Increased monocytic adhesion by senescence in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

We investigated whether replicative senescence of endothelial cells contributed to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). HUVECs at a population-doubling level of 30 (PDL30) divided much more slowly than those at PDL9. The percentage of SA-β-Gal-positive cells and the mRNA expression levels of PAI-1 and p21 at PDL30 were significantly higher than those at PDL9. The changes induced by aging were evaluated according to the mRNA expression level of genes related to the endothelial cell function. The expression level of many adhesion molecules promoting monocytic adhesion was significantly increased, and monocytic adhesion on HUVECs was found to be significantly promoted by aging. Monocytic adhesion is an essential early event in the development of atherosclerosis, and our results suggest that replicative senescence of the vascular endothelial cells induced increased expression of adhesion molecules. The consequent increase in monocytic adhesion may then promote the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.