OBJECTIVETo explore the role of HOXB2 gene in the proliferation of primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the protective effects of VEGF on the endothelia against radiation injury.

METHODSHUVECs were isolated, cultured, subcultured and identified. (1) Liposome coated oligodeoxynucleotide (odn) and homeoboxB2 antisense oligodeoxyncleotide (HOXB2asodn) were prepared prepared in the concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.5 mg/L for the stimulation of HUVEC. (3)H-TdR incorporation test and MTT method were employed to determine the proliferation activity of HUVECs after activation. The cell cycle analysis of HUVECs was determined by flow cytometry. The expression level of HOXB2mRNA within HUVECs was detected by RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction). (2) HUVECs were separately treated with the addition of VEGF in concentration of 50 microg/L, by radiation in the dose of 6 Gy or 12 Gy (60)Co gamma gamma ray, or radiation with 12 Gy (60)Co gamma gamma ray followed by the addition of VEGF in dose of 50 microg/L. The cellular morphology was observed and the cellular proliferation activity was determined by MTT method.

RESULTS(1) The proliferation activity of HUVECs could be markedly inhibited by liposome coated HOXB2asodn in comparison to liposome-odn (P < 0.05 or 0.001), and the inhibition effect was positively correlated with the increase in asodn concentration. The cell ratio in S phase and the expression level of the HOXB2mRNA could be lowered by asodn in dose of 2.5 mg/L (P < 0.05 or 0.001). (2) Radiation by (60)Co gamma ray could lead to the nuclear enlargement, vacuolation in the cytoplasm, multiplicity of nucleus and nuclear swelling. The proliferative activity of HUVECs was increased from 0.365 +/- 0.047 and 0.487 +/- 0.022 without radiation to 0.557 +/- 0.042 and 0.648 +/- 0.021 24 and 48 hours after 6 Gy radiation However it was decreased to 0.263 +/- 0.038 and 0.306 +/- 0.024 (P < 0.01) after 12 Gy (60)Co gamma ray radiation. Nevertheless, the cell morphology was obviously improved and the proliferation was enhanced by the addition of VEGF after 12 Gy radiation.

CONCLUSIONHOXB2 gene played important roles in the biological activities of HUVECs. Small dose (6 Gy) gamma-radiation could promote, but large dose (12 Gy) could decrease the mRNA expression of HOXB2 gene in HUVECs. In addition, VEGF could protect HUVECs against radiation injury.