Objective To explore the role and the possible molecular mechanisms of natural anti-oxLDL IgM monoclonal antibody played and involved in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Methods Natural anti-oxLDL IgM monoclonal antibody 3A6 was generated by using standard hybridoma production techniques. Influence of 3A6 on formation of foam cells was observed by Oil Red O staining and affinity of Na125I-conjugated oxLDL on the naive and LPS-activated macrophages. After LPS stimulation on macrophages, anti-TLR4 neutralizing mAb, p38MAPK specific inhibitor SB203580, NF-kB specific inhibitor PDTC or RNAi targeting Fcα/μ receptor (Fcamr) were applied, respectively. Results Natural anti-oxLDL IgM monoclonal antibody 3 A6 were found specifically inhibit the binding of CuoxLDL to naive macrophages but not the binding of CuoxLDL to LPS-activated macrophages. It also promoted the formation of CuoxLDL-mediated foam macrophages. 3A6 F(ab')2 or pre-incubation with un-related IgM inhibited the binding of 3A6/CuoxLDL complex to LPS-activated macrophages. LPS up-regulated the expression of Fcamr in macrophages in a dose- and time-dependent manner, which was attenuated by treatment with anti-TLR4. LPS induced the phosphorylation of p38MAPK and translocation of NF-kB p65, contributing to the up-regulated expression of Fcα/μ receptor in macrophages. Conclusions Natural anti-oxLDL IgM monoclonal antibody 3A6 specifically inhibited the binding of CuoxLDL to naive macrophages in vitro. However, LPS, through the Toll-like receptor (TLR)4 receptor, activated the p38MAPK and NF-kB pathways and up-regulated the expression of Fcα/μ receptor in macrophages, which promoted the binding of 3A6/CuoxLDL complex to macrophages through binding with Fc fragments and the formation of foam macrophages. Therefore, our findings provide a new explanation why bacterial infection deteriorates the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

AIM: To examine the effects of L-carnitine on apoptosis and oxidant injury in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation and its possible mechanism. METHODS: The cultured cardiomyocytes were divided into three groups, control, A/R group (anoxia for 120 min, reoxygenation for 240 min) and L-carnitine treatment group, in which cells were exposed to 20 mg/L, 50 mg/L, 100 mg/L, 200 mg/L L-carnitine respectively at 2 h before anoxia. The superoxide dismutase (SOD), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were examined, and the apoptosis was determined by flow of cytometry (FCM). In addition, the ultrastructure was observed by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: In A/R group, SOD and SDH activities were lower, the apoptosis rate and MDA content were higher than those in control group (P

AIM: To examine the effects of L-carnitine on apoptosis in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes induced by hypoxia/reoxygenat ion and its possible mechanism. METHODS: A cell culture model of neonatal rat cardiacmyocytes wa s used. The cultured cardiomyocytes were classified into three groups: control g roup, I/R group (anoxia for 120 min, reoxygenation for 240 min) and L-carnitine group (L-carnitine, which was classified into four different concentrations, was added to the cells 2 h before anoxia). The activities of superoxide dismutase ( S OD), the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the apoptosis were determined by f low cytometry (FCM). RESULTS: In I/R group SOD activities were lower, and the apoptos is rate and MDA were higher than those in control group and they were statistica lly significant (P