OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of burn sera on the nuclear translocation of endothelial NF-kappaB heterodimers p50/p65 and on the degradation of inhibiting kappaB (IkappaBalpha), in order to explore the role of burn sera on activation of the endothelium.

METHODSCultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) (ECV-304 strain) were employed as the target cells. The cells were stimulated by sera from healthy volunteers and from burn patients and burn sera together with PDTC (pyrrolidine dithiocarbarnate). The normal cultured cells were taken as the control. The nuclear translocation of endothelial p50/p65 at 30, 60, 120 and 480 mins after the stimulation was observed with laser confocal microscopy, and the endothelial IkappaBalpha protein degradation at 30, 60, 90 and 120 mins after the stimulation was determined by Western blotting.

RESULTSWhen compared to that in control group, the nuclear translocation of p50/p65 took place 30 mins after the endothelial cells were stimulated by burn sera, and it reached the summit at 30 - 60 mins, but recovered to pre-stimulation state at 2hrs. In addition, IkBalpha degradation occurred 30 mins after the cells were stimulated by burn sera (P < 0.01) and peaking at 45 - 60 mins after the stimulation and recovered at 2hrs after the stimulation. The nuclear translocation of endothelial p50/p65 and IkBalpha degradation at 30 and 60 mins after the stimulation by burn sera could be effectively inhibited by PDTC.

CONCLUSIONBurn sera might induce the nuclear translocation of endothelial NF-kappaB p50/p65 and IkappaBalpha degradation and activate NF-kappaB, which ultimately lead to the secretion of cytokines from the endothelium.