Name: a cell culture model of resistance arteries
Uploaded: 2017-09-08T12:00:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Cell Culture Model of Resistance Arteries at JoVE.com

This work was supported by National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute grants R01088554, T32HL007284 and American Heart Association predoctoral fellowship 14PRE20420024. We especially thank the St. Jude Cellular Imaging Shared Research Core, including Randall Wakefield and Linda Horner for the electron microscopy images, Adam Straub for assistance with representative immunofluorescence images,&#160;and Pooneh Bagher for her valuable feedback on the manuscript protocol.

1. Plating Cells for the VCCC
<ol>
	<li>Culture large 225 cm2 flasks of EC and SMC under sterile conditions at 37 &#176;C, until 70-90% confluent. Ensure that more EC than SMC are used; if using primary human EC and SMC, typically 3 large flasks of EC to 1 large flask of SMC.
	<ol>
		<li>Use primary cells at lower passages and do not use past passage 10. Choose the culture media based upon cells to be co-cultured. For primary human coronary artery EC, use EBM-2 EC basal media with EGM2 MV gr...

<ol>
	<li>Isakson, B. E., Duling, B. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Heterocellular+contact+at+the+myoendothelial+junction+influences+gap+junction+organization.">Heterocellular contact at the myoendothelial junction influences gap junction organization.</a> Circ Res. 97 (1), 44-51 (2005).</li><li>Little, T. L., Xia, J., Duling, B. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Dye+tracers+define+differential+endothelial+and+smooth+muscle+coupling+patterns+within+the+arteriolar+wall.">Dye tracers define differential endothelial and smooth muscle coupling patterns within the arteriolar wall.</a> Circ Res. 76 (3), 498-504 (1995).</li><li>Heberlein, K. R., Straub, A. C., Isakson, B. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+myoendothelial+junction:+breaking+through+the+matrix?.">The myoendothelial junction: breaking through the matrix?.</a> Microcirculation. 16 (4), 307-322 (2009).</li><li>Straub, A. C., Zeigler, A. C., Isakson, B. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+myoendothelial+junction:+connections+that+deliver+the+message.">The myoendothelial junction: connections that deliver the message.</a> Physiology (Bethesda). 29 (4), 242-249 (2014).</li><li>Isakson, B. E., Ramos, S. I., Duling, B. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ca2++and+inositol+1,4,5-trisphosphate-mediated+signaling+across+the+myoendothelial+junction.">Ca2+ and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-mediated signaling across the myoendothelial junction.</a> Circ Res. 100 (2), 246-254 (2007).</li><li>Dora, K. A., Doyle, M. P., Duling, B. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Elevation+of+intracellular+calcium+in+smooth+muscle+causes+endothelial+cell+generation+of+NO+in+arterioles.">Elevation of intracellular calcium in smooth muscle causes endothelial cell generation of NO in arterioles.</a> Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 94 (12), 6529-6534 (1997).</li><li>Sonkusare, S. K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Elementary+Ca2++signals+through+endothelial+TRPV4+channels+regulate+vascular+function.">Elementary Ca2+ signals through endothelial TRPV4 channels regulate vascular function.</a> Science. 336 (6081), 597-601 (2012).</li><li>Ledoux, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Functional+architecture+of+inositol+1,4,5-trisphosphate+signaling+in+restricted+spaces+of+myoendothelial+projections.">Functional architecture of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate signaling in restricted spaces of myoendothelial projections.</a> Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 105 (28), 9627-9632 (2008).</li><li>Boerman, E. M., Everhart, J. E., Segal, S. 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A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Two+functionally+distinct+pools+of+eNOS+in+endothelium+are+facilitated+by+myoendothelial+junction+lipid+composition.">Two functionally distinct pools of eNOS in endothelium are facilitated by myoendothelial junction lipid composition.</a> Biochim Biophys Acta. 1861 (7), 671-679 (2016).</li><li>Straub, A. C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Endothelial+cell+expression+of+haemoglobin+alpha+regulates+nitric+oxide+signalling.">Endothelial cell expression of haemoglobin alpha regulates nitric oxide signalling.</a> Nature. 491 (7424), 473-477 (2012).</li><li>Isakson, B. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Localized+expression+of+an+Ins(1,4,5)P3+receptor+at+the+myoendothelial+junction+selectively+regulates+heterocellular+Ca2++communication.">Localized expression of an Ins(1,4,5)P3 receptor at the myoendothelial junction selectively regulates heterocellular Ca2+ communication.</a> J Cell Sci. 121 (Pt 21), 3664-3673 (2008).</li><li>Axel, D. I., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Induction+of+cell-rich+and+lipid-rich+plaques+in+a+transfilter+coculture+system+with+human+vascular+cells.">Induction of cell-rich and lipid-rich plaques in a transfilter coculture system with human vascular cells.</a> J Vasc Res. 33 (4), 327-339 (1996).</li><li>Hastings, N. E., Simmers, M. B., McDonald, O. G., Wamhoff, B. R., Blackman, B. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Atherosclerosis-prone+hemodynamics+differentially+regulates+endothelial+and+smooth+muscle+cell+phenotypes+and+promotes+pro-inflammatory+priming.">Atherosclerosis-prone hemodynamics differentially regulates endothelial and smooth muscle cell phenotypes and promotes pro-inflammatory priming.</a> Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 293 (6), C1824-C1833 (2007).</li><li>Herzog, D. P., Dohle, E., Bischoff, I., Kirkpatrick, C. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cell+communication+in+a+coculture+system+consisting+of+outgrowth+endothelial+cells+and+primary+osteoblasts.">Cell communication in a coculture system consisting of outgrowth endothelial cells and primary osteoblasts.</a> Biomed Res Int. , 320123 (2014).</li><li>Jacot, J. G., Wong, J. Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Endothelial+injury+induces+vascular+smooth+muscle+cell+proliferation+in+highly+localized+regions+of+a+direct+contact+co-culture+system.">Endothelial injury induces vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation in highly localized regions of a direct contact co-culture system.</a> Cell Biochem Biophys. 52 (1), 37-46 (2008).</li><li>Scott-Drechsel, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+new+flow+co-culture+system+for+studying+mechanobiology+effects+of+pulse+flow+waves.">A new flow co-culture system for studying mechanobiology effects of pulse flow waves.</a> Cytotechnology. 64 (6), 649-666 (2012).</li><li>van Buul-Wortelboer, M. F., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Reconstitution+of+the+vascular+wall+in+vitro.+A+novel+model+to+study+interactions+between+endothelial+and+smooth+muscle+cells.">Reconstitution of the vascular wall in vitro. A novel model to study interactions between endothelial and smooth muscle cells.</a> Exp Cell Res. 162 (1), 151-158 (1986).</li><li>Wilhelm, I., Fazakas, C., Krizbai, I. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=In+vitro+models+of+the+blood-brain+barrier.">In vitro models of the blood-brain barrier.</a> Acta Neurobiol Exp (Wars). 71 (1), 113-128 (2011).</li><li>Heberlein, K. R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+novel+mRNA+binding+protein+complex+promotes+localized+plasminogen+activator+inhibitor-1+accumulation+at+the+myoendothelial+junction.">A novel mRNA binding protein complex promotes localized plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 accumulation at the myoendothelial junction.</a> Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 32 (5), 1271-1279 (2012).</li><li>Straub, A. C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Compartmentalized+connexin+43+s-nitrosylation/denitrosylation+regulates+heterocellular+communication+in+the+vessel+wall.">Compartmentalized connexin 43 s-nitrosylation/denitrosylation regulates heterocellular communication in the vessel wall.</a> Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 31 (2), 399-407 (2011).</li><li>Cucina, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Vascular+endothelial+growth+factor+increases+the+migration+and+proliferation+of+smooth+muscle+cells+through+the+mediation+of+growth+factors+released+by+endothelial+cells.">Vascular endothelial growth factor increases the migration and proliferation of smooth muscle cells through the mediation of growth factors released by endothelial cells.</a> J Surg Res. 109 (1), 16-23 (2003).</li><li>Heberlein, K. R., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Plasminogen+activator+inhibitor-1+regulates+myoendothelial+junction+formation.">Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 regulates myoendothelial junction formation.</a> Circ Res. 106 (6), 1092-1102 (2010).</li><li>Isakson, B. E., Best, A. K., Duling, B. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Incidence+of+protein+on+actin+bridges+between+endothelium+and+smooth+muscle+in+arterioles+demonstrates+heterogeneous+connexin+expression+and+phosphorylation.">Incidence of protein on actin bridges between endothelium and smooth muscle in arterioles demonstrates heterogeneous connexin expression and phosphorylation.</a> Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 294 (6), H2898-H2904 (2008).</li><li>Biwer, L. A., Isakson, B. 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The VCCC has a number of advantages in terms of recapitulating MEJs in vitro, but there are points of discussion when determining if the VCCC can be utilized for specific application. For example, if different cell types are to be used with this model, it will need to be optimized. We have used primary human cells but it is possible to isolate cells from bovine aortas24, or wildtype or knockout mice, and use them in the VCCC1,5<su...

In small diameter resistance arteries, a thin internal elastic lamina (IEL) separates endothelial (EC) and smooth muscle cells (SMC). The cells can project through holes in this elastic matrix and make direct cytoplasmic connections via gap junction channels1,2. This unique structure is termed the myoendothelial junction (MEJ). The MEJ is a small (approximately 0.5 &#181;m x 0.5 &#181;m, depending on the vascular bed), cellular projection composed predominantly of endothelial cells but may originate from smooth muscle as well3,4. A number of investigators have demonstrated the immense complexity of signaling networks that occur selectively at the MEJ, rendering it an especially important location for facilitating bi-directional signaling between endothelium and smooth muscle5,6,7,8,9,10.
However, a mechanistic dissection of signaling pathways at the MEJ is difficult in an intact artery. Because the MEJ is a cellular projection, it is not currently possible to isolate an in vivo MEJ from the vascular wall. For this reason, the VCCC model1 was developed. Importantly, the VCCC replicates physiological endothelial morphology11 and polarization of signaling between the apical and MEJ portions of the cell12. It was this unique model that facilitated the discovery that alpha hemoglobin is in the endothelial cell, polarized to the MEJ. This is in contrast to conventionally cultured endothelial cells which do not express alpha hemoglobin13. For researchers interested in microvascular endothelium, it may be more appropriate to use endothelial cells that have been cultured in the VCCC, particularly if the intent is to dissect signaling pathways that occur in small diameter resistance arteries.
Using a sturdy plastic insert containing a filter with small diameter pores (0.4 &#181;m in diameter) to co-culture two distinct cell types prevents the cells from migrating between layers. It results in a 10 &#181;m distance between the cells, which is significantly longer than in vivo, but still replicates many of the in vivo characteristics of MEJs, including protein localization and second messenger signaling1,14. In addition, the VCCC allows for targeting of cell type-specific signaling via the addition of an agonist or antagonist to the specific cellular compartment. For example, loading the EC with BAPTA-AM to chelate calcium, and stimulating the SMC with phenylephrine14. In contrast to other descriptions of co-culture models15,16,17,18,19,20,21, this provides instructions on isolating the distinct fractions for mRNA and protein, including the distinct MEJ fraction within the filter pores. The addition of this technique to the VCCC allows for specific investigation of changes in mRNA localization or transcription22, protein phosphorylation12,23, and protein activity12. This article will describe plating of EC on top of the filter and SMC on the bottom, although it is possible to culture the two cell types in different conformations11,18,24.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>24mm diameter, 0.4&#181;m Transwell Polyester membrane filter insert</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>3450</td>
			<td>This is one 6 well plate of inserts</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>225cm2 flask</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>431082</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>6 well plates (without filter inserts)</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>3506</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Primary human coronary artery endothelial cells</td>
			<td>Lonza</td>
			<td>CC-2585</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Primary human coronary artery smooth muscle cells</td>
			<td>Lonza</td>
			<td>CC-2583</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EBM-2 EC Basal media</td>
			<td>Lonza</td>
			<td>CC-3156</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EC growth factors (EGM2 MV Single quots)</td>
			<td>Lonza</td>
			<td>CC-4147</td>
			<td>Add to basal media before use</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SmBM SMC basal media</td>
			<td>Lonza</td>
			<td>CC-3181</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SMC growth factors (SmGM-2 SingleQuot)</td>
			<td>Lonza</td>
			<td>CC-4149</td>
			<td>Add to basal media before use</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>0.5% Trypsin-EDTA 10X</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>15400-054</td>
			<td>Dilute to 2X with sterile dPBS</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hemocytometer</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>15170-208</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>large petri dishes for SMC Plating (150mm)</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>353025</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bovine gelatin</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>G-9382</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Human fibronectin</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>356008</td>
			<td>5&#181;g/ml of fibronectin and store at -20</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>10X Hanks&#39; Buffered salt solution (HBSS)</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>14065-056</td>
			<td>Dilute to 1x with sterile water</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>10X Dulbecco&#39;s Phosphate buffered saline (dPBS)</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>14200-075</td>
			<td>Dilute to 1x with sterile water</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Disposable Curved Scalpel (30mm cutting edge) with handle</td>
			<td>Amazon</td>
			<td>MDS15210</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Forceps</td>
			<td>Fisher</td>
			<td>17-467-201</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell lifter</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>3008</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell scraper</td>
			<td>BD Falcon</td>
			<td>353085</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>50mL conical tube</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>352070</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>10mm petri dishes</td>
			<td>Falcon</td>
			<td>35-1008</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Rneasy mini kit</td>
			<td>Qiagen</td>
			<td>74104</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>RNA lysis reagent</td>
			<td>Qiagen</td>
			<td>79306</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Paraformaldehyde</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>158127</td>
			<td>Make 4% solution with dPBS</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>70% ethanol</td>
			<td>Fisher</td>
			<td>04-355-305</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cavicide disinfectant</td>
			<td>Fisher</td>
			<td>131000</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>RIPA protein lysis buffer</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>R0278</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sonic dismembranator</td>
			<td>Fisher</td>
			<td>Model 50</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1X PBS for harvesting EC/SMC and immunocytochemistry</td>
			<td>Gibco</td>
			<td>10010023</td>
			<td>does not need to be sterile</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Embedding/Sectioning/Staining</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Paraffin</td>
			<td>Fisher</td>
			<td>P31-500</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Automated tissue processer</td>
			<td>Excelsior</td>
			<td>ES</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Embedding station + cold plate</td>
			<td>Leica</td>
			<td>HistoCore Arcadia</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tissue Tek Accu-Edge Microtome blade</td>
			<td>VWR</td>
			<td>25608-961 or 25608-964</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microscope slides</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher</td>
			<td>22-230-900</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Coverslips</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher</td>
			<td>12-548-5E</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Prolong Gold mounting medium</td>
			<td>Thermo Fisher</td>
			<td>P36931</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Name</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
			<td>Comments</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Other Solutions</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>**Perform all steps in sterile conditions if using the solution on live cells</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Sterile dPBS</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Autoclave water to sterilize. Using the sterile water make DPBS (450mL sterile water: 50mL 10X DPBS), mix and filter sterilize (0.2&#181;m filter). 
			Final concentration: 1X</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>sterile HBSS</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Autoclave water to sterilize. Using the sterile water make HBSS (450mL sterile water: 50mL 10X HBSS), mix and filter sterilize (0.2&#181;m filter). 
			Final concentration: 1X</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fibronectin stock solution</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Use 50mL of sterile water to fibronectin to make stock of 1mL aliquots, then freeze until needed 
			Final concentration: 100&#181;g/mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fibronectin to coat SMC side of VCCC</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>thaw one aliquot and add 1mL of fibronectin (100&#181;g/mL) to 19mLs of 1X HBSS to reach a final concentration of 5&#181;g/mL. 
			Final concentration: 5&#181;g/mL</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>2x Trypsin EDTA solution</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Dilute the 10X 0.5% Trypsin-EDTA to 2X with 1X dPBS (40mL DPBS: 10mL 10X Trypsin) . 
			Final concentration: 2X</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Blocking/antibody solution</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>(9mL 1X PBS, 25mL Triton X100, 50mg bovine serum albumin, 500mL normal serum)</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Bovine gelatin to coat EC VCCC</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>Mix 0.5g bovine gelatin into 100mL distilled water. Autoclave prior to first use and store at room temperature. Keep in sterile conditions. 
			Final concentration: 0.50%</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1X PBS for harvesting cells</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td>does not need to be sterile</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

a cell culture model of resistance arteries

The myoendothelial junction (MEJ), a unique signaling microdomain in small diameter resistance arteries, exhibits localization of specific proteins and signaling processes that can control vascular tone and blood pressure. As it is a projection from either the endothelial or smooth muscle cell, and due to its small size (on average, an area of ~1 &#181;m2), the MEJ is difficult to study in isolation. However, we have developed a cell culture model called the vascular cell co-culture (VCCC) that allows for in vitro MEJ formation, endothelial cell polarization, and dissection of signaling proteins and processes in the vascular wall of resistance arteries. The VCCC has a multitude of applications and can be adapted to suit different cell types. The model consists of two cell types grown on opposite sides of a filter with 0.4 &#181;m pores in which the in vitro MEJs can form. Here we describe how to create the VCCC via plating of cells and isolation of endothelial, MEJ, and smooth muscle fractions, which can then be used for protein isolation or activity assays. The filter with intact cell layers can be fixed, embedded, and sectioned for immunofluorescent analysis. Importantly, many of the discoveries from this model have been confirmed using intact resistance arteries, underscoring its physiological relevance.

The filter inserts used for the VCCC have small, 0.4 &#181;m holes. Figure 1A, an en face view of the VCCC filter inset, shows the pores in which the MEJ can form in vitro. The schematic depicts the smooth muscle cells plated on the lower side of the filter one day before the endothelial cells are plated on the opposite side (Figure 1B). Once the cells are plated, the EC, MEJ, and SMC fractions can be isolated t...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Cell Culture Model of Resistance Arteries at JoVE.com

A Cell Culture Model of Resistance Arteries

A cell culture model of resistance arteries is described, allowing for the dissection of signaling pathways in endothelium, smooth muscle, or between endothelium and smooth muscle (the myoendothelial junction). The selective application of agonists or protein isolation, electron microscopy, or immunofluorescence can be utilized using this cell culture model.

The myoendothelial junction (MEJ), a unique signaling microdomain in small diameter resistance arteries, exhibits localization of specific proteins and ...

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