DNA microarray analysis of gene expression in endothelial cells in response to 24-h shear stress

The recently developed DNA microarray technology provides a powerful and ef ficient tool to rapidly compare the differential expression of a large numb er of genes. Using the DNA microarray approach, we investigated gene expres sion profiles in cultured human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) in respons e to 24 h of laminar shear stress at 12 dyn/cm(2). This relatively long-ter m shearing of cultured HAECs led to the modulation of the expression of a n umber of genes. Several genes related to inflammation and EC proliferation were downregulated, suggesting that 24-h shearing may keep ECs in a relativ ely noninflammatory and nonproliferative state compared with static cells. Some genes were significantly upregulated by the 24-h shear stress; these i ncludes genes involved in EC survival and angiogenesis (Tie2 and Flk-1) and vascular remodeling (matrix metalloproteinase 1). These results provide in formation on the profile of gene expression in shear-adapted ECs, which is the case for the native ECs in the straight part of the aorta in vivo.