Polarity of arachidonic acid metabolism by bovine aortic endothelial cell monolayers

Monolayers of bovine aortic endothelial cells cultured on micropore filters were used to determine the polarity of endothelial uptake, release, and transfer of arachidonic acid and some of its metabolites. Uptake and spontaneous release of arachidonic acid were more rapid at the luminal than at the interstitial surface. Transfer of arachidonic acid was more rapid from the luminal to the interstitial compartment than from the interstitial to the luminal compartment. After stimulation with the ionophore A23187, monolayers released arachidonate metabolites, including prostacyclin, to both the luminal and the interstitial compartments. The ability of the endothelium to rapidly take up and release arachidonic acid from the luminal surface and the ability to release biologically active eicosanoids to both the lumen and interstitium could be important for endothelial modulation of vascular events.