Effects of cyclic stretch on early response gene expressions in normal human pulmonary artery endothelial cells in vitro

The effects of cyclic stretch (within 30 min) on the expressions of early response genes in normal human pulmonary artery endothelial cells (HPAEC) were investigated using an in vitro stretch system. The investigated early response genes were early growth response gene 1 (Egr1), heat-shock protein 4 (Hspa4), PTGS4 (cox2) and the inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6 and IL-8. The genes of Egr1 and PTGS2 were upregulated at early stages by cycle stretch.