Table 2.
Comparison of cytoskeletal alterations induced by cytokines versus ischemia/ATP depletion
| Cytokine Stimulation | Ischemia/ATP Depletion | |
|---|---|---|
| Actin stress fibers | Increase | Breakdown |
| Actin aggregates | Rare | Many (large and small) |
| ATP/GTP levels | Remain stable | Decrease |
| Rho activation | Increases | Decreases |
| Pcofilin levels | Increase | Decrease |
Endothelial cells stimulated with the cytokine cocktail demonstrated increases in actin stress fibers, Rho activation, and pcofilin levels. Actin aggregates were rarely noted, and ATP/GTP levels remained stable with incubation with cytokines. In contrast, ischemia or ATP depletion resulted in breakdown of actin stress fibers with formation of many small and large aggregates, besides decreased Rho activation and decreased pcofilin and ATP/GTP levels.