Figure 4
Effect on IL-1β on intercellular VE-cadherin complexes on ECs is shown. ECs were grown to confluence on fibronectin coated glass slides. Cells were stained for VE-cadherin and F-actin and visualized using an inverted fluorescence microscope. Untreated ECs form a functional monolayer without cellular gaps (control). Fluorescein labeled VE-cadherin antibodies demarcated individual cell borders whereas a Texas Red F-actin antibodies illustrate a relaxed cytoskeleton. Factor VIII-deficient plasma or IL-1 treatment alone showed similar staining patterns as untreated control cells. However, when used in combination there were large intracellular gaps seen (white arrows) in association with downregulation of VE-cadherin and the F-actin cytoskeletal filaments appear contracted and aligned in a spindle fashion.