Figure 5.
Effect of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) on endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) adhesion to human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) in a static and flow-mediated adhesion model. EPC were pre-incubated with HDL before adhesion to stimulated HCAEC was determined. (A) Optical density readings of the lysed cells indicated that HDL pre-incubation increased EPC adhesion in a static adhesion model. For control, EPC adhesion to unstimulated HCAEC was determined. (B) EPC adhesion was determined at 1.0 dyn/cm2 laminar wall shear stress after 2 min. HDL pre-incubated EPC showed increased rolling, tethering, and firm adhesion to HCAEC compared to control. (C) EPC were exposed to anti-CD18 antibody or isotype control. Blockade of CD18 was associated with an inhibition of HDL-enhanced EPC adhesion. n= 3–5; **P < 0.01; ***P < 0.001.