14-3-3参与apelin-13促进大鼠血管平滑肌细胞增殖ERK1/2信号途径研究

本室以前已经报道了G蛋白偶联受体APJ的内源性配体多肽,apelin-13,通过激活ERK1/2促进大鼠血管平滑肌细胞增殖.本文研究14-3-3信号蛋白是否参与apelin-13促进大鼠血管平滑肌细胞增殖ERK1/2信号途径,探讨apelin/APJ系统的细胞信号转导机制.组织贴块法培养大鼠胸主动脉VSMCs;Western blotting方法检测14-3-3、pRaf-1、Raf-1、pERK1/2、ERK1/2、cyclinD1、cyclinE的表达;MTT方法观察14-3-3抑制剂Difopein对VSMCs的增殖作用;免疫共沉淀方法检测14-3-3和Raf-1蛋白复合物的形成.Western blotting方法结果显示,apelin-13(0、0.5、1、2、4μmol/L)浓度依赖性刺激大鼠VSMCs 14-3-3表达、Raf-1和ERK1/2磷酸化,以2μmol/L最为明显;2μmol/L apelin-13时间依赖性刺激大鼠VSMCs 14-3-3表达、Raf-1和ERK1/2磷酸化,在4 h增加最为显著;14-3-3蛋白抑制剂Difopein明显抑制apelin-13诱导的Raf-1磷酸化、ERK1/2磷酸化、cyclinD1及cyclinE表达;免疫共沉淀方法发现apelin-13诱导14-3-3与Raf-1结合增加,而Difopein明显抑制两者结合;MTT法显示Difopein明显抑制apelin-13诱导的血管平滑肌细胞增殖.上述结果表明,Apelin-13通过14-3-3/Raf-1复合物-ERK1/2信号转导通路促进大鼠血管平滑肌细胞增殖.     

木犀草素通过抑制p65 NF-κB、促进p85 PI3K调节微血管内皮细胞VCAM-1表达（英文）

通过抑制微血管内皮细胞血管细胞黏附分子(VCAM)-1的表达,木犀草素可阻遏中性粒细胞与微血管内皮细胞的黏附,起到抗炎作用.木犀草素调节VCAM-1表达与三条信号通路有关:丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK)、核因子kappa B(NF-κB)/IκB和磷脂酰肌醇3激酶(PI3K)/Akt通路.其中,MAPK和NF-κB/IκB通路参与VCAM-1正向调节,PI3K/Akt通路参与VCAM-1负向调节.本文研究了木犀草素对微血管内皮细胞该三条通路中的关键蛋白p38 MAPK、p65 NF-κB、p85 PI3K磷酸化.结果表明:木犀草素在反应的30 s和1 min促进p38 MAPK磷酸化,在30 s、1 min和5 min促进p85 PI3K磷酸化,而在30 s、1 min、5 min和30 min抑制p65 NF-κB磷酸化.阻抑p38 MAPK通路导致VCAM-1表达下调,而p38 MAPK抑制剂SB203580可通过抑制p38 MAPK磷酸化也下调VCAM-1,提示木犀草素对微血管内皮细胞VCAM-1的调节作用独立于p38 MAPK磷酸化.由此可知,木犀草素通过抑制p65 NF-κB磷酸化或促进p85 PI3K磷酸化调节微血管内皮细胞VCAM-1表达.本文为木犀草素抗炎作用的分子机制研究提供了新的线索.     

木犀草素通过抑制p65 NF-κB、促进p85 PI3K调节微血管内皮细胞VCAM-1表达

通过抑制微血管内皮细胞血管细胞黏附分子(VCAM)-1的表达,木犀草素可阻遏中性粒细胞与微血管内皮细胞的黏附,起到抗炎作用。木犀草素调节VCAM-1表达与三条信号通路有关：丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(MAPK)、核因子kappa B (NF-κB)/IκB和磷脂酰肌醇3激酶(PI3K)/Akt通路。其中,MAPK和NF-κB/IκB通路参与VCAM-1正向调节,PI3K/Akt通路参与VCAM-1负向调节。本文研究了木犀草素对微血管内皮细胞该三条通路中的关键蛋白p38 MAPK、p65 NF-κB、p85 PI3K磷酸化。结果表明：木犀草素在反应的30s和1min促进p38 MAPK磷酸化,在30 s、1 min和5 min促进p85 PI3K磷酸化,而在30 s、1 min、5 min和30 min抑制p65 NF-κB磷酸化。阻抑p38 MAPK通路导致VCAM-1表达下调,而p38 MAPK抑制剂SB203580可通过抑制p38 MAPK磷酸化也下调VCAM-1,提示木犀草素对微血管内皮细胞VCAM-1的调节作用独立于p38 MAPK磷酸化。由此可知,木犀草素通过抑制p65 NF-κB磷酸化或促进p85 PI3K磷酸化调节微血管内皮细胞VCAM-1表达。本文为木犀草素抗炎作用的分子机制研究提供了新的线索。     

异丙酚对人肺血管内皮细胞中ACEⅡ表达的影响

目的:观察异丙酚对人肺动脉内皮细胞中ACE2的影响。方法:以人肺动脉内皮细胞为研究对象,利用Real-time PCR检测不同浓度(1、10、20、40、50μmol/L)异丙酚在不同时间点(6、12、18、24、30h)对HPAEC中ACE2 mRNA表达的影响;Western Blot检测不同浓度(1、10、20、40、50μmol/L)异丙酚对HPAEC中ACE2蛋白表达的影响;观察磷脂酰肌醇-3-激酶(PI3K)抑制剂LY294002对异丙酚调节HPAEC中ACE2 mRNA表达的影响。结果:异丙酚呈剂量和时间依赖性可提高人肺动脉内皮细胞ACE2mRNA水平(P0.05)。但异丙酚浓度为1μmol/L时对ACE2 mRNA水平表达无明显影响(P0.05)。Western Blot检测结果显示异丙酚可增加HPAEC中ACE2蛋白的表达,且在24 h内具有剂量依赖性。异丙酚在24h时剂量依赖性提高Akt的磷酸化,而LY294002可逆转异丙酚对Akt磷酸化的影响。结论:异丙酚可分别通过PI3K/Akt信号途径上调ACE2的表达,使RAS轴处在动态平衡中,从而发挥舒张血管和镇痛作用。     

ERK1/2参与自发性高血压大鼠离体血管环对apelin-13舒张反应性降低作用

研究自发性高血压大鼠(spontanously hypertensive rat,SHR)离体血管环对G蛋白偶联受体APJ的内源性配体apelin-13的血管收缩与舒张反应及其与一氧化氮(NO)和ERK1/2通路关系．采用离体血管环体外灌流方法用Power-Lab生物信息采集仪检测血管环的张力．实验分组如下：新福林(Phenylephrine,PE)组,乙酰胆碱(acetylcholine,Ach)组,apelin-13组,apelin-13 + PE组,apelin-13 + Ach组,PD98059(ERK1/2抑制剂) + PE组,PD98059 + Ach组,LNNA(L-nitro-arginine,硝基左旋精氨酸,一氧化氮合酶抑制剂) + PE组,LNNA+Ach组,apelin-13(预孵育) + PD98059 + PE组,apelin-13(预孵育)+PD98059+ Ach组,apelin-13(预孵育) + LNNA + PE组和apelin-13(预孵育) + LNNA + Ach组,以WKY大鼠血管环为对照组．培养大鼠血管平滑肌细胞,Western blot检测ERK1/2蛋白表达．结果显示：a．apelin-13对于有内皮的血管表现出浓度依赖性舒张作用,血管舒张百分比SHR < WKY大鼠,而对于去除内皮血管,apelin-13则表现出收缩血管的作用,且收缩张力SHR>WKY大鼠,apelin-13预孵育,能减少SHR和WKY大鼠血管对新福林的缩血管反应性,增加对乙酰胆碱的舒张反应性;b．NOS抑制剂LNNA阻断NO形成后,血管环对apelin-13的舒张反应明显抑制,且SHR组较WKY组对apelin的舒张反应减少更明显,提示apelin-13的舒血管效应至少部分依赖NO通路,而SHR高血压大鼠NO通路障碍减弱了apelin对血管的舒张作用;c．ERK1/2抑制剂PD98059预孵育后血管环对apelin-13表现出浓度依赖性的收缩,与去除内皮后apelin-13的收缩血管效应趋势一致,血管收缩张力SHR＞WKY大鼠,PD98059逆转了apelin-13引起的血管舒张效应;d．Apelin-13促大鼠VSMCs ERK1/2磷酸化增加并呈剂量依赖性和时间依赖性,ERK1/2抑制剂PD98059可以减少apelin-13诱导ERK1/2的磷酸化．结果表明,自发性高血压大鼠离体血管环对apelin-13舒张反应性降低, NO通路和ERK1/2通路介导了apelin-13的舒张血管作用．     

三氧化二砷对人脐静脉内皮细胞凋亡及VCAM-1/ICAM-1 表达的影响

目的:观察三氧化二砷(As2O3)对血管内皮细胞增殖、凋亡及VCAM-1/ICAM-1表达的影响,探讨As2O3对血管内皮细胞增殖生长以及炎症反应的影响。方法:人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVEC)体外培养,以不同As2O3浓度及时间对其进行干预。采用CCK-8测定细胞增殖活性,流式细胞仪AnnexinⅤ/PI双染法检测细胞的凋亡率,实时荧光定量PCR检测VCAM-1mRNA表达,酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测细胞间黏附分子(VCAM-1)及血管细胞黏附分子(ICAM-1)的表达情况。结果:当As2O3浓度在3μmol.L-1时HUVEC培养24 h的的凋亡率为(0.134±0.03)%,48 h为(3.305±0.53)%,72 h为(3.748±0.84)%(P<0.05),凋亡率均在一较低水平。当As2O3浓度>3μmol.L-1时HUVEC凋亡率明显增加(P<0.01)。不同浓度As2O3作用HUVEC48 h后检测上清液中ICAM-1与VCAM-1浓度时发现1μmol.L-1时VCAM-1表达即开始增加(123.32±3.78 mmol.L-1,P<0.01),而HUVEC表达ICAM-1含量与对照组相比差异并不明显(38.94±2.59 mmol.L-1,P>0.05),随着As2O3浓度的增加,HUVEC表达ICAM-1/VCAM-1的量均增加但敏感性不同。对照组及(1.0、2.0、3.0、4.0、5.0)μmol.L-1As2O3作用于HUVEC 48 h实时荧光定量PCR法检测VCAM-1mRNA表达量明显增加,与对照组相比实验组的表达量分别为(1.657±0.287,1.858±0.241,2.321±0.280,3.012±0.235,3.508±0.342)(P<0.01)。结论:As2O3可直接降低细胞活性,诱导细胞凋亡,并且呈一定的时间-浓度依赖性。在较低浓度时VCAM-1/ICAM-1的表达在一个相对较低的水平,随着As2O3浓度的逐渐升高,内皮细胞凋亡率增高,VCAM-1/ICAM-1表达增加,并且VCAM-1/ICAM-1对As2O3的敏感性呈现一定的差异性。     

腺苷酸活化蛋白激酶活化对单核细胞-内皮细胞黏附的影响及其机制北大核心CSCD

本研究旨在探讨腺苷酸活化蛋白激酶（AMP-activated protein kinase,AMPK）活化对单核细胞与内皮细胞黏附的影响及其分子机制。用不同剂量的AMPK激动剂5-氨基咪唑-4-甲酰胺核糖核苷酸（AICAR,0~2 mmol/L）或AMPK抑制剂compound C（10 mmol/L）处理肿瘤坏死因子α（tumor necrosis factorα,TNFα,10 ng/m L）诱导的人主动脉内皮细胞（human aortic endothelial cells,HAECs）,用TNFα诱导过表达活性型或显性抑制型AMPK蛋白的HAECs。用荧光染色法观察AMPK对荧光标记的单核THP-1细胞与HAECs黏附的影响。用荧光定量PCR检测血管细胞黏附分子1（vascular cell adhesion molecule-1,VCAM-1）和细胞间黏附分子1（intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1,ICAM-1）m RNA表达水平,用ELISA法检测二者的蛋白分泌量;用Western blot检测核因子-kappa B（nuclear factor-kappa B,NF-κB）p65的211位点赖氨酸乙酰化水平,用ELISA法检测NF-κB p65DNA结合活性,并用试剂盒检测p300乙酰转移酶活性。通过小干扰RNA抑制HAECs组蛋白乙酰转移酶p300蛋白表达后,检测TNFα对NF-κB p65 DNA结合活性、黏附分子ICAM-1、VCAM-1的表达及单核细胞黏附率的影响。结果显示,AICAR显著抑制TNFα诱导的单核细胞与HAECs的黏附,在HAECs中下调TNFα诱导的ICAM-1、VCAM-1的m RNA水平上调和蛋白分泌。AICAR的效应可以被AMPK抑制剂compound C完全阻断。转染活性型AMPKα显著抑制TNFα诱导的ICAM-1、VCAM-1m RNA表达和分泌,以及单核细胞-内皮细胞黏附,而转染显性抑制型AMPKα则无明显影响。RNAi干预抑制p300活性显著抑制TNFα诱导的黏附分子表达和单核-内皮细胞黏附。AMPK激活可抑制TNFα诱导的p300乙酰转移酶活性,抑制NF-κB p65的211位赖氨酸的乙酰化,降低NF-κB p65 DNA结合活性。以上结果提示,AMPK激活抑制单核细胞-内皮细胞黏附,作用机制可能与其降低p300酶活性,下调NF-κB p65转录活性密切相关。     

载脂蛋白CⅢ致动脉粥样硬化的新机制

载脂蛋白CⅢ(apolipoprotein CⅢ,apo CⅢ)在致动脉粥样硬化中有直接作用。首先,apo CⅢ激活血液循环单核细胞,细胞表面黏附分子β1整合素表达上调,促进单核细胞与血管内皮发生黏附;其次,apo CⅢ诱导血管内皮细胞表达血管细胞黏附分子-1(vascular cell adhesion molecule-1,VCAM-1)和细胞间黏附分子-1(intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1,ICAM-1),募集循环中的单核细胞并发生黏附;最后,apo CⅢ诱导血管内皮细胞发生胰岛素抵抗,导致内皮功能紊乱,引发内皮炎症和动脉硬化。     

腺苷酸活化蛋白激酶活化对单核细胞-内皮细胞黏附的影响及其机制

本研究旨在探讨腺苷酸活化蛋白激酶(AMP-activated protein kinase,AMPK)活化对单核细胞与内皮细胞黏附的影响及其分子机制。用不同剂量的AMPK激动剂5-氨基咪唑-4-甲酰胺核糖核苷酸(AICAR,0~2 mmol/L)或AMPK抑制剂compound C(10 mmol/L)处理肿瘤坏死因子α(tumor necrosis factorα,TNFα,10 ng/m L)诱导的人主动脉内皮细胞(human aortic endothelial cells,HAECs),用TNFα诱导过表达活性型或显性抑制型AMPK蛋白的HAECs。用荧光染色法观察AMPK对荧光标记的单核THP-1细胞与HAECs黏附的影响。用荧光定量PCR检测血管细胞黏附分子1(vascular cell adhesion molecule-1,VCAM-1)和细胞间黏附分子1(intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1,ICAM-1)m RNA表达水平,用ELISA法检测二者的蛋白分泌量;用Western blot检测核因子-kappa B(nuclear factor-kappa B,NF-κB)p65的211位点赖氨酸乙酰化水平,用ELISA法检测NF-κB p65DNA结合活性,并用试剂盒检测p300乙酰转移酶活性。通过小干扰RNA抑制HAECs组蛋白乙酰转移酶p300蛋白表达后,检测TNFα对NF-κB p65 DNA结合活性、黏附分子ICAM-1、VCAM-1的表达及单核细胞黏附率的影响。结果显示,AICAR显著抑制TNFα诱导的单核细胞与HAECs的黏附,在HAECs中下调TNFα诱导的ICAM-1、VCAM-1的m RNA水平上调和蛋白分泌。AICAR的效应可以被AMPK抑制剂compound C完全阻断。转染活性型AMPKα显著抑制TNFα诱导的ICAM-1、VCAM-1m RNA表达和分泌,以及单核细胞-内皮细胞黏附,而转染显性抑制型AMPKα则无明显影响。RNAi干预抑制p300活性显著抑制TNFα诱导的黏附分子表达和单核-内皮细胞黏附。AMPK激活可抑制TNFα诱导的p300乙酰转移酶活性,抑制NF-κB p65的211位赖氨酸的乙酰化,降低NF-κB p65 DNA结合活性。以上结果提示,AMPK激活抑制单核细胞-内皮细胞黏附,作用机制可能与其降低p300酶活性,下调NF-κB p65转录活性密切相关。     

Apelin/APJ：血管功能调节因子和药物治疗新靶点

Apelin(APJendogenousligand)是血管紧张素Ⅱ1型受体相关蛋白(angiotensin receptor-like 1,APJ)的内源性配体.Apelin/APJ系统在机体内广泛分布,在众多血管系统表达水平较高,如心血管系统、肺血管系统等.研究发现,apelin可调节血管张力,促进血管平滑肌细胞增殖、视网膜血管新生以及单核细胞向内皮细胞黏附,促进肝门静脉和冠状动脉侧枝形成等.本文就apelin调节血管功能及其相关疾病(高血压、肺动脉高压、动脉粥样硬化、胶质瘤、肺癌、门静脉高压、糖尿病血管并发症等)进行综述,揭示了apelin与血管及其相关疾病的内在联系,表明apelin/APJ可作为血管疾病的治疗靶点.     

Apelin-13 passes through the ADMA-damaged endothelial barrier and acts on vascular smooth muscle cells

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, is associated with vascular dysfunction. The polypeptide apelin mediates two major actions on blood vessels. However, their combined effects on vascular function are not fully understood. The present study aimed to determine the effect of apelin-13 on myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) under ADMA-induced endothelial leakage conditions. To assess the increased permeability induced by ADMA, human umbilical vein endothelium cells (HUVECs) were plated in transwell dishes. The FITC-dextran flux and FITC-apelin-13 flux through the endothelial monolayer were measured. To examine the effect of leakage of apelin-13 on MLC phosphorylation in HUVSMCs, transwell dishes were used to establish a coculture system with HUVECs in upper chambers and HUVSMCs in lower chambers. Western blot was performed to assess the phospho-MLC levels. ADMA increased endothelial permeability in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, accompanied by actin stress fiber assembly and intercellular gap formation. When HUVECs were treated with ADMA, the permeability to both macromolecular dextran and micromolecular apelin-13 increased significantly. Both p38 MAPK inhibitor and NADPH oxidase inhibitor could prevent HUVECs from the increased permeability, and the changes of cytoskeleton and intercellular junction, which were induced by ADMA. Apelin-13 passed through the ADMA-stimulated endothelial monolayer and increased the expression of phospho-MLC in VSMCs. These results suggest that ADMA increases endothelial permeability, which may involve the p38 MAPK and NADPH oxidase pathway. Apelin-13 can pass through the damaged endothelial barrier, and acts directly on VSMCs to increase MLC phosphorylation.     

Apelin-13 passes through the ADMA-damaged endothelial barrier and acts on vascular smooth muscle cells

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, is associated with vascular dysfunction. The polypeptide apelin mediates two major actions on blood vessels. However, their combined effects on vascular function are not fully understood. The present study aimed to determine the effect of apelin-13 on myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) under ADMA-induced endothelial leakage conditions. To assess the increased permeability induced by ADMA, human umbilical vein endothelium cells (HUVECs) were plated in transwell dishes. The FITC-dextran flux and FITC-apelin-13 flux through the endothelial monolayer were measured. To examine the effect of leakage of apelin-13 on MLC phosphorylation in HUVSMCs, transwell dishes were used to establish a coculture system with HUVECs in upper chambers and HUVSMCs in lower chambers. Western blot was performed to assess the phospho-MLC levels. ADMA increased endothelial permeability in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, accompanied by actin stress fiber assembly and intercellular gap formation. When HUVECs were treated with ADMA, the permeability to both macromolecular dextran and micromolecular apelin-13 increased significantly. Both p38 MAPK inhibitor and NADPH oxidase inhibitor could prevent HUVECs from the increased permeability, and the changes of cytoskeleton and intercellular junction, which were induced by ADMA. Apelin-13 passed through the ADMA-stimulated endothelial monolayer and increased the expression of phospho-MLC in VSMCs. These results suggest that ADMA increases endothelial permeability, which may involve the p38 MAPK and NADPH oxidase pathway. Apelin-13 can pass through the damaged endothelial barrier, and acts directly on VSMCs to increase MLC phosphorylation.     

Specific monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells induced by oxidized phospholipids involves activation of cPLA2 and lipoxygenase

Oxidized phospholipids stimulate endothelial cells to bind monocytes, but not neutrophils, an initiating event in atherogenesis. Here, we investigate intracellular signaling events induced by oxidized phospholipids in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) that lead to specific monocyte adhesion. In a static adhesion assay, oxidized 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine and one of its components, 1-palmitoyl-2-oxovaleroyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine, stimulated HUVECs to bind U937 cells and human peripheral blood monocytes but not HL-60 cells or blood neutrophils. Monocyte adhesion was dependent on protein kinases A and C, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, p38 mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)). Inhibition of 12-lipoxygenase (12-LOX), but not cyclooxygenases, blocked monocyte adhesion, and addition of 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) mimicked the effects of oxidized phospholipids. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) was excluded as a possible target for 12-HETE, because monocyte adhesion was still induced in endothelial cells from PPARalpha null mice. Together, our results suggest that oxidized phospholipids stimulate HUVECs to specifically bind monocytes involving MAPK pathways, which lead to the activation of cPLA(2) and 12-LOX. Further analysis of signaling pathways induced by oxidized phospholipids that lead to specific monocyte adhesion should ultimately lead to the development of novel therapeutic approaches against chronic inflammatory diseases.     

Hyperketonemia increases monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells and is mediated by LFA-1 expression in monocytes and ICAM-1 expression in endothelial cells

Frequent episodes of hyperketonemia are associated with a higher incidence of vascular disease. The objective of this study was to examine the hypothesis that hyperketonemia increases monocyte-endothelial cell (EC) adhesion and the development of vascular disease in diabetes. Human U937 and THP-1 monocyte cell lines and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured with acetoacetate (AA) (0-10 mM) or β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) (0-10 mM) for 24 h prior to evaluating adhesion and adhesion molecule expression. The results demonstrate a significant (P < 0.01) increase in both U937 and THP-1 adhesion to HUVEC monolayers treated with 4 mM AA compared with control. Equal concentrations of BHB resulted in similar increases in monocyte-EC adhesion. Similarly, treatments of AA or BHB to isolated monocytes from human blood also show increases in adhesion to endothelial cells. intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) was significantly increased on the surface of HUVECs and an increase in total protein expression with AA treatment compared with control. The expression level of lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) was increased in monocytes treated with AA, and LFA-1 affinity was altered from low to high affinity following treatment with both AA and BHB. Monocyte adhesion could be blocked when cells were preincubated with an antibody to ICAM-1 or LFA-1. Results also show a significant increase in IL-8 and MCP-1 secretion in monocytes and HUVECs treated with 0-10 mM AA. These results suggest that hyperketonemia can induce monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells and that it is mediated via increased ICAM-1 expression in endothelial cells and increased expression and affinity of LFA-1 in monocytes.     

Zinc finger protein A20 overexpression inhibits monocyte homing and protects endothelial cells from injury induced by high glucose

Diabetes mellitus causes vascular lesions and may ultimately lead to atherosclerosis. One of the earliest steps in the development of atherosclerotic lesions is the adhesion of monocytes to endothelial cells of the vessel wall. It is currently unknown whether zinc finger protein A20 is able to protect endothelial cells from injury caused by high levels of glucose and monocyte homing. In our study, adhesion of monocytes to the vessel wall endothelium was detected by measuring the rolling velocity of monocytes along human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Activation of NF-κB was analyzed through Western blot. HUVEC apoptosis was monitored by TUNEL in situ end-labeling and flow cytometry. High glucose concentrations (25 mM) stimulated monocytes, reducing the velocity at which they roll along HUVECs. Stimulation of monocytes with high levels of glucose also induced HUVEC apoptosis. Overexpression of the zinc finger protein A20 inhibited monocyte recruitment, NF-κB activation, P-selectin expression, and HUVEC apoptosis induced by high glucose levels. We conclude that zinc finger protein A20 can protect HUVECs from injury induced by high levels of glucose and potentially could be used to develop treatments against diabetic vascular lesions.     

Carbon Black Nanoparticles Promote Endothelial Activation and Lipid Accumulation in Macrophages Independently of Intracellular ROS Production

Exposure to nanoparticles (NPs) may cause vascular effects including endothelial dysfunction and foam cell formation, with oxidative stress and inflammation as supposed central mechanisms. We investigated oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction and lipid accumulation caused by nano-sized carbon black (CB) exposure in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), THP-1 (monocytes) and THP-1 derived macrophages (THP-1a). The proliferation of HUVECs or co-cultures of HUVECs and THP-1 cells were unaffected by CB exposure, whereas there was increased cytotoxicity, assessed by the LDH and WST-1 assays, especially in THP-1 and THP-1a cells. The CB exposure decreased the glutathione (GSH) content in THP-1 and THP-1a cells, whereas GSH was increased in HUVECs. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was increased in all cell types after CB exposure. A reduction of the intracellular GSH concentration by buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) pre-treatment further increased the CB-induced ROS production in THP-1 cells and HUVECs. The expression of adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, but not adhesion of THP-1 to HUVECs or culture dishes, was elevated by CB exposure, whereas these effects were unaffected by BSO pre-treatment. qRT-PCR showed increased VCAM1 expression, but no change in GCLM and HMOX1 expression in CB-exposed HUVECs. Pre-exposure to CB induced lipid accumulation in THP-1a cells, which was not affected by the presence of the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine. In addition, the concentrations of CB to induce lipid accumulation were lower than the concentrations to promote intracellular ROS production in THP-1a cells. In conclusion, exposure to nano-sized CB induced endothelial dysfunction and foam cell formation, which was not dependent on intracellular ROS production.     

Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule‐1 (PECAM1) plays a critical role in the maintenance of human vascular endothelial barrier function

Cardiovascular endothelial barrier dysfunction is associated with a number of cardiovascular diseases. This study aims to investigate the role of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule‐1 (PECAM1) in the maintenance of the vascular endothelial barrier integrate. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured into monolayers using as an in vitro model to assess the endothelial barrier function. Knockdown of the gene of PECAM1 markedly reduced the transendothelial resistance and increased the permeability of the HUVEC monolayers. From the wild HUVECs, we detected a complex of PECAM1, claudin1, occluding and endothelial cell selective adhesion molecule (ESAM); such a complex was not detected in the PECAM1‐deficient HUVECs. Knockdown of either claudin1, or occludin, or ESAM, did not affect the formation of the tight junction (TJ) complex. Exposure to recombinant interleukin (IL)‐13 inhibited the expression of PECAM1 and down‐regulated the HUVEC monolayer barrier function. PECAM1 plays an important role in the formation of TJ complex. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Resistin induces monocyte-endothelial cell adhesion by increasing ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression in endothelial cells via p38MAPK-dependent pathway

Resistin, firstly reported as an adipocyte-specific hormone, is suggested to be an important link between obesity and diabetes. Recent studies have suggested an association between resistin and atherogenic processes. The adhesion of circulating monocytes to endothelial cells is a critical step in the early stages of atherosclerosis. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of resistin on the adhesion of THP-1 monocytes to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the underlying mechanism. Our results showed that resistin caused a significant increase in monocyte adhesion. In exploring the underlying mechanisms of resistin action, we found that resistin-induced monocyte adhesion was blocked by inhibition of p38MAPK activation using SB203580 and SB202190. Furthermore, resistin increased the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) by HUVECs and these effects were also p38MAPK-dependent. Resistin-induced monocyte adhesion was also blocked by monoclonal antibodies against ICAM-1 and VCAM-1. Taken together, these results show that resistin increases both the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 by endothelial cells and monocyte adhesion to HUVECs via p38MAPK-dependent pathways.     

Activation of ganglioside GM3 biosynthesis in human blood mononuclear cells in atherosclerosis

Using blood monocytes and lymphocytes from atherosclerotic patients and healthy subjects we have investigated a role of ganglioside GM3 in monocyte adhesion to cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The results showed that activity of GM3 synthase and cellular levels of ganglioside GM3 in blood mononuclear cells from atherosclerotic patients were several-fold higher than those from healthy subjects. In monocytes the activity of GM3 synthase was one order of magnitude higher than in lymphocytes from both groups studied; this suggests the major contribution of monocytes to enhanced biosynthesis and levels of GM3 in mononuclear cells in atherosclerosis. Enrichment of monocytes from healthy subjects with ganglioside GM3 by their incubation in the medium containing this ganglioside increased adhesion of these monocytes to HUVEC up to the level typical for monocytes from atherosclerotic patients. In addition, an increase in CD11b integrin expression comparable to that seen in lipopolysaccharide-activated monocytes was observed. It is suggested that in atherosclerosis the enhanced cellular levels of GM3 in monocytes and lymphocytes may be an important element of cell activation that facilitates their adhesion to endothelial cells and penetration into intima.     

Inhibition effects of gold nanoparticles on proliferation and migration in hepatic carcinoma-conditioned HUVECs

Tumor angiogenesis is a complicated process based upon a sequence of interactions between tumor and vessel endothelial cells. Tumor conditioned medium has been widely used to stimulate endothelial cells in vitro angiogenesis. This work was aimed to investigate the effects of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) on angiogenesis in hepatic carcinoma-conditioned endothelial cells. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured with conditioned medium (CM) from the human hepatocarcinoma cell line HepG2 (HepG2-CM), and then treated with different concentrations of GNPs. The effects of GNPs on the viability, migration and active VEGF level of HUVECs were investigated by MTT assay, wound healing assay and transwell chamber assay, and ELISA assay, respectively. The data showed that GNPs significantly inhibited HUVECs proliferation and migration induced by HepG2-CM, and also reduced the levels of active VEGF in the co-culture system. Then, the alterations in morphology and ultrastructure of HUVECs detected by atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed that there appeared obvious pseudopodia, larger membrane particle sizes and much rougher surface in HUVECs after HepG2-CM treatment, which were all reversed after GNPs treatment. Changes in cytoskeleton of HUVECs determined by immunocytochemistry demonstrated that GNPs treatment remarkably inhibited the activation effect of HepG2-CM on HUVECs, which was associated with the disruption of actin filaments induced by GNPs. This study indicates that GNPs can significantly inhibit HepG2-CM activated endothelial cell proliferation and migration through down-regulation of VEGF activity and disruption of cell morphology, revealing the potential applications of GNPs as antiangiogenic agent for the treatment of hepatic carcinoma.