Homocysteine ; pharmacology ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Metallothionein ; pharmacology

Cell Line ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Interleukin-1 ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; P-Selectin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of stem cell factor (SCF) on proliferation, transmigration, capillary tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and on the chemotaxis of CD133(+) cells.

METHODSIn the presence of blank control, SCF, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), anti-human SCF (anti-SCF) or human IgG, the difference in proliferation capacity of HUVEC was analyzed by MTT and CCK-8 methods, and wound scratch assay and three-dimensional in vitro Matrigel assay were used for transmigration and capillary tube formation of HUVEC, respectively. In addition, the chemotaxis of CD133(+) cells sorted from human umbilical cord blood by flow cytometry was investigated by Transwell migration assay.

RESULTSSCF didn't improve the proliferative capacity of HUVEC, but significantly enhanced the transmigration capacity, and increased capillary tube formation in a dose-dependent manner. The number of intact tubules [(30.0 ± 3.4)/10(5) HUVEC] formed by HUVECs in the presence of the optimal concentration of SCF (100 ng/ml) was remarkably higher than that in blank control group [(5.0 ± 2.6)/10(5) HUVEC, P < 0.01]. SCF also significantly induced a chemotactic response of CD133(+) cells, the transmembrane migration cell number into Transwell lower chamber was significantly higher in SCF group [(118.0 ± 6.5)/10(4) CD133(+) cells] than in blank control group [(47.0 ± 4.7)/10(4) CD133(+) cells, P < 0.01 ].

CONCLUSIONSSCF significantly promotes the transmigration and capillary tube formation of HUVEC, and induces a chemotactic response of CD133(+) cells. SCF/c-kit signaling possibly plays a critical role in regulating angiogenesis of vascular endothelial cells and vasculogenesis of endothelial progenitor cells.

Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Sincalide ; metabolism ; Stem Cell Factor ; pharmacology

BackgroundOxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced oxidative stress and endothelial apoptosis are essential for atherosclerosis. Our previous study has shown that ox-LDL-induced apoptosis is mediated by the protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK)/eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α-subunit (eIF2α)/CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathway in endothelial cells. Statins are cholesterol-lowering drugs that exert pleiotropic effects including suppression of oxidative stress. This study aimed to explore the roles of simvastatin on ox-LDL-induced ER stress and apoptosis in endothelial cells.

MethodsHuman umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with simvastatin (0.1, 0.5, or 2.5 μmol/L) or DEVD-CHO (selective inhibitor of caspase-3, 100 μmol/L) for 1 h before the addition of ox-LDL (100 μg/ml) and then incubated for 24 h, and untreated cells were used as a control group. Apoptosis, expression of PERK, phosphorylation of eIF2α, CHOP mRNA level, and caspase-3 activity were measured. Comparisons among multiple groups were performed with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post hoc pairwise comparisons using Tukey's tests. A value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

ResultsExposure of HUVECs to ox-LDL resulted in a significant increase in apoptosis (31.9% vs. 4.9%, P < 0.05). Simvastatin (0.1, 0.5, and 2.5 μmol/L) led to a suppression of ox-LDL-induced apoptosis (28.0%, 24.7%, and 13.8%, F = 15.039, all P < 0.05, compared with control group). Ox-LDL significantly increased the expression of PERK (499.5%, P < 0.05) and phosphorylation of eIF2α (451.6%, P < 0.05), if both of which in the control groups were considered as 100%. Simvastatin treatment (0.1, 0.5, and 2.5 μmol/L) blunted ox-LDL-induced expression of PERK (407.8%, 339.1%, and 187.5%, F = 10.121, all P < 0.05, compared with control group) and phosphorylation of eIF2α (407.8%, 339.1%, 187.5%, F = 11.430, all P < 0.05, compared with control group). In contrast, DEVD-CHO treatment had no significant effect on ox-LDL-induced expression of PERK (486.4%) and phosphorylation of eIF2α (418.8%). Exposure of HUVECs to ox-LDL also markedly induced caspase-3 activity together with increased CHOP mRNA level; these effects were inhibited by simvastatin treatment.

ConclusionsThis study suggested that simvastatin could inhibit ox-LDL-induced ER stress and apoptosis in vascular endothelial cells.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; drug effects ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; pharmacology ; Oligopeptides ; pharmacology ; Simvastatin ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of methylglyoxal on endothelia cell migration.

METHODSHuman umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were stimulated by serial concentrations of methylglyoxal (MGO, 0, 25, 50, 100 and 200 µmol/L) for 24 h, and the cell migration was assessed by scratch wound and Transwell assay. The expression of integrin β3 in the treated cells was examined by immunoblotting, and the effect of an anti-β3 antibody, LM609, on cell migration was investigated.

RESULTSMethylglyoxal significantly inhibited HUVEC migration in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05). Methylglyoxal decreased the expression of integrin β3 in a time- and concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05). LM609 also significantly inhibited HUVEC migration (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONMethylglyoxal inhibits HUVEC migration in vitro by down-regulating integrin β3 expression.

Cell Movement ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Down-Regulation ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Integrin beta3 ; metabolism ; Pyruvaldehyde ; pharmacology

AIMTo investigate the influences of testosterone with varied concentrations on the functions of HUVEC.

METHODSHuman umbilical vein endothelial cells within 2-3 passages were cultured with testosterone (3 x 10(-10) to 3 x 10(-8), 3 x 10(-6), 3 x 10(-5) mol/ L), and the control confluent cells were cultured in the same medium without steroid. MTT experiment was repeated for 7 days to investigate each groups' cell proliferation. The values of NO were tested as recommended. The tPA and PAI-1 antigen levels were assayed with ELISA Kits.

RESULTSTestosterone at physiologic or lower concentrations (3 x 10(-10) to 3 x 10(-8) mol/L ) had no adverse effect on A490 and NO level, meanwhile, stimulated the secretion of tPA (P < 0.01). However, tPA levels markedly reduced at larger dose (3 x 10(-6) to 3 x 10(-5) mol/L). On the other hand, PAI-1 antigen levels decreased significantly at the testosterone concentrations ranging from 3 x 10(-10) to 3 x 10(-5) mol/L (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTestosterone at physiologically relevant concentrations affectively decreased PAI-1, while increased tPA levels, which suggested that testosterone might have beneficial effects on the Human umbilical vein endothelial cells and cardiovascular system to prevent atherosclerosis.

Cells, Cultured ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 ; metabolism ; Testosterone ; pharmacology ; Tissue Plasminogen Activator ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo detect the protective effect of ligustrazine hydrochloride on homocysteine-injured ECV304 cells.

METHODIn the in vitro study, human umbilical vein endothelial cells were selected as objects, with homocysteine as the molding agent, to judge the injury degree by monitoring NOS and NO contents. Based on that, the best homocysteine concentration in ECV304 cells, the best reaction time could be determined, and an endothelial cell injury model was established. After adding ligustrazine hydrochloride, NOS and NO contents in injured endothelial cells were determined to observe the protective effect of ligustrazine hydrochloride.

RESULTIt was proved that the optimal concentration of homocysteine on injured ECV304 cell was 1 mmol x L(-1), the best reaction time was 48 h. An injured endothelial cell model was established. At the same time, positive drug nitroglycerin and ligustrazine hydrochloride displayed a protection effect on injured ECV304 cells, NOS and NO formation were significantly increased compared with the model group.

CONCLUSIONLigustrazine hydrochloride has a protective effect on homocysteine-injured ECV304 cells. The model established in this study can be used to screen anti-myocardial ischemia drugs targeting at an endothelial cell protective agent.

Cytoprotection ; drug effects ; Homocysteine ; adverse effects ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Nitric Oxide ; biosynthesis ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; biosynthesis ; Pyrazines ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo discuss the effect of protein kinase C (PKC) on regulation of ecto-5'-nucleotidase activity by lysophosphatidylcholine(LPC) in human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVEC).

METHODSExperiments were conducted in HUVEC grown on dishes which were divided into 4 groups (n=15): (1) Control group in which only eAMP (5 micromol/L) was added; (2) LPC group in which HUVEC were incubated with LPC (10 micromol/L) before eAMP was added; (3) Chelerythrine group in which cells were pre-incubated with the PKC inhibitor chelerythrine (100 micromol/L) before LPC and eAMP were added; (4) alpha, beta-Methyladenosine-5'-Diphosphate (AOPCP) group in which cells were incubated with AOPCP (10 micromol/L) before eAMP was added. Etheno-adenosine production was detected at 15th, 30th, 45th min with high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) respectively.

RESULTSComparing to the control group LPC significantly increased etheno-adenosine production at three time points respectively (P < 0.05). Furthermore, PKC inhibitor chelerythrine abolished this effect of LPC and the ethenoadenosine production at three time points were at the same level of control group (P > 0.05). CD73 inhibitor AOPCP significantly decreased the etheno-adenosine production compared to the other three groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONEcto-5'-nucleotidase can be modulated within minutes following exposure of HUVEC to LPC and this response may be mediated by PKC in HUVEC.

5'-Nucleotidase ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; GPI-Linked Proteins ; metabolism ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lysophosphatidylcholines ; pharmacology ; Protein Kinase C ; physiology ; Up-Regulation ; drug effects

AIMTo observe the direct effect of urotensin II (U II) on the release of nitric oxide (NO) and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC).

METHODSHUVEC were cultured with different concentrations of U II (10(-9)-10(-7) mol/L) for 24 hours. Then the supernatant was collected to detect the level of NO and the activity of iNOS, the expression of iNOS mRNA of HUVEC was measured by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSIn comparison with controls, the level of NO, the activity of iNOS and the iNOS mRNA expression increased significantly (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONU II may up-regulate the expression of iNOS mRNA and increase NO generation in HUVEC, it suggests that U II may relax blood vessel by activating iNOS/NO pathway.

Cells, Cultured ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Urotensins ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the protective effect of propyl gallate (PG), an alkyl ester of gallic acid which is an active ingredient of Radix Paeoniae, against oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced apoptosis and death in endothelial cells (ECs) and to find out its preliminary mechanism.

METHODSThe cultured endothelial cells were divided into normal, model (ox-LDL), control (fetal bovine serum), PG high dose (20 μg/mL), PG middle dose (10 μg/mL), and PG low dose (5 μg/mL) groups, each derived from three different pools of umbilical cords. The model of injured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was induced by ox-LDL. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, Hoechst 33258 staining, flow cytometry and measurement of nitrogen monoxidum (NO) release were used to evaluate the protective effect of PG against ox-LDL-induced apoptosis and death in HUVECs. To find out the mechanism of this protective effect, the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA, eNOS protein expression, immunofluorescence of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activities of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxidedismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were observed.

RESULTSPG significantly reduced ox-LDL-induced apoptosis and cell death. The percentage of cells death and apoptosis was significantly higher in the ox-LDL group than that in the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the cells death and apoptosis of PG group was no different (P>0.05). As compared with the ox-LDL group, results of the PG high dose group showed that cell viability was significantly increased (P<0.05), the level of NO release, expression of eNOS mRNA, densitometric value of eNOS protein expression, as well as the activities of SOD and GPx were all significantly higher (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONPG could potentially serve as a novel endothelial protective agent against ox-LDL-induced injury of endothelial cell.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytoprotection ; drug effects ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; toxicity ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Propyl Gallate ; pharmacology ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism