OBJECTIVETo characterize if irbesartan regulates vascular inflammatory gene expression profiles related to atherosclerosis in EA.hy926 cells.

METHODSHuman umbilical vein endothelial cell line EA.hy926 cultured in vitro was incubated with irbesartan (1×10(-6) mol/L) for 24 h. The total RNA was extracted from the cells for gene expression profiling. The DAVID Gene Functional Classification Tool was used to analyze the disease- and function-related genes in the cells. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to verify the genes showing differential expression after irbesartan treatment. The protein levels of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and type 2 receptor (AT2R) were tested by Western blotting.

RESULTSCompared with the control cells, 56 genes were found to show marked changes following irbesartan treatment, including 39 up-regulated and 17 down-regulated genes. Disease analysis suggested that these genes were related to such diseases as coronary atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, and colorectal cancer. Eight genes, namely MMP2, PTGS2, PECAM1, SELP, SELL, CYP1A1, MMRN1, and HSPA1A, were involved in atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. Verification by RT-PCR produced a result consistent with the gene array result. AT1R was down-regulated while AT2R up-regulated in irbesartan-treated cells.

CONCLUSIONIrbesartan regulates the inflammatory gene expressions related to atherosclerosis in EA.hy926 cells. These inflammatory factors may promote destabilization of atherosclerotic plaque possibly in relation to AT2R overexpression.