OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of angiotensin II type-1 (AT-1) alpha receptor gene silencing on nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activity in hepatic Kupffer cells.

METHODSThe expression of AT-1 alpha receptors in primary isolated cultured hepatic Kupffer cells was detected by immunohistochemistry. pSilencer/AT-1 alpha receptor siRNA plasmids were transfected into Kupffer cells, which were subsequently exposed to 10(-6) mol/L angiotensin II (Ang II) for 60 min. The changes in the DNA binding activity of NF-kappaB in the cells was assessed using electrophoretic gel mobility shift assay (EMSA).

RESULTSAT-1 alpha receptor expression was detected in Kupffer cells. NF-kappaB DNA binding activity was markedly increased in Kupffer cells after Ang II stimulation, and obviously inhibited by transfectiom with pSilencer/AT-1 alpha receptor siRNA plasmid.

CONCLUSIONAng II stimulation of Kupffer cell results in increased activation of NF-kappaB via AT-1 alpha receptor.