Shear stress-induced release of basic fibroblast growth factor from endothelial cells is mediated by matrix interaction via integrin alpha(v)beta3.

Considering that chronic elevation of shear stress results in remodeling of the vasculature, we analyzed whether mechanical load could mediate basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) release and whether bFGF would act as mediator of shear stress-induced endothelial proliferation and differentiation. Supernatant media of shear stress-exposed endothelial cells (EC) contained significantly higher amounts of bFGF than medium from static cells. Released bFGF was fully intact with regard to its function as an inductor of proliferation and differentiation. Shear stress-conditioned media induced capillary-like structure formation, whereas static control medium did not. Likewise, only shear stress-conditioned medium induced proliferation of serum starved EC. Both capillary-like structure formation and proliferation could be inhibited by neutralization of bFGF or its receptor. The release of bFGF was subject to specific, integrin-mediated control, since inhibition of alpha(v)beta(3) integrin prevented it, whereas inhibition of alpha(5)beta(1) integrin had no effect. We conclude that shear stress induces the release of bFGF from EC in a tightly controlled manner. The release is dependent on specific cell-matrix interactions via alpha(v)beta(3) integrins. The effects on cell proliferation and differentiation suggest that release of bFGF is functionally significant and may represent a necessary initial step in adaptive remodeling processes induced by shear stress.