Survival pathways regulating the apoptosis induced by tumour necrosis factor-alpha in primary cultured bovine endothelial cells

The aim of the present study was to identify biochemical pathways driving the resistance of endothelial cells to apoptosis induced by tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF). (1) Although nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) was activated by TNF, its inhibition by MG-132 failed to sensitize these cells. (2) The activation of protein kinase C (PKC) by phorbol ester completely abolished the TNF-induced cell death. (3) The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor wortmannin (Wo) triggered apoptosis and enhanced the TNF-induced cell death. (4) The MEK inhibitor PD98059 did not affect the TNF-induced apoptotic process. (5) The p38 is activated by TNF and its inhibition by SB203580 sensitized the cells to TNF. This is correlated with the inhibition of phosphorylation of heat-shock protein of 27 kDa (HSP27).These results indicate that TNF activates NF-kappaB, which does not drive any anti-apoptotic response, and p38, which plays an anti-apoptotic function probably through HSP27 phosphorylation. Moreover, PKC and PI3K are involved in the control of survival pathways.