Glycated type 1 collagen induces endothelial dysfunction in culture

Hyperglycemia-induced protein glycation is thought to be implicated in the diabetic vasculopathy. In this study, we cultured vascular endothelial cells on native or glycated collagen matrix and compared their growth and functional characteristics. At lower plating density, the cells grew equally well on both substrata; however, at higher planting density, the cells plated on glycated collagen grew slower and reached a lower confluent density compared to that of the native collagen-based cultures. Confluent cell layers formed on glycated collagen exhibited a lower diffusion barrier function and a less response to epidermal growth factor stimulated prostacyclin production, compared to their native collagen-cultured counterparts.