阿托伐他汀对人肾小球系膜细胞增殖、TGF-β1mRNA和p38MAPK表达的影响

目的观察阿托伐他汀(atorv)对氧化低密度脂蛋白(ox-LDL)诱导的人肾小球系膜细胞(HGMCs)增殖和转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)mRNA及丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(p38MAPK)蛋白表达的影响。方法在体外培养HG-MCs,用MTT法检测细胞增殖,用半定量RT-PCR法检测细胞TGF-β1 mRNA表达,用Western blot法检测细胞p38MAPK蛋白合成。结果1.Ox-LDL(80μg/ml)刺激系膜细胞增殖;2.Ox-LDL(10μg/ml-80μg/ml)以浓度依赖的方式增加HGMCs TGF-β1 mRNA和p38MAPK蛋白表达,3.Atovastatin(6μg-12μg/ml)抑制系膜细胞增殖,降低ox-LDL引起的TGF-β1 mRNA表达上调,抑制p38MAPK信号途径激活。结论阿托伐他汀可能通过对抗p38MAPK信号通路,减少TGFβ1分泌,抑制ox-LDL引起的肾小球系膜细胞增殖,预防和治疗伴有血脂异常的糖尿病肾脏病变。     

LOX-1特异性小发夹RNA 表达载体的构建及其对巨噬细胞源性泡沫细胞形成的影响

[摘　要]　目的：靶向血凝素样氧化型低密度脂蛋白受体-1基因的发卡样siRNA(shRNA)表达载体及其对巨噬细胞源性泡沫细胞形成的影响。方法：(1)采用DNA重组技术,将LOX-1 shRNA双链与线性化pGenesil-1质粒表达载体连接,脂质体法转染小鼠单核巨噬细胞（RAW264.7）,半定量逆转录聚合酶链反应法检测LOX-1 mRNA的表达,Western blot法检测LOX-1蛋白的表达。(2) Ox-LDL诱导巨噬细胞建立泡沫细胞模型, LOX-1-shRNA进行干预,干预组使用脂质体法进行细胞转染,转染24小时后,再加入Ox-LDL作用24小时,用油红O染色法及细胞内游离胆固醇及总胆固醇测定法观察对泡沫细胞形成的影响,倒置荧光显微镜观察转染LOX-1 shRNA后RAW264.7细胞对Dil-ox-LDL的摄取率。结果：测序鉴定发现插入的发卡样序列正确,成功合成了发卡样LOX-1基因RNA干扰表达载体;靶向LOX-1基因的发卡样shRNA表达载体转染RAW264.7细胞后,其LOX-1基因和蛋白表达显著下调, 同时可抑制巨噬细胞源性泡沫细胞形成及对Dil-ox-LDL的摄取。结论：成功构建了能有效抑制LOX-1 mRNA表达的发卡样LOX-1基因RNA干扰表达载体,并在一定程度上能抑制巨噬细胞源性泡沫细胞的形成,为进一步利用RNA干扰技术防治动脉粥样硬化提供理论基础。     

LOX-1在D-葡萄糖诱导人肾小球系膜细胞表达TGF-β1中的作用

目的探讨血凝素样氧化低密度脂蛋白受体1（LOX-1）在D-葡萄糖诱导人肾小球系膜细胞表达转化生长因子β1（TGF-β1）中的作用。方法在体外培养人肾小球系膜细胞,在不同时间加入不同浓度的D-葡萄及LOX-1特异性阻滞剂JTX92,用半定量RT-PCR法检测LOX-1和TGF-β1基因表达的相对含量,用Western blot法检测p38 MAPK蛋白质的相对含量,用酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）检测细胞培养液中TGF-β1浓度。结果D-葡萄糖以时间和浓度依赖的方式增加细胞内LOX-1和TGF-β1 mRNA表达和培养液中TGF-β1浓度,同时也以时间和浓度依赖的方式增加p38 MAPK的表达,JTX92可以明显抑制LOX-1、TGF-β1和p38 MAPK的表达。结论高浓度D-葡萄糖可能通过上调LOX-1的表达,激活细胞内的p38 MAPK信号传递途径,促使人肾小球系膜细胞合成并分泌大量TGF-β1,参与糖尿病肾病的发生发展。     

IFITM3在脓毒症模型及胆碱能抗炎模型中的表达

目的:探讨干扰素诱导的跨膜转运蛋白3(IFITM3)在LPS刺激的RAW264.7细胞系的脓毒症模型中的表达以及胆碱能抗炎模型中的表达。方法:用1μg/mL LPS刺激RAW264.7细胞24、48、72 h后,用Western-Blot法检测各组细胞IFITM3蛋白表达水平。用1μg/mL LPS刺激RAW264.7细胞后,给予50μM胆碱能受体激动剂GTS-21以及同时给予100 n M胆碱能受体拮抗剂α-BGT刺激细胞24 h后,用Western-Blot法检测各组细胞IFITM3蛋白表达水平。用ELISA法检测IL-1β的方法验证脓毒症模型和胆碱能抗炎模型的建立。结果:(1)1μg/mL LPS刺激RAW264.7细胞后,IFITM3蛋白表达明显降低(P0.01)。(2)1μg/mL LPS刺激RAW264.7细胞后再给予50μM GTS-21,IFITM3蛋白表达明显升高(P0.001);而给予100 nMα-BGT后,IFITM3蛋白表达明显降低(P0.001)。结论:LPS刺激的RAW264.7细胞IFITM3蛋白表达降低。给予胆碱能激动剂GTS-21后能够逆转LPS诱导的IFITM3表达的降低,给予胆碱能受体拮抗剂α-BGT则能阻断这种现象。IFITM3有可能在脓毒症中发挥保护作用,并且参与了胆碱能抗炎通路抗炎过程的调节。     

LOX-1过表达诱发H9C2心肌细胞肥大

目的:构建携带过表达大鼠凝集素样氧化低密度脂蛋白受体-1(LOX-1)基因的慢病毒载体,研究LOX-1与心肌细胞肥大的关系。方法:构建大鼠LOX-1基因pHIV-LOX-1过表达质粒,与包装质粒psPAX2、pMD2G共转染293T细胞,检测其侵染效率。包装慢病毒并侵染H9C2心肌细胞,72 h后观察其侵染效率。qPCR法检测细胞LOX-1表达。检测过表达LOX-1后心肌细胞面积及其蛋白含量变化。结果:成功构建过表达LOX-1 H9C2心肌细胞。过表达LOX-1组(Lv.LOX-1+)心肌细胞面积(16691.890±1022.368μm2)较对照组(Lv.NC)(3459.865±343.175μm2)显著增加(P0.001)。Lv.LOX-1+组心肌细胞蛋白含量(132.457±8.188 pg/cell)较Lv.NC组(45.095±1.655 pg/cell)显著增加(P0.001)。结论:LOX-1过表达能诱导H9C2心肌细胞肥大。     

人肾小球血管内皮细胞胰岛素抵抗模型的建立

目的:采用不同浓度的棕榈酸与葡萄糖在体外诱导建立人肾小球内皮细胞(Human glomerular endothelial cells,HRGEC)胰岛素抵抗模型。方法:以人肾小球内皮细胞为研究对象,不同浓度棕榈酸(100,200,300,400,500μmol/L)与不同浓度的葡萄糖(20,30,40,50,60 mmol/L)分别作用细胞24小时和48小时,应用MTT法和葡萄糖氧化酶法检测棕榈酸和葡萄糖对HRGEC存活率与葡萄糖消耗量的影响,蛋白免疫印迹法检测P-IRS、IRS、AKT和p-AKT (Ser473)的影响。结果:1、当棕榈酸500μmol/L干预细胞24小时,与正常组比较,细胞活性显著下降(P0.01),棕榈酸浓度大于或等于300μmol/L干预细胞48小时,细胞存活率显著降低(P0.01)。与空白组比较,300μmol/L、400μmol/L、500μmol/L棕榈酸干预细胞24小时能够明显的降低细胞的葡萄糖消耗(P0.05);200μmol/L、300μmol/L、400μmol/L、500μmol/L干预细胞48小时能够明显的降低细胞的葡萄糖消耗(P0.01)。2、不同浓度葡萄糖刺激人肾小球内皮细胞(HGREC)24小时和48小时,与空白组比较,各组细胞的存活率与对照组比较均无显著变化(P0.05)。与空白组比较,40mmol/L、50 mmol/L、60 mmol/L葡萄糖干预细胞24小时能够降低人肾小球内皮细胞的葡萄糖消耗(P0.05)。与空白组比较,30mmol/L、40mmol/L、50 mmol/L、60 mmol/L葡萄糖干预细胞48小时能够明显降低人肾小球内皮细胞的葡萄糖消耗量(P0.01)。3、不同浓度的葡萄糖刺激人肾小球内皮细胞(HGREC)24小时后,结果显示,50 mmol/L、60 mmol/L葡萄糖刺激细胞24小时能降低P-IRS/IRS和p-AKT/AKT (Ser473)的水平(P0.01),而其他组无明显显著变化(P0.05)。结论:高糖诱导方法能够建立HRGEC细胞胰岛素抵抗模型,具有建模周期短、容易重复、可控性强的优点,可用于糖尿病胰岛素抵抗机制的研究和中药成分的筛选研究。     

乙肝疫苗新型佐剂 CpG-BW006对小鼠脾 NK 细胞表面分子 CD69的表达及γ干扰素分泌的影响

目的:研究重组乙型肝炎表面抗(HBsAg)佐剂 BW006对小鼠脾自然杀伤(NK)细胞表面分子 CD69的表达和γ干扰素(IFN-γ)分泌水平的影响.方法:BW006、HBsAg 单用或联用体外刺激小鼠脾 NK 细胞,流式细胞仪检测NK 细胞膜表面分子 CD69的表达水平,ELISA 检测 IFN-γ的分泌水平.结果:5μg BW006体外刺激小鼠脾 NK 细胞24 h 后,NK 细胞表面分子 CD69的表达达峰值(阳性率45.18%),显著高40μg HBsAg 组(21.44%)(P<0.05),与5μg BW006和40μg HBsAg 联用组(58.49%)相比无显著差异;24 h 时,5μg BW006组的 IFN-γ分泌水平达56.95 ng/mL,显著高40μg HBsAg 组(8.74 ng/mL)(P<0.05),与联用组(57.70 ng/mL)相比无显著差异.结论:BW006具有上调 NK 细胞表面分子 CD69表达和诱导 IFN-γ分泌的早期活化 NK 细胞的功能,作为疫苗的新型佐剂前景较好.     

高糖诱导肾小球系膜细胞表达TNFα-的机制探讨

目的:初步探讨高糖诱导肾小球系膜细胞表达肿瘤坏死因子α(TNFα-)的机制。方法:分别用p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(p38MAPK)特异性抑制剂SB203580、核因子-κB(NFκ-B)特异性抑制剂PDTC预刺激肾小球系膜细胞30 min,再以高糖(20 mmol/L)干预48 h后,分别采用RT-PCR法检测系膜细胞内TNFα-mRNA水平,Western blot法检测系膜细胞内磷酸化p38MAPK蛋白水平、细胞核及细胞浆NFκ-B p65蛋白水平。结果:与低糖对照组相比,高糖可促进肾小球系膜细胞内TNFα-mRNA表达,以及p38MAPK、NFκ-B蛋白活化;SB203580(10 mmol/L)、PDTC(10 mmol/L)预刺激肾小球系膜细胞均可抑制高糖诱导肾小球系膜细胞表达TNFα-,且SB203580可抑制高糖诱导系膜细胞内NFκ-B蛋白活化。结论:p38MAPK-NFκ-B信号途径参与介导高糖诱导肾小球系膜细胞表达TNFα-。     

表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯对人结肠癌HT-29细胞G1期的阻滞作用

目的:研究表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯(Epigallaocatechin-3-gallate,EGCG)时人结肠癌HT-29细胞增殖的影响.方法:实验分为EGCG不同浓度处理组和阴性对照组.采用MTT比色法检测EGCG(30μg/mL、40μg/mL、50μg/mL、60μg/mL、70μg/mL)对HT-29细胞的生长影响;应用流式细胞术分析EGCG对HT-29细胞周期分布的影响;免疫印迹观测EGCG对HT-29细胞p38MAPK、cyclinD1蛋白表达的影响.结果:MTT比色结果显示.不同浓度EGCG(30μg/ml、40μg/ml、50μg/ml、60μg/ml)对HT-29细胞具有明显的生长抑制作用,并呈剂量-效应依赖关系(P<0.05);流式细胞术分析显示,EGCG诱导人结肠癌细胞G1期阻滞,且随着处理时间的延长,其诱导周期阻滞的效应越明显(P<0.05);蛋白免疫印迹显示.总的p38MAPK不随处理时间和浓度的改变而改变,但是磷酸化的p38MAPK蛋白的表达随处理时间和处理浓度的增加而明显增加,而CyclinD1蛋白的表达随处理浓度的增加而明显减少.结论:EGCG诱导HT-29细胞G1期阻滞,抑制细胞增殖,可能与活化p38MAPK,下调CyclinD1蛋白表达有关.     

改良内皮抑素对人脐静脉内皮细胞抑制作用的实验研究

目的:探讨改良内皮抑素(RGDRGD-ES)对人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVEC)的抑制作用,摸索RGDRGD-ES对HUVEC细胞抑制作用的相对最佳作用浓度和时间。方法:通过快速定点诱变PCR方法获得含有RGDRGD膜序的改良人内皮抑素基因,并构建其原核表达载体。表达、纯化改良内皮抑素(RGDRGD-ES),运用MTT法和流式细胞仪检测RGDRGD-ES对人脐静脉内皮细胞的抑制作用。结果:1.诱变了ES基因,获得了改良的RGDRGD-ES基因,并成功构建其原核表达载体。2.获得了RGDRGD-ES蛋白。3.改良的RGDRGD-ES能够有效抑制人脐静脉内皮细胞的生长(P<0.01);抑制率随着药物浓度(10μg/ml、20μg/ml、30μg/ml)的增加和作用时间(24 h、48 h、72 h)的延长而逐渐增加,具有浓度和时间依赖性(P<0.01);而30μg/ml与40μg/ml、50μg/ml组间、72 h与96 h组间无明显差异(P>0.05)。4.细胞凋亡率(作用24 h)具有药物浓度(10μg/ml、20μg/ml、30μg/ml)依赖性(P<0.01),30μg/ml与40μg/ml、50μg/ml组间凋亡率无明显差异(P>0.05)。结论:成功构建了改良RGDRGD-ES基因的原核表达载体,RGDRGD-ES蛋白在30μg/ml浓度作用72小时条件下能够有效抑制人脐静脉内皮细胞的生长,改良内皮抑素(RGDRGD-ES)对HUVEC的抑制作用较ES明显提高。     

Oxidized LDL through LOX-1 modulates LDL-receptor expression in human coronary artery endothelial cells

Experimental studies have shown that oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) up-regulates its receptor LOX-1. Both ox-LDL and LOX-1 are expressed in atherosclerotic plaques. Native LDL concentrations are elevated in atherosclerosis, suggesting a reduction in LDL-receptors. We hypothesized that ox-LDL via LOX-1 could influence the expression of LDL-receptors. This study was designed to examine the interaction between ox-LDL, LOX-1, and LDL-receptors in human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs). HCAECs were incubated with ox-LDL (10-80 microg/ml) for 3-24h. Ox-LDL decreased the expression of LDL-receptor in a concentration- and time-dependent fashion. The effects of ox-LDL were mediated by its endothelial receptor LOX-1, since pretreatment of HCAECs with a blocking antibody to LOX-1 (JTX92, 10 microg/ml) prevented the effect of ox-LDL on LDL-receptor expression. The role of LOX-1 was further confirmed by the use of an antisense to LOX-1 mRNA, which also blocked the effect of ox-LDL in LDL-receptor expression. In other experiments, ox-LDL as expected induced superoxide anion generation; and pretreatment of HCAECs with the anti-oxidants trolox and alpha-tocopherol (each 10 microM) inhibited the formation of superoxide anions as well as the down-regulation of LDL-receptor in response to ox-LDL. These studies provide the first evidence that ox-LDL via LOX-1 modulates LDL-receptor expression in HCAECs. The generation of free radicals elicited by ox-LDL may be a key step in this process.     

Daxx通过上调caveolin-1的表达介导Ox-LDL诱导巨噬细胞胆固醇蓄积和凋亡

为探讨Daxx对氧化型低密度脂蛋白(oxidized low-density lipoprotein,Ox-LDL)诱导巨噬细胞胆固醇蓄积和凋亡的介导作用及其可能的分子机制,用高效液相色谱法检测细胞内胆固醇含量,油红O染色观察细胞内脂滴的形成情况,流式细胞术和吖啶橙/溴化乙锭(AO/EB)染色法研究Ox-LDL对细胞凋亡的影响,Real time RT-PCR检测细胞内Daxx mRNA的表达水平,Western blot检测caveolin-1蛋白的表达,用特异性siRNA沉默Daxx在RAW264.7 细胞中的表达．Ox-LDL上调Daxx mRNA和caveolin-1的表达、增加细胞内胆固醇含量、促使RAW264.7细胞凋亡,用特异性siRNA干扰Daxx在RAW264.7细胞中的表达能降低caveolin-1的表达、减少细胞内胆固醇含量、以及抑制细胞凋亡．上述结果表明,Daxx对Ox-LDL诱导RAW264.7巨噬细胞胆固醇蓄积和凋亡具有介导作用,这一作用可能与Daxx上调caveolin -1的表达有关．     

LncRNA KCNQ1OT1靶向调控miR-124-3p/HMGB1轴对高糖诱导肾小球系膜细胞增殖、凋亡及纤维化的影响

摘要 目的：探讨长链非编码核糖核酸（LncRNA）KCNQ1OT1靶向调控miR-124-3p/高迁移率族蛋白B1（HMGB1）轴对高糖诱导肾小球系膜细胞（HMC）增殖、凋亡及纤维化的影响。方法：将人HMC分为对照组（NC组）、高糖组（30 mmol/L葡萄糖）、阴性序列（si-NC）组、KCNQ1OT1小干扰核糖核酸（RNA）（si-KCNQ1OT1）组、si-KCNQ1OT1+模拟对照序列（miR-NC）组、si-KCNQ1OT1+miR-124-3p抑制剂（miR-124-3p inhibitor）组,各组在转染后进行高糖处理。实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应（RT-qPCR）检测LncRNA KCNQ1OT1信使核糖核酸（mRNA）、miR-124-3p mRNA、HMGB1 mRNA表达;四甲基偶氮唑盐比色法（MTT）检测细胞增殖活性;流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率;蛋白印迹法（Western blot）检测HMGB1蛋白、增殖相关蛋白[细胞周期蛋白1（CyclinD1）]、细胞凋亡蛋白[半胱氨酸蛋白酶-3（caspase-3）、半胱氨酸蛋白酶蛋白9（caspase-9）]、细胞纤维化蛋白[纤维连接蛋白（FN）、细胞黏附分子-1（ICAM-1）]表达;双荧光素酶报告基因实验验证LncRNA KCNQ1OT1与miR-124-3p与HMGB1之间的靶向关系。结果：与NC组比较,高糖组KCNQ1OT1 mRNA、HMGB1 mRNA及HMGB1蛋白、CyclinD1蛋白、FN蛋白、ICAM-1蛋白表达、HMC活性（24 h、48 h和72 h）明显上升,miR-124-3p mRNA、caspase-3蛋白及caspase-9蛋白表达、HMC凋亡率明显下降（P<0.05）;与高糖组、si-NC组比较,si-KCNQ1OT1组KCNQ1OT1 mRNA、HMGB1 mRNA及HMGB1蛋白、CyclinD1蛋白、FN蛋白、ICAM-1蛋白表达、HMC活性（24 h、48 h和72 h）明显下降,miR-124-3p mRNA、caspase-3蛋白及caspase-9蛋白表达、HMC凋亡率明显上升（P<0.05）;与si-KCNQ1OT1组、si-KCNQ1OT1+miR-NC组比较,si-KCNQ1OT1+miR-124-3p inhibitor组HMGB1 mRNA及HMGB1蛋白、CyclinD1蛋白、FN蛋白、ICAM-1蛋白表达、HMC活性（24 h、48 h和72 h）明显上升,miR-124-3p mRNA、caspase-3蛋白及caspase-9蛋白表达、HMC凋亡率明显下降（P<0.05）。较miR-NC组与KCNQ1OT1-WT共转染组而言,miR-124-3p mimic组与KCNQ1OT1-WT共转染组细胞荧光素酶活性明显降低（P<0.05）;较miR-NC组与HMGB1-WT共转染组而言,miR-124-3p mimic组与HMGB1-WT共转染组细胞荧光素酶活性明显降低（P<0.05）。结论：LncRNA KCNQ1OT1可以靶向下调miR-124-3p mRNA表达,上调HMGB1 mRNA及HMGB1蛋白表达,促进高糖诱导HMC增殖,抑制凋亡,促进细胞纤维化发展。     

Biosynthesis and post-translational processing of lectin-like oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1). N-linked glycosylation affects cell-surface expression and ligand binding

LOX-1 (lectin-like oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor-1) is a type II membrane protein belonging to the C-type lectin family that can act as a cell-surface receptor for atherogenic oxidized low density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) and may play crucial roles in atherogenesis. In this study, we show, by pulse-chase labeling and glycosidase digestion, that LOX-1 is synthesized as a 40-kDa precursor protein with N-linked high mannose carbohydrate chains (pre-LOX-1), which is subsequently further glycosylated and processed into the 48-kDa mature form within 40 min. Furthermore, when treated with an N-glycosylation inhibitor, tunicamycin, both tumor necrosis factor-alpha-activated bovine aortic endothelial cells and CHO-K1 cells stably expressing bovine LOX-1 (BLOX-1-CHO) exclusively produced a 32-kDa deglycosylated form of LOX-1. Cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence confocal microscopy demonstrated that the deglycosylated form of LOX-1 is not efficiently transported to the cell surface, but is retained in the endoplasmic reticulum or Golgi apparatus in tumor necrosis factor-alpha-activated bovine aortic endothelial cells, but not in BLOX-1-CHO cells. Radiolabeled Ox-LDL binding studies revealed that the deglycosylated form of LOX-1 expressed on the cell surface of BLOX-1-CHO cells has a reduced affinity for Ox-LDL binding. Taken together, N-linked glycosylation appears to play key roles in the cell-surface expression and ligand binding of LOX-1.     

Activated Human Mast Cells Induce LOX-1-Specific Scavenger Receptor Expression in Human Monocyte-Derived Macrophages

Objective

Activated mast cells in atherosclerotic lesions degranulate and release bioactive compounds capable of regulating atherogenesis. Here we examined the ability of activated human primary mast cells to regulate the expression of the major scavenger receptors in cultured human primary monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDMs).

Results

Components released by immunologically activated human primary mast cells induced a transient expression of lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor (LOX-1) mRNA in HMDMs, while the expression of two other scavenger receptors, MSR1 and CD36, remained unaffected. The LOX-1-inducing secretory components were identified as histamine, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β1), which exhibited a synergistic effect on LOX-1 mRNA expression. Histamine induced a transient expression of LOX-1 protein. Mast cell –induced increase in LOX-1 expression was not associated with increased uptake of oxidized LDL by the macrophages.

Conclusions

Mast cell-derived histamine, TNF-α, and TGF-β1 act in concert to induce a transient increase in LOX-1 expression in human primary monocyte-derived macrophages. The LOX-1-inducing activity potentially endows mast cells a hitherto unrecognized role in the regulation of innate immune reactions in atherogenesis.     

Induction of the oxLDL receptor LOX-1 by endothelin-1 in human endothelial cells.

In this study, we analyzed the effect of endothelin-1 (ET-1) on expression of the lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) receptor-1 LOX-1 and on oxLDL uptake in primary cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). LOX-1 mRNA was quantified by standard-calibrated competitive RT-PCR, LOX-1 protein expression by Western analysis and endothelial oxLDL uptake using DiI-labeled oxLDL. ET-1 induces LOX-1 mRNA expression, reaching its maximum after 1 h (160 +/- 14% of control, 100 nM ET-1, P < 0.05). This increased ET-1-mediated LOX-1 mRNA expression could be inhibited by endothelin receptor B antagonist BQ-788. In addition, ET-1 stimulates LOX-1 protein expression and oxLDL uptake in HUVEC. The augmented oxLDL uptake by ET-1 is mediated by endothelin receptor B, but not by protein kinases. These data support a new pathophysiological mechanism how locally and systemically increased ET-1 levels could promote LOX-1-mediated oxLDL uptake in human endothelial cells and the development and progression of endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis.     

Oxidized low density lipoprotein activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARalpha) and PPARgamma through MAPK-dependent COX-2 expression in macrophages

It has been reported that oxidized low density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) can activate both peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARalpha) and PPARgamma. However, the detailed mechanisms of Ox-LDL-induced PPARalpha and PPARgamma activation are not fully understood. In the present study, we investigated the effect of Ox-LDL on PPARalpha and PPARgamma activation in macrophages. Ox-LDL, but not LDL, induced PPARalpha and PPARgamma activation in a dose-dependent manner. Ox-LDL transiently induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA and protein expression, and COX-2 specific inhibition by NS-398 or meloxicam or small interference RNA of COX-2 suppressed Ox-LDL-induced PPARalpha and PPARgamma activation. Ox-LDL induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK, and ERK1/2 specific inhibition abrogated Ox-LDL-induced COX-2 expression and PPARalpha and PPARgamma activation, whereas p38 MAPK-specific inhibition had no effect. Ox-LDL decreased the amounts of intracellular long chain fatty acids, such as arachidonic, linoleic, oleic, and docosahexaenoic acids. On the other hand, Ox-LDL increased intracellular 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J(2) (15d-PGJ(2)) level through ERK1/2-dependent overexpression of COX-2. Moreover, 15d-PGJ(2) induced both PPARalpha and PPARgamma activation. Furthermore, COX-2 and 15d-PGJ(2) expression and PPAR activity were increased in atherosclerotic lesions of apoE-deficient mice. Finally, we investigated the involvement of PPARalpha and PPARgamma on Ox-LDL-induced mRNA expression of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. Interestingly, specific inhibition of PPARalpha and PPARgamma suppressed Ox-LDL-induced ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 mRNA expression and enhanced Ox-LDL-induced monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 mRNA expression. In conclusion, Ox-LDL-induced increase in 15d-PGJ(2) level through ERK1/2-dependent COX-2 expression is one of the mechanisms of PPARalpha and PPARgamma activation in macrophages. These effects of Ox-LDL may control excess atherosclerotic progression.