Interactions between cultured bovine arterial endothelial and smooth muscle cells; studies on the release of prostacyclin by endothelial cells.

The release of prostacyclin by endothelial cells (EC) in culture was studied after exposure to two toxic stimuli (UV light or dimethylsulfoxide-soluble smoke particles (DSP)) or to medium conditioned by smooth muscle cells (SMC), basically or after injury to the SMC. An activity stimulating the release of prostacyclin was found together with growth inhibiting activity from arterial SMC, but dissociated from growth stimulating activity. The prostacyclin stimulating activity was increased when SMC were exposed to UV light, while DSP caused a decrease. EC directly exposed to UV light or DSP generally released more prostacyclin than controls. One exception was very low concentrations of DSP. UV light induced a burst of release in contrast to DSP where a continuous release after a two hours lag period was seen. It is concluded that EC will increase the release of prostacyclin in response to injury but the release pattern will depend on the kind and doses of the stimulus. SMC release prostacyclin stimulating activity for EC, which can be modified by exposure to toxic stimuli. The results might have applications for atherogenesis.