Expression of endothelial cell IgG Fc receptors and markers on various cultures

Objective To determine and compare the expression of endothelial cell IgG Fc receptors (FcγR) and markers on various kinds of cultures.Methods Human breast microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC), human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC), human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and canine aortic endothelial cells (CAEC) were stimulated with cytokines tumor necrosis factor α (TNF α) and interferon γ (IFN γ). The binding of anti Fcγ receptor (FcγR) type Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ antibodies was measured using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The constitutive expression of endothelial cell markers was examined using anti von Willebrand factor antibodies, DiI low density lipoprotein (Dil Ac LDL) and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) labeled ulex europaeus agglutinin 1. Results The binding of anti FcγRⅡ was significantly increased by the simultaneous stimulation with TNF α and IFN γ on all three types of human endothelial cells (ECs), but not on canine endothelial cells. Enhanced FcγRⅡ expression was most significant when human ECs were cultured in endothelial cell basal medium (ECBM). However, the expression of FcγRⅡ on CAECs could not be induced by human cytokines even after they were cultured in ECBM for 3 passages. Endothelial cells also showed diversity for the constitutive expression of classic markers. Conclusions This study demonstrates that cytokines TNF α and IFN γ enhance low affinity FcγR expression on human endothelial cells in vitro. The results indicate that heterogeneity of endothelial cells exists not only on constitutive expression but also on stimulative expression.