ALTERATION OF IN-VITRO HUMAN DECIDUAL ENDOTHELIAL-CELL GROWTH, ENDOTHELIN-1 AND PROSTAGLANDIN SECRETION, BY GROWTH-FACTORS AND INTRACELLULAR CALCIUM

Endothelial cells isolated from umbilical veins (HUVEC) and from decid ual biopsies collected at caesarean section delivery (DEC) from both n ormal (N DEC) and pre-eclamptic (PE DEC) women, were maintained in cul ture until passage 2, when the effect on growth of removing heparin/EC GS (endothelial cell growth supplement) from the culture medium was as sessed, and the effects of heparin-free incubation and of the Ca2+ ion ophore A23187 on endothelin-1, prostacyclin and prostaglandin E(2) sec retion over a 24 h period were examined. Cell growth slowed significan tly in all three cell types in the absence of heparin/ECGS, and cell d eath occurred in 1/3 samples of HUVEC, 4/6 of N DEC, but 0/2 of PE DEC over 4 days. During the 24 h incubation for prostaglandin in medium w ithout these growth factors, there was further cell death in N DEC. Th e addition of A23187 to this stress led to a reduction in cell number in both N DEC and HUVEC, and to a lesser extent in PE DEC. Prostagland in and endothelin-l levels were higher in the absence of heparin/ECGS in all cell types There was significant suppression of endothelin-l se cretion at 24 h incubation, and stimulation of prostaglandin secretion by A23187. Incubation without heparin/ECGS magnified the effect of A2 3187 on prostaglandin secretion, although the proportional change was similar if compared to controls without heparin/ECGS. Withdrawal of he parin/ECGS from the medium altered the balance of PGE(2)/PGI(2) secret ion by HUVEC, but not DEC. Endothelial cells require the presence of h eparin/ECGS for optimum growth and viability, and N DEC are particular ly dependent on these growth factors. PE DEC appear relatively 'hardy' in this regard. The addition of a further potentially toxic stimulus may result in cell death, and experiments to be conducted in limited m edium must take this into account. There are both qualitative and quan titative differences in the effects of these stimuli on secretion of v asoactive substances, between decidual and umbilical vein endothelial cells.