血管紧张素Ⅱ促进内皮细胞凋亡和NOX4表达

目的分析高浓度血管紧张素Ⅱ（AngⅡ）刺激人脐静脉内皮细胞（HUVECs）时细胞内活性氧（ROS）、NOX4mRNA水平和细胞凋亡的变化。方法倒置显微镜下观察人脐静脉内皮细胞形态;免疫组化法检测人脐静脉内皮细胞Ⅷ因子相关抗原的表达;RT—PCR检测HUVECs中NOX4的表达;流式细胞仪检测各组细胞内ROS生成量和细胞凋亡率,Hoechst染色分析细胞凋亡。结果高AngⅡ刺激HUVECs时,NOX4mRNA表达上调,细胞内ROS生成增加,细胞凋亡增加。结论高AngⅡ上调HUVCEs内NOX4mR—NA表达并促进细胞内ROS生成和细胞凋亡。     

牡砺糖胺聚糖对血管内皮细胞损伤的保护作用研究

目的：探讨牡蛎糖胺聚糖（O—GAG）对血管内皮细胞损伤的保护作用,观察它对损伤的血管内皮细胞内一氧化氮（NO）、丙二醛（iDA）含量及乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）活性的影响。方法：采用人脐静脉内皮细胞株ECV304体外培养的方法,建立过氧化氢（H2O2）诱导的内皮细胞损伤模型,噻唑蓝（MTT）比色法观察牡蛎糖胺聚糖对血管内皮细胞增殖活性的影响,硝酸还原酶法、硫代巴比妥酸法和硝基苯肼法分别检测细胞内NO的含量、细胞培养液内MDA的含量和LDH的活性。结果：模型组较正常对照组细胞增殖活性明显降低（P〈0．01）。与模型组相比,经牡蛎糖胺聚糖预处理的各保护组（除10μg／ml）细胞增殖活性明显增加（P〈0．05,P〈0．01）,NO的含量增加,MDA的含量和LDH的活性降低（P〈0．01）。牡蛎糖胺聚糖（100、200μg／ml）对于正常的内皮细胞有促增殖作用（P〈0．05）。结论：牡蛎糖胺聚糖对氧化损伤的血管内皮细胞具有保护作用,其作用机制可能与增加细胞NO含量、减少MDA生成和LDH释放有关。牡蛎糖胺聚糖对正常血管内皮细胞在一定剂量范围内有促增殖作用．     

褪黑素对脂多糖诱导血管内皮细胞损伤的保护机制研究

目的：研究褪黑素（melatonin,MLT）对人脐静脉内皮细胞（HUVECs）损伤的保护作用及其机制探讨。方法：不同浓度的褪黑素作用于体外培养的内皮细胞脂质过氧化损伤模型,实验分为5组,即正常对照组（Ctrl）,脂多糖（LPS）氧化损伤组：在培养基中加入2mmol／L的LPS诱导损伤4h;LPS加MLT低剂量（200t~mol／L）组、中剂量（400ixmol／L）组、高剂量（600txmol／L）gai。采用MTT法观察MET对HUVECs活性的影响;用双波长荧光分光光度法测定HUVECs细胞内游离钙离子浓度;检测各组内皮细胞匀浆中丙二醛（MDA）含量及超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶（GSH·Px）活性;用ELISA法测定培养的细胞上清液中白细胞介素6（IL．6）表达的变化;并测定细胞凋亡率。结果：①LPS作用后血管内皮细胞损伤明显,细胞增殖减少,细胞培养上清液和细胞匀浆中MDA含量、细胞内钙离子浓度和IL．6均升高,SOD、GSH-Px活性下降,凋亡率可达38．9±1．1％,均与正常对照组有统计学差异（P〈0．01）;②加入MET可明显减轻LPS对抗氧化酶SOD、GSH—Px的影响,同时MDA含量、细胞内钙离子浓度和几一6均明显下降,并显著减少凋亡细胞数量,各指标差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。结论：褪黑素可保护和修复LPS引起的血管内皮细胞损伤,其作用途径可能与保护细胞的线粒体,提高了该细胞的抗氧化酶活性,降低细胞内钙离子浓度作用有关。     

脂联素抑制t-BHP诱导的内皮细胞凋亡作用及其可能机制探讨

目的：探讨重组脂联素对第三丁基过氧化氢（t-BHP）诱导的人脐静脉内皮细胞（HUVECs）凋亡的影响及其相关的分子机制。方法：以HUVECs作为研究对象,给予t-BHP处理,模拟体外HUVECs氧化损伤细胞凋亡模型。在此基础上,用携带重组脂联素基因的腺病毒转染HUVECs,观察重组脂联素对t-BHP诱导的HUVECs凋亡的影响。用MTT法检测细胞增殖活力。Hochest/PI荧光染色检测细胞凋亡率。Western blot检测细胞凋亡相关蛋白p-JNK、JNK和Caspase 3表达水平的变化。结果：100 μmol/L的t-BHP作用8 h可诱导HUVECs发生凋亡。与对照组相比,t-BHP组p-JNK、active caspase 3表达增多（P<0.01）。HUVECs高表达重组脂联素基因后,可明显抑制t-BHP诱导的HUVECs凋亡（P<0.01）,下调t-BHP诱导的p-JNK、active caspase 3表达。结论：持续t-BHP氧化损伤可诱导HUVECs发生凋亡。重组脂联素可有效抑制t-BHP诱导的HUVECs凋亡,其机制与p-JNK、active caspase 3的表达下调有关。     

Rac1蛋白活化加速缺氧诱导的人血管内皮细胞衰老

为阐明Rac1蛋白在人脐静脉内皮细胞（human umbilical vein endothelial cells,HUVECs）衰老中的作用及分子机制,我们采用持续缺氧的方法诱导内皮细胞衰老,检测缺氧前后内皮细胞衰老标志基因SA-β-Gal和PAI-1的表达、细胞周期分布和细胞增殖情况,同时分析缺氧前后细胞内Rac1蛋白的表达.结果显示,持续缺氧96 h后,HUVECs体积变大,细胞浆内颗粒和空泡增多,SA-β-Gal活性明显增加,PAI-1基因表达升高,细胞发生G1期阻滞,细胞增殖受抑,活化型Rac1蛋白表达上调,提示持续缺氧诱导的内皮细胞衰老可能与Rac1蛋白的活化有关.为进一步明确内皮细胞衰老与Rac1蛋白的关系,应用逆转录病毒将持续活化型Rac1（V12Rac1）和主导抑制型Rac1（N17Rac1）基因分别瞬时感染HUVECs,比较三种HUVECs（HUVECs,V12Rac1-HUVECs,N17Rac1-HUVECs）缺氧后的衰老变化,并分析其下游调控分子--血清反应因子（serum response factor,SRF）的表达和定位变化.研究发现,缺氧培养V12Rac1-HUVECs 48 h即可引起细胞衰老,表现为SA-β-Gal活性明显增加,PAI-1基因表达升高,细胞出现明显的G1期阻滞并且细胞增殖受抑,其改变与缺氧96 h的HUVECs相似;而N17Rac1明显抑制缺氧引起的内皮细胞衰老发生.上述结果说明,Rac1蛋白活化可以加速缺氧诱导的内皮细胞衰老,而抑制Rac1蛋白的活性则可抑制缺氧诱导的内皮细胞衰老.为进一步研究Rac1蛋白引起内皮细胞衰老的机制,通过免疫荧光染色及Western blot分析检测三种细胞缺氧处理后SRF的表达,发现：与HUVECs细胞比较,V12Rac1引起缺氧48 h HUVECs核蛋白中SRF的表达明显下降,SRF入核转位受到明显抑制;而N17Rac1感染后,缺氧HUVECs细胞核蛋白中SRF表达明显增多.上述结果提示：缺氧状态下Rac1蛋白活化能够明显加速HUVECs衰老,而抑制Rac1蛋白活性则明显抑制缺氧诱导的HUVECs衰老,SRF蛋白的核转位活化参与了Rac1蛋白调控HUVECs衰老的发生.     

人参皂甙Rg1抗OxLDL诱导内皮细胞凋亡及分子机制

目的 探讨人参皂甙Rg1抑制氧化低密度脂蛋白（oxidized low-density lipoprotein,OxLDL)诱导血管内皮细胞凋亡的作用及其相关分子机制。方法 以体外培养的牛主动脉内皮细胞为模型。分别加入OxLDL200μg/ml(OxLDL组）和OxLDL200μg/ml Rg140μg/ml（Rg1组）;对照组不加任何诱导物,培养24小时后观察细胞形态变化,DNA电泳,TUNEL染色检测细胞有无凋亡及凋亡的程度,Western blot分析各组内皮细胞型一氧化氮合酶（endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase,eNOS)的表达水平。结果 （1）对照组和OxLDL组血管内皮细胞凋亡比例分别为8%和41.35%;(2)Rg1组血管内皮细胞凋亡比例为13.29%;(3)OxLDL抑制牛主动脉内皮细胞的eNOS表达水平,此抑制作用具有剂量依赖性。人参皂甙Rg1可使被OxLDL抑制的eNOS表达水平回升。结论 （1）OxLDL能诱导血管内皮细胞凋亡。（2）人参皂甙Rg1能抑制OxLDL诱导的血管内皮细胞凋亡。（3）此作用可能与上调内皮细胞的eNOS水平,减轻细胞的脂质过氧化损伤有关。     

白藜芦醇预处理对人鼠脑缺血再灌损伤的保护作用

目的:探讨白藜芦醇预处理对大鼠脑缺血再灌损伤的保护作用及其分子机制.方法:大鼠随机分成假手术组、缺血溶剂组、白藜芦醇预处理组,四动脉阻塞(4-VO)法建立前脑缺血模型,缺血10min/再灌22h,试剂盒检测大鼠海马组织SOD活力及NO、MDA含量变化,RT-PCR法观察GRP78 mRNA的表达.结果:缺血溶剂组海马组织SOD活性明显低于假手术组,NO、MDA含量高于假手术组;缺血前白藜芦醇预处理能显著反转缺血诱导的SOD活力和NO、MDA水平变化,脑缺血能明显上调GRP78 mRNA水平;白藜芦醇预处理能有效抑制缺血诱导的GRP78表达,与缺血组比有显著性差异.结论:白藜芦醇能通过上调SOD活力,减少NO、MDA的生成来抑制缺血后自由基的生成和积累,继而缓解内质网应激、下调GRP78的表达,减轻缺血性脑组织损伤.     

lncRNA PVT1沉默对高糖诱导的血管内皮细胞增殖、凋亡及氧化应激的影响*

目的: 探讨抑制lncRNA PVT1对高糖诱导的血管内皮细胞的增殖,凋亡和氧化应激的影响。方法: 体外培养人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVECs),分为四组:对照组(5.5 mmol/L葡萄糖),高糖组(30 mmol/L葡萄糖),高糖+siNC组(30 mmol/L葡萄糖+siNC,细胞转染阴性对照组),高糖+siPVT1组(30 mmol/L葡萄糖+siPVT1,抑制lncRNA PVT1组)。采用荧光定量PCR的方法检测转染后PVT1的表达水平。MTT检测siPVT1(短片段干扰RNA PVT1)对高糖诱导的HUVECs细胞增殖能力的影响。流式细胞术检测siPVT1对高糖诱导的HUVECs细胞ROS和凋亡水平。Western blot检测HUVECs细胞中凋亡相关蛋白如Bax,Bcl-2和cleaved-caspase-3的表达水平。结果: 与对照组比较,转染siPVT1后,PVT1的表达水平显著降低(P＜0.05)。MTT结果显示,与对照组比较,培养24 h和48 h后高糖组中HUVECs细胞增殖活力均显著降低,与高糖+siNC组(阴性对照组)比较,培养24 h和48 h后,高糖+siPVT1组中的HUVECs细胞增殖活力显著增加(P＜0.05)。流式细胞术检测结果表明,与对照组比较,高糖组HUVECs细胞中ROS和凋亡率均显著增加;和高糖+siNC组比较,高糖+siPVT1组中HUVECs细胞中ROS和凋亡率均有减少(P＜0.05)。Western blot结果表明,与对照组比较,高糖组中cleaved-caspase-3和Bax表达水平均显著上调,Bcl-2的表达水平显著下调(P＜0.05,P＜0.01)。与高糖+siNC组比较,高糖+siPVT1组cleaved-caspase-3和Bax表达水平显著下调,Bcl-2的表达显著上调(P＜0.05,P＜0.01)。结论: 抑制lncRNA PVT1可以显著增加高糖诱导的HUVECs细胞增殖活力,减轻氧化应激,抑制细胞凋亡。     

过表达CREG抑制高糖诱导的人脐静脉内皮细胞凋亡

目的：探讨E1A激活基因阻遏子（Cellular repressor of ElA-stimulated genes,CREG）在高糖引起的人脐静脉内皮细胞（Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells,HUVECs）损伤中的作用,为寻找糖尿病血管病变新的治疗靶点提供实验依据。方法：采用胶原酶消化法分离原代HUVECs,并用内皮细胞标志物CD31免疫荧光染色进行鉴定。分别用含有5．5mmol／1葡萄糖（正常糖对照组）、5．5mmol／1葡萄糖＋27．5mmol／1甘露醇（渗透压对照组）或33mmol／l葡萄糖（高糖组）的培养液培养HUVECs48h。WesternBlot检测剪切体caspase-3表达;AnnexinV／PI双染后流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡。通过感染表达CREG基因的腺病毒获得CREG过表达的HUvECs,WesternBlot及流式细胞术评价CREG过表达对HUVECs凋亡的影响。结果：高糖处理48h后,HUVECs内剪切体caspase-3的蛋白表达增加,细胞凋亡率增加;过表达CREG后,高糖处理的HUVECs内剪切体Caspase-3表达和凋亡细胞比例均明显降低,但仍高于正常糖对照组。结论：CREG过表达可抑制高糖引起的HUVECs凋亡。     

二苯乙烯苷对H202诱导血管内皮细胞ICAM-1及VCAM-1表达的影响

目的：通过研究二苯乙烯苷（TSG）对H20：诱导的人脐静脉内皮细胞ICAM-1、VCAM-1表达的影响,探明二苯乙烯苷抗氧化保护内皮细胞的作用机制。方法：体外培养人脐静脉内皮细胞,实验分为空白对照组、H20：组、辛伐他汀组、TSG组,运用逆转录聚合酶链式反应和酶联免疫吸附试验分别检测ICAM-1及VCAM-1mRNA与其蛋白的表达。结果：200μmol·L。的H202作用内皮细胞24h后。ICAM．1和VCAM-1的mRNA和蛋白表达水平均明显上调,与空白对照组比较,差异有显著性（P〈0．01）。而在200μmol·L。的H202作用前用1μmol·L^-1二苯乙烯苷预处理体外培养人脐静脉内皮细胞4h,结果显示二苯乙烯苷能抑制H2O2诱导的内皮细胞ICAM-1、VCAM-1的mRNA和VCAM-1的蛋白水平表达,与H2O2组比较差异有显著性（P〈0．01）;而ICAM-1的蛋白表达水平与H202组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;辛伐他汀组ICAM-1和VCAM-1的mRNA及其蛋白水平表达降低,与H20：组比较差异均有显著性（P〈0．01）。实验结果表明二苯乙烯苷可抑制H2O2诱导的内皮细胞粘附分子ICAM-1、VCAM-1表达。结论：二苯乙烯苷可通过降低细胞粘附分子ICAM-1和VCAM-1的表达保护氧化应激引起的人脐静脉内皮细胞损伤。     

Nitric oxide prevents apoptosis of human endothelial cells from high glucose exposure during early stage.

Hyperglycemia is a major cause of diabetic vascular disease. High glucose can induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) generation, which can subsequently induce endothelial dysfunction. High glucose is also capable of triggering endothelial cell apoptosis. Little is known about the molecular mechanisms and the role of ROS and NO in high glucose-induced endothelial cell apoptosis. This study was designed to determine the involvement of ROS and NO in high glucose-induced endothelial cell apoptosis. Expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) protein and apoptosis were studied in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) exposed to control-level (5.5 mM) and high-level (33 mM) glucose at various periods (e.g., 2, 12, 24, 48 h). We also examined the effect of high glucose on H(2)O(2) production using flow cytometry. The results showed that eNOS protein expression was up-regulated by high glucose exposure for 2-6 h and gradually reduced after longer exposure in HUVECs. H(2)O(2) production and apoptosis, which can be reversed by vitamin C and NO donor (sodium nitroprusside), but enhanced by NOS inhibitor (N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ether), were collated to a different time course (24-48 h) to HUVECs. These results provide the molecular basis for understanding that NO plays a protective role from apoptosis of HUVECs during the early stage (<24 h) of high glucose exposure, but in the late stage (>24 h), high glucose exposure leads to the imbalance of NO and ROS, resulting to the observed apoptosis. This may explain, at least in part, the impaired endothelial function and vascular complication of diabetic mellitus that would occur at late stages.     

番茄红素对血管内皮细胞氧化应激损伤的作用及机制研究

目的:观察番茄红素(lycopene,LYC)对于血管内皮细胞功能的作用,探讨其作用机制。方法:人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVECs)处理实验分组:对照组,H2O2组,H2O2+LYC组(1、2、4、8μmolL-1)。MTT法检测HUVECs存活率;免疫印迹法(Western blot)检测p38MAPK蛋白磷酸化水平、抗凋亡蛋白B淋巴细胞/白血病-2(bcl-2)及线粒体凋亡通路相关蛋白bax的表达;细胞黏附能力测定和伤口愈合实验检测HUVECs粘附率和迁移率;TUNEL法检测HUVECs凋亡率;ELASA法测定HUVECs内活性氧(ROS),超氧化物歧化酶(SOD),乳酸盐脱氢酶(LDH)释放量和caspase-3的活性。结果:H2O2损伤后HUVECs存活率显著降低(P0.01),凋亡率显著增加(P0.01),黏附和迁移能力显著降低(P0.01),bax和p-p38MAPK的表达上调,bcl-2的表达下调,并且ROS、LDH的释放和caspase-3的活性增加(P0.01),SOD的释放减少。而LYC的预处理可以明显逆转H2O2以上作用。结论:H2O2氧化应激损伤中,LYC保护内皮细胞可能与其抗过氧化损伤细胞凋亡,抑制异常的p38MAPK信号通路有关。     

Martentoxin对TNF-α引起脐静脉内皮细胞释放一氧化氮的影响

目的：研究东亚钳蝎毒素Martentoxin对脐静脉内皮细胞释放NO的影响。方法：人脐带经胶原酶消化分离后获得脐静脉内皮细胞,经抗血管性血友病8因子鉴定后,用TNF-α建立NO释放模型,观察Martentoxin对脐静脉内皮细胞释放NO的影响。结果：①经6,12,24h作用后,10μM、100μM Martentoxin能降低TNF-α引起的NO释放增加（P〈0．05）。②Martentoxin降低TNF-α引起的iNOS活性增强并对TNF—α引起的内皮源性一氧化氮合酶mRNA下调具有一定保护作用（P〈0．05）。结论：Martentoxin抑制TNF-α引起的脐静脉内皮细胞释放NO增加。     

肢体缺血预适应的肝保护作用与一氧化氮／内皮素-1系统关系的研究

目的：观察肢体缺血／再灌注（I／R）后一氧化氮／内皮素-1（NO／ET-1）失衡与肝损伤的关系以及缺血预适应（1pc）对NO／ET-1系统的调节作用。方法：实验用雄性Wistar大鼠18只,随机分为3组（n=6）：对照组（control）、缺血／再灌注组（I／R）和缺血预适应组（IPC＋I／R）,分别测定血浆谷草转氨酶（ALT）、谷丙转氨酶（AST）;血浆和肝组织一氧化氮（NO）、内皮素-1（ET-I）的含量变化,一氧化氮／内皮素-1（NO／ET-1）比值及肝组织的总一氧化氮合酶（tNOS）、诱导型一氧化氮合酶（iNOS）、结构型一氧化氮合酶（cNOS）的水平;免疫组化法检测肝组织的诱导型一氧化氮舍酶（iNOS）、内皮型一氧化氮合酶（eNOS）的表达;HE染色,在光学显微镜下观察肝组织的形态学改变。结果：发现肢体再灌注期血浆和肝组织NO、ET-1均明显增加,而NO／ET-1的比值却明显降低,同时血浆ALT、AST升高,光学显微镜下肝细胞、内皮细胞肿胀,肝细胞变性及肝窦淤血,炎性细胞浸润,肝损伤加重,肢体I／R后肝组织iNOS的表达增强,而eNOS（主要为eNOS）的表达减少,伴有总NOS活性增强。说明肢体缺血再灌注后肝组织内皮源的NO产生减少,而非内皮源的NO产生增多;IPC减轻了肢体I／R后引起的NO／ET-1失衡。结论：肢体I／R后肝组织损伤与NO／ET-1失衡有关,IPC对肢体I／R继发的肝组织损伤的保护作用可能是通过对NO／ET-1系统的调节作用而介导的,此时内皮源的NO产生增加,非内皮源的NO产生减少。     

Gastrodin prevents homocysteine-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells injury via PI3K/Akt/eNOS and Nrf2/ARE pathway

In this study, we investigated the protective effects of gastrodin (Gas) against homocysteine-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) injury and the role of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/threonine kinase 1 (Akt)/endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) pathways. We stimulated cells with homocysteine (1 mmol/L, 24 hours) and tested the effects of gastrodin (200-800 μg/mL) on cell viability and the production of malondialdehyde (MDA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Then, Nrf2 distribution in the cytoplasm and nucleus as well as the expression of enzymes downstream of Nrf2 was determined. Furthermore, we analysed the expression of bax, bcl-2 and cleaved caspase3, and assessed the involvement of the PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway by Western blots. Finally, we tested the vasoactive effect of gastrodin in thoracic aortic rings. The results showed that gastrodin decreased MDA, LDH and ROS production and increased cell viability, NO production and relaxation of thoracic aortic rings. Moreover, the protective effects of Gas on NO production and relaxation of thoracic aortic rings were blocked by L-NAME but enhanced by Cav-1 knockdown, and MK-2206 treatment abolished the effect of Gas on the ROS. In addition, treatment with gastrodin increased Nrf2 nuclear translocation, thus enhancing the expression of downstream enzymes. Finally, gastrodin increased the expression of PI3K, p-Akt, and eNOS and decreased Cav-1 protein expression. In conclusion, our study suggested that gastrodin may protect HUVECs from homocysteine-induced injury, and the PI3K/Akt/eNOS and Nrf2/ARE pathways may be responsible for the efficacy of gastrodin.     

Discovery of a benzoxazine derivative promoting angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo

Angiogenesis is a multi‐step process that refers to the growth of new vessels from pre‐existing ones. Endothelial proliferation, migration, and tube formation constitute a critical step in angiogenesis. Recently, we demonstrated that a novel benzoxazine derivative, 6‐amino‐2,3‐dihydro‐3‐hydroxymethyl‐1,4‐benzoxazine (ABO) could improve the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) without basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and serum. In this study, we further tested its effect on endothelial angiogenesis with Matrigel assay, migration assay, and in vivo chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. Our results showed that ABO effectively facilitated cell migration and promoted capillary‐like tube formation in vitro and in vivo. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, we examined intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, nitric oxide (NO) level/endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Our data indicated that ABO depressed ROS with inhibition of NADPH oxidase instead of SOD activity, stimulated NO production and eNOS activation, and restored MMP in HUVECs. Our findings suggest that ABO is a promising tool for exploring the mechanisms of angiogenesis and may have a therapeutic potential in ischemic pathologies. J. Cell. Physiol. 223: 202–208, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Up-regulation of the association between heat shock protein 90 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase prevents high glucose-induced apoptosis in human endothelial cells

Hyperglycemia is the hallmark of diabetes mellitus. Poor glycemic control is correlated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. High glucose can trigger endothelial cell apoptosis by de-activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). eNOS was recently demonstrated to be extensively regulated by Akt and heat shock protein 90 (HSP90). Yet, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that regulate eNOS activity during high glucose exposure. The present study was designed to determine the involvement of protein interactions between eNOS and HSP90 in high glucose-induced endothelial cell apoptosis. The protein interaction of eNOS/HSP90 and eNOS/Akt were studied in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) exposed to either control-level (5.5 mM) or high-level (33 mM) glucose for different durations (2, 4, 6, and 24 h). The results showed that the protein interactions between eNOS and HSP90 and between eNOS and Akt and the phosphorylation of eNOS were up-regulated by high glucose exposure for 2-4 h. With longer exposures, these effects decreased gradually. During early hours of exposure, the protein interactions of eNOS/HSP90 and eNOS/Akt and the phosphorylation of eNOS were all inhibited by geldanamycin, an HSP90 inhibitor. High glucose-induced endothelial cell apoptosis was also enhanced by geldanamycin and was reversed by NO donors. LY294002, a phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI3) kinase inhibitor, inhibited the association of eNOS/Akt and the phosphorylation of eNOS but had no effect on the interaction between eNOS and HSP90 during early hours of exposure. From our results we propose that, in HUVECs, during early phase of high glucose exposure, apoptosis can be prevented by enhancement of eNOS activity through augmentation of the protein interaction between eNOS and HSP90 and recruitment of the activated Akt. With longer exposure, dysregulation of eNOS activity would result in apoptosis. The present study provides a molecular basis for the effects of eNOS in the prevention of endothelial cells apoptosis during early phase of high glucose exposure. These observations may contribute to the understanding of the pathogenesis of vascular complications in diabetes mellitus.