The long term objective of our research program is to elucidate the basic mechanisms underlying accumulation of excess fluid in the extravascular spaces. In our current proposal, we focus on 1) the basic mirovascular, interstitial and lymphatic processes contributing to intrinsic regulation of transmicrovascular fluid balance and 2) the alterations in these processes elicited by neutrophil-dependent inflammatory reactions.
The specific aims of the proposed research are: 1) to quantify transport of water and proteins across venular endothelium under control conditions and following activation of neutrophils; 2) to delineate the cellular and pericellular routes of enhanced protein extravasation induced by neutrophil-dependent inflammatory reactions at the venular wall 3) to evaluate the impact of neutrophil-derived products on the physical properties of the extracellular matrix and 4) to examine the role of lymphatic contractility in governing lymph propulsion during intravenous volume loading and following exposure to neutrophil-derived chemicals. A variety of techniques are used to address the specific aims. At the tissue level, venular function is probed by intravital video microscopy applied to the intact microcirculation of hamster cheek pouch; similar techniques are utilized to study the pumping action of muscular lymphatics in the rat mesentery. Transport of water and solutes across single cheek pouch venules is examined with the isolated perfused microvessel approach. In vitro analysis of transport functions of venular endothelium is made possible by culture of endothelial cells derived from venules dissected from the cheek pouch. Electron microscopy and the immunogold antibody technique are used to probe cellular and interendothelial pathways of albumin and neutrophil extravasation across the venular membrane. Finally, corneal stroma and umbilical cord provide model matrices for probing the impact of neutrophil- derived substances on exclusion, diffusion and convection in basement membranes and interstitial spaces, respectively; alterations in matrix stiffness also are examined. To integrate the findings in these and other studies, computer simulations of microvascular, interstitial and lymphatic interactions under normal and stress conditions are utilized. The proposed research should yield new insights into the causes and treatment of inflammatory reactions in the microvasculature, interstitium and lymphatics.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Method to Extend Research in Time (MERIT) Award (R37)
Project #
5R37HL021498-17
Application #
3485727
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (NSS)
Project Start
1977-09-01
Project End
1997-08-31
Budget Start
1993-09-01
Budget End
1994-08-31
Support Year
17
Fiscal Year
1993
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Texas A&M University
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
College Station
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
77845
Wu, Mack H; Yuan, Sarah Y; Granger, Harris J (2005) The protein kinase MEK1/2 mediate vascular endothelial growth factor- and histamine-induced hyperpermeability in porcine coronary venules. J Physiol 563:95-104
Guo, Mingzhang; Wu, Mack H; Granger, Harris J et al. (2005) Focal adhesion kinase in neutrophil-induced microvascular hyperpermeability. Microcirculation 12:223-32
Guo, Mingzhang; Wu, Mack H; Granger, Harris J et al. (2004) Transference of recombinant VE-cadherin cytoplasmic domain alters endothelial junctional integrity and porcine microvascular permeability. J Physiol 554:78-88
Hayes, H; Kossmann, E; Wilson, E et al. (2003) Development and characterization of endothelial cells from rat microlymphatics. Lymphat Res Biol 1:101-19
Bridenbaugh, Eric A; Gashev, Anatoliy A; Zawieja, David C (2003) Lymphatic muscle: a review of contractile function. Lymphat Res Biol 1:147-58
Wu, Mack H; Guo, Mingzhang; Yuan, Sarah Y et al. (2003) Focal adhesion kinase mediates porcine venular hyperpermeability elicited by vascular endothelial growth factor. J Physiol 552:691-9
Gashev, Anatoliy A; Davis, Michael J; Zawieja, David C (2002) Inhibition of the active lymph pump by flow in rat mesenteric lymphatics and thoracic duct. J Physiol 540:1023-37
Gashev, A A; Orlov, R S; Zawieja, D C (2001) [Contractions of the lymphangion under low filling conditions and the absence of stretching stimuli. The possibility of the sucking effect] Ross Fiziol Zh Im I M Sechenova 87:97-109
Wu, M H; Ustinova, E; Granger, H J (2001) Integrin binding to fibronectin and vitronectin maintains the barrier function of isolated porcine coronary venules. J Physiol 532:785-91
Wu, H M; Yuan, Y; Zawieja, D C et al. (1999) Role of phospholipase C, protein kinase C, and calcium in VEGF-induced venular hyperpermeability. Am J Physiol 276:H535-42

Showing the most recent 10 out of 49 publications