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The effect of nicotine on cultured cells of vascular origin
Abstract:
Monolayers of endothelial, smooth muscle and fibroblastic cells of healthy porcine, bovine or human fetal origin were treated with 10(-4) to 10(-9) M final concentrations of nicotine. The effect was registered as changes in the synthesis and polyimerization of the cytoskeleton. The silver and gold impregnation method produced anisotropy of the synthetic granules and of the final polymers of microtubules and filaments under physiological conditions as revealed by polarization microscopy. Since the orientation of the cells was inhomogeneous in the cultures, the organization of the orientation was expressed as the sum of alternative diagonal and orthogonal measuring of anisotropy by a computerized microraster morphometry system joined to an OPTON cytophotometer. The 8-day-old control and treated cultures were also examined by electronmicroscopy. Nicotine stimulated the synthesis and polyimerization of the cytoskeletal protein. This phenomenon is evident in smooth muscle cells, and partly also in endothelium. Fibroblasts were not influenced by the doses of nicotine tested.
Insights
Nicotine exposure stimulates cytoskeletal protein synthesis and polymerization in smooth muscle and endothelial cells. However, fibroblasts remain unaffected by tested nicotine concentrations, indicating cell-specific responses to nicotine.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
- Toxicology
Background:
- The cytoskeleton is crucial for cell structure and function.
- Nicotine's effects on cellular components, particularly the cytoskeleton, are not fully understood.
- Understanding nicotine's impact on different cell types is important for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of varying nicotine concentrations on the synthesis and polymerization of cytoskeletal proteins in different cell types.
- To analyze nicotine-induced changes in cytoskeletal organization using advanced microscopy and morphometry.
Main Methods:
- Cell cultures (endothelial, smooth muscle, fibroblasts) from porcine, bovine, and human fetal sources were treated with nicotine (10(-4) to 10(-9) M).
- Cytoskeletal changes were assessed using silver and gold impregnation, polarization microscopy, and computerized microraster morphometry.
- Electron microscopy was employed for ultrastructural examination of control and treated cells.
Main Results:
- Nicotine significantly stimulated the synthesis and polymerization of cytoskeletal proteins.
- These effects were most pronounced in smooth muscle cells and also observed in endothelial cells.
- Fibroblasts did not show significant alterations in cytoskeletal protein synthesis or polymerization at the tested nicotine concentrations.
Conclusions:
- Nicotine differentially affects cytoskeletal dynamics in various cell types.
- Smooth muscle and endothelial cells exhibit a positive response to nicotine regarding cytoskeletal protein synthesis and polymerization.
- Fibroblasts appear resistant to the cytoskeletal effects of nicotine within the studied concentration range.