Alteration of Endothelial Cell Monolayer Integrity Triggers Resynthesis of Vascular Endothelium Cadherin

• DOI: 10.1074/jbc.273.45.29786
• Publication Date: 2002-07-26T15:02:22Z
• Authors: Danielle Gulino; Elisabeth Delachanal; Evelyne Concord; Yolande Genoux; Blandine Morand; Marie-Odile Valiron; Eric Sulpice; Robin Scaife; Monica Alemany; Thierry Vernet
• Keywords: VE-cadherin; Adherens junction; Cell–cell interaction

Although cadherins appear to be necessary for proper cell-cell contacts, the physiological role of VE-cadherin (vascular endothelium cadherin) in adult tissue has not been clearly determined. To shed some light on this question, we have disturbed adhesive function human endothelial cell culture using a polyclonal anti-VE-cadherin antibody. This antibody disrupts confluent monolayers <i>in vitro</i> and transiently generates numerous gaps at junctions. The formation these correlates with reversible increase monolayer permeability. We present evidence that destruction homotypic interactions between extracellular domains induces rapid resynthesis VE-cadherin, leading restoration contacts. expression new molecules modest but significant mRNA synthesis. Altogether, results establish critical maintenance integrity.