Prostacyclin secretion by human endothelial cells grown on carbodiimide cross-linked proteins: an assessment of the cytocompatibility of a substratum.

Prostacyclin production by human umbilical vein endothelial cells cultured on carbodiimide cross-linked albumin and/or gelatin was quantified during the exponential growth phase and in confluent cultures as a response to arachidonic acid stimulus. In confluent cultures, basal production of prostacyclin measured by radioimmunoassay of the stable metabolite 6-keto-PGF1 alpha was comparable for both substrates to a control culture. Maximal release of prostacyclin occurred during the first 24 h following cell seeding and these values were significantly higher in media from cultures performed on membranes. In both cases, PGI2 production decreased as cell density increased. After stimulation with 20 microM arachidonic acid for 20 min, media from confluent cells grown on membranes contained slightly greater amounts of PGI2 than control culture medium. These results indicate involvement of substratum in PGI2 Release. Early enhancement of PGI2 secretion could improve biocompatibility of membranes by preventing platelet aggregation.