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Endothelial contraction of retinal veins
Dao-Yi Yu1, Er-Ning Su1, Andrew Mehnert1
1Lions Eye Institute, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Experimental Eye Research
|January 19, 2023
Summary
Porcine retinal vein endothelial cells contract in response to endothelin-1, a finding supported by observing changes in cell shape and size. This cellular contraction mechanism may influence retinal blood flow and disease development.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Vascular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Vasoactive factors like endothelin-1 can contract porcine retinal veins.
- The specific cell types responsible for these contractions remain unidentified.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of retinal vein endothelial cells in endothelin-1 induced contractions.
- To confirm the contractile capability of endothelial cells in a live vessel preparation.
Main Methods:
- Porcine retinal veins were isolated and perfused.
- Endothelin-1 was applied extraluminally, and vessel diameter changes were recorded.
- Endothelial cell morphometry, histology, and immuno-labeling for contractile proteins were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Endothelin-1 (10^-8 M) induced a 63.6% contraction of retinal veins.
- Endothelial cells changed from polygonal to spindle-like, with significant reductions in area, width, perimeter, and length.
- Contractile proteins (myosin, calponin, alpha-SMA) were identified in retinal vein endothelial cells.
Conclusions:
- Retinal vein endothelial cells possess contractile proteins and can contract in response to endothelin-1.
- This endothelial cell contractility may play a role in regulating retinal perfusion.
- Endothelial cell contraction could be implicated in the pathogenesis of retinal vascular diseases, such as retinal vein occlusion.
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