Endothelial Damage Inhibitor Protects Endothelial Cytoskeletal Integrity during Storage and Endothelial Cell Retention during Simulated Reperfusion

Background: Endothelial damage during storage has been implicated as a major contributor to vein graft failure (VGF) after coronary artery bypass grafting. An endothelial damage inhibitor solution (EDI) was found to reduce VGF incidence. We have previously shown that the EDI protects endothelial graft luminal coverage and focal adhesions with concomitant cell contraction, suggesting effects on endothelial cell retention during reperfusion.

Methods: To mimic intraoperative storage, saphenous vein endothelial cells (HSVECs) were treated with EDI or full electrolyte solution (FES) for 2 h at room temperature. To simulate graft reperfusion, HSVECs (n = 5) were exposed to a constant shear stress of 5 dyne/cm² after incubation. Cellular integrity during static incubation was characterized by atomic force microscopy and immunofluorescence microscopy (n = 3).

Results: Reperfusion after EDI treatment resulted in recovery of cell contractions, whereas confluency significantly decreased after FES (7.59% vs. −36.95%, p = 0.0074, respectively). HSVECs after FES showed increased cell height and decreased cell stiffness compared with cells after EDI. Actin filament staining after EDI treatment showed no decrease in signal intensity or area, whereas cells after FES lost actin filament integrity.

Conclusion: Taken together, the EDI protects the cytoskeletal integrity of HSVECs and cell retention after reperfusion, further explaining the improvement in overall SVG performance after storage.

Publication History

Article published online:
11 February 2025