Autophagy Induced by Low Shear Stress Leads to Endothelial Glycocalyx Disruption

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Previous studies have confirmed that low shear stress (LSS) induces glycocalyx disruption, leading to endothelial dysfunction. However, the role of autophagy in LSS-induced glycocalyx disruption and relevant mechanism are not clear. In this study, we hypothesized that LSS may promote autophagy, disrupting the endothelium glycocalyx. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were subjected to physiological shear stress and LSS treatments, followed by the application of autophagy inducers and inhibitors. Additionally, cells were treated with specific matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) inhibitor. The expression of autophagic markers, glycocalyx, MMP-2, and MMP-9 was measured. <b><i>Results:</i></b> LSS impacted the expression of endothelium autophagy markers, increasing the expression of LC3II.LC3I⁻¹ and Beclin⁻¹, and decreasing the levels of p62, accompanied by glycocalyx disturbance. Moreover, LSS upregulated the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and downregulated the levels of syndecan-1 and heparan sulfate (HS). Additionally, expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was increased by an autophagy promoter but was decreased by autophagy inhibitor treatment under LSS. Autophagy and MMP-2 and MMP-9 further caused glycocalyx disruption. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> LSS promotes autophagy, leading to glycocalyx disruption. Autophagy increases the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9, which are correlated with the glycocalyx destruction induced by LSS.