Integrin-substrate interactions underlying shear-induced inhibition of the inflammatory response of endothelial cells

Conditioning of endothelial cells by shear stress suppresses their response to inflammatory cytokines. We questioned whether signalling through different integrin-matrix interactions, previously associated with the pathogenic effects of disturbed flow, supported the anti-inflammatory action of steady shear. Primary human endothelial cells were cultured on different substrates and exposed to shear stress (2.0Pa) for varying periods before stimulation with tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF). Shear-conditioning inhibited cytokine-induced recruitment of flowing neutrophils. However, the effect was similar for culture on collagen, laminin or fibronectin, even when seeding was reduced to 2 hours, and shear to 3 hours before TNF treatment (to minimise deposition of endothelial matrix). Nevertheless, in short- or longer-term cultures, reduction in expression of β1-integrin (but not β3-integrin) using siRNA essentially ablated the effect of shear-conditioning on neutrophil recruitment. Studies of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) phosphorylation, siRNA against FAK and a FAK-inhibitor (PF573228) indicated that FAK activity was an essential component downstream of β1-integrin. In addition, MAP-kinase p38 was phosphorylated downstream of FAK and also required for functional modification. Mechanotransduction through β1-integrins, FAK and p38 is required for anti-inflammatory effects of steady shear stress. Separation of the pathways which underlie pathological versus protective responses of different patterns of flow is required to enable therapeutic modification or mimicry, respectively.