Effect of shear stress on albumin uptake into cultured endothelial cells

The endothelial cell monolayer exposed to shear stress by a blood flow in vivo is a principal barrier for macromolecules transport across the vascular wall. Abnormal uptake of macromolecules into endothelial cell monolayer causes several vascular diseases. Therefore we studied the effect of shear stress on macromolecules uptake into cultured endothelial cells. After 48hr. exposure to shear stress. endothelial cells on coverslips were incubated at 37°C for 60 minutes in PBS containing Tetrametylrhodamine Isothiocyanate conjugated Albumin (TRITC-Albumin). Thereafter the uptake of albumin and the shape of endothelial cells were observed by a laser scanning confocal microscope. The uptake of albumin into endothelial cells exposed to shear stress increased for lower shear stress range and decreased for high shear stress.