Introduction and Objective: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a common complication associated with diabetes. Hyperglycemia can lead to vascular changes resulting in endothelial dysfunction. While many studies have shown the molecular mechanisms by which hyperglycemia affects the vasculature, few studies have looked at how hyperglycemia affects the structure and mechanical function of the vasculature. We hypothesized that hyperglycemia will change the biomechanical response of endothelial cells.
Methods: Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) were cultured in media with normal glucose (5.0mM) or media with high glucose (13.9mM) for 8 days. To determine the biomechanical response, we used traction force microscopy and monolayer stress microscopy to measure cell-cell intercellular stresses and cell-substrate contractile forces (tractions) on day 8.
Results: Cells exposed to high glucose for 8 days had average normal intercellular stresses, maximum shear intercellular stresses, and tractions that were on average 121%, 22%, and 37%, respectively, higher compared to cells in normal glucose for 8 days.
Conclusion: A glucose level of 13.9mM (hyperglycemia) increased endothelial intercellular stresses and contractile forces compared to control. These results show that in addition to the molecular changes commonly seen in the vasculature after recurrent periods of hyperglycemia, there are also biomechanical changes occurring in the endothelial cells. Future studies are needed to determine if the biomechanical response of HUVECs can be recovered after a return to a euglycemic state.
S. Scheller: None. R. Steward: None.
