OBJECTIVETo explore the role of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) in the burn serum induced expression of intercellular adhesion molecules-1 (ICAM-1) in endothelial cells.

METHODSHuman umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured in vitro and divided into control (with normal serum stimulation), burn serum (B, with burn serum stimulation) and PDTC (with burn serum and PDTC stimulation) groups. The NF-kappaB activity in endothelial cells was determined with electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) at 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0 post-stimulation hour (PSH). The expression of ICAM-1 at 3.0, 6.0, 12. 0, 24.0 PSH was detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTSThe NF-kappaB activity in endothelial cells in burn serum group and PDTC group were markedly higher than that in control group (P <0.01), and it reached the peak at 1.0 PSH [(21.03 +/- 4.87), (7.44 +/- 0.60) x 10(4) A], respectively, then gradually decreased. But it was obviously lower in PDTC group than that in burn serum group ( P <0. 01 ). The expression of ICAM-1 was gradually increased in both burn serum group and PDTC group, reaching the peak level at 12.0 PSH [(327 +/- 37), (142 +/- 31) mean fluorescence intensity], respectively, which were significantly higher than that in control group (P <0.01). But it was evidently lower in PDTC group than that in burn serum group at 12.0 and 24.0 PSH (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONBurn serum can initiate the synthesis and release of adhesion molecules in endothelial cells through activation of NF-kappaB, indicating that NF-kappaB plays an important role in the process of burn serum induced endothelial secretion of adhesion molecules.