Differences between common endothelial cell models (primary human aortic endothelial cells and EA.hy926 cells) revealed through transcriptomics, bioinformatics, and functional analysis

Abstract

Endothelial cells (ECs) are involved in various physiological process. Both primary human ECs and immortal endothelial cells are used in various studies. Available genomic or transcriptomic information for difference in ECs is deficient. Therefore, in this study we aim to reveal the difference between primary human aortic ECs (HAECs) and immortal EA.hy926 cells. We identified 529 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between HAECs and EA.hy926 cells. Gene Ontology (GO), KEGG Pathway and GSEA enrichment analysis suggest that DEGs highly expressed in HAECs are distributed in Rap1 signaling pathway and Ras signaling pathway, which are contributing to the endothelial barrier function and endocytosis, among other functions. We also established long non-coding (lncRNA)-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network, and further set up protein–protein interaction (PPI) network. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cellular association experiments were verified that HAECs have stronger response to HDL cellular binding and endocytosis compared to EA.hy926 cells. This study identified DEGs between HAECs and EA.hy926 cells, and found enrichment of the Ras signaling pathway and Rap1 signaling pathway in HAECs, established ceRNA network and suggested that HAECs may have a stronger response to endothelial binding and endocytosis compared to EA.hy926 cells. This work provides a genomic basis to choose suitable EC model to reach respective research goals.