The changes of von Willebrand factor content in endothelial cells co-cultured with vascular smooth muscle cells under shear stress

Objective: To investigate the effect of the shear stress on anti coagulation and adhesion ability of ECs co cultured with VSMCs. Methods: ECs co cultured with VSMCs were exposed to physiological laminar shear stress, vWF in ECs were detected by immunohistochemical method and computer image analysis.Results: The changes of vWF in ECs was correlated with the shear stress. The larger the shear stress was, the smaller the quantity of vWF, especially in the 1st hour. Conclusion: The physiological laminar shear stress probably decrease the expression of vWF in Ecs or accelerate the release of vWF in ECs in short time, which facilitate the enhancing of anti coagulation and the adhesion ability of ECs co cultured with VSMCs. [