeated changes in partial oxygen pressure in the medium, despite the stress reaction manifesting in enhanced secretion of IL-6. Changes in number of cells carrying ICAM-1 on their surface and activation of the synthesis of vascular endothelial growth factor during long-term exposure attest to activation of angiogenesis and inhibition of apoptosis.