Effect of procalcitonin on lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 and caspase-1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the effect of procalcitonin (PCT) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced expression of the pyroptosis-related proteins nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) and caspase-1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).@*METHODS@#HUVECs were induced by LPS to establish a model of sepsis-induced inflammatory endothelial cell injury. The experiment was divided into two parts. In the first part, HUVECs were randomly divided into four groups: normal control, LPS (1 μg/mL), PCT (10 ng/mL), and LPS+PCT (n=3 each). In the second part, HUVECs were randomly grouped: normal control, LPS, and LPS+PCT of different concentrations (0.1, 1, 10, and 100 ng/mL) (n=3 each). Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3 and caspase-1 in each group.@*RESULTS@#In the first experiment: compared with the normal control group, the PCT, LPS, and LPS+PCT groups had significantly upregulated mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3 and caspase-1 (P<0.05); compared with the LPS group, the LPS+PCT group had significantly downregulated mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3 and caspase-1 (P<0.05). In the second experiment: compared with those in the LPS group, the mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3 and caspase-1 in the LPS+PCT of different concentrations groups were significantly downregulated in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#LPS can promote the expression of the pyroptosis-related proteins NLRP3 and caspase-1 in HUVECs, while PCT can inhibit the LPS-induced expression of the pyroptosis-related proteins NLRP3 and caspase-1 in HUVECs in a concentration-dependent manner.

Puerarin reduces oxidative damage to vascular endothelial cells by improving mitochondrial respiratory function / 药学学报

This study investigated the effect of puerarin on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) injured with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). HUVEC were divided into three groups: a control group, a model group (H2O2 400 μmol·L-1) and a puerarin-treated group (3, 10, 30 and 100 μmol·L-1). HUVEC were cultured with varied concentration of puerarin for 2 h and treated with H2O2 for another 24 h. Cell proliferation was detected by a CCK-8 assay. The mitochondrial membrane potential was measured by a JC-1 fluorescent probe. A transwell chamber assay was adopted to observe cell migration ability. Mitochondrial respiratory function was measured in a two-chamber titration injection respirometer (Oxygraph-2k). The expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-18 (IL-18) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) was detected by quantitative real-time PCR. The expression of pyroptosis-mediated proteins, including cleaved-cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1 (caspase-1), N-gasdermin D (N-GSDMD), NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) and purinergic ligand-gated ion channel 7 receptor (P2X7R) was detected by Western blot. The results show that 400 μmol·L-1 H2O2 treatment for 24 h causes obvious damage to HUVEC. Compared with the model group, puerarin protected against cellular injury in a dose-dependent manner, with the greatest effect at a dose of 30 and 100 μmol·L-1. Puerarin significantly decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential and improved mitochondrial function. Puerarin inhibited cell migration induced by H2O2, suppressed the expression of IL-1β, IL-18 and TNF-α, and down-regulated the pyroptosis-mediated protein. These changes are statistically significant (P < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that puerarin has a protective effect against H2O2-induced oxidative damage of HUVEC by inhibiting the migration of HUVEC cells. The mechanism may be related to improved mitochondrial respiratory function and inhibition of pyroptosis.

Effect of endogenous nitric oxide on superoxide dismutase-1 activity and apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Objective:To investigate the regulatory effects of endogenous nitric oxide (NO) on the activity of superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1) and apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).Methods:HUVECs were taken as the research object.The endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) short hairpin RNA(shRNA) lentivirus was employed to transfect HUVECs to knock down eNOS.HUVECs were divided in 4 groups: the scramble group, the eNOS shRNA group, the eNOS shRNA + sodium nitroprusside(SNP) group and the eNOS shRNA+ SNP+ tris (2-carboxyethyl) phosphine hydrochloride (TCEP) group.The protein expressions of eNOS and SOD1 dimer/monomer in cells were detected by western blot.The activity of SOD was detected by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The NO content in cells was detected with NO fluorescence probe.The level of superoxide anion in HUVECs was detected with dihydropyridine (DHE). The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay was adopted to detect the apoptosis of HUVECs in situ.Results:Compared with the scramble group, the endogenous NO content (2.690±0.420 vs.15.029±2.193, P<0.01), eNOS protein expression (1.000±0.778 vs.3.141±0.199, P<0.01), SOD1 dimer/monomer ratio (4.6±1.0 vs.7.6±2.0, P<0.05) and SOD activity [(0.432±0.254) Carmen′s unit/10 4 cell vs.(1.000±0.116) Carmen′s unit/10 4 cell, P<0.01] were significantly decreased, while the level of intracellular superoxide anion (11.180±1.560 vs.6.146±1.007, P<0.01) and HUVECs apoptosis [75.0 (55.0, 100.0)% vs.0 (0, 0)%, P<0.01] were significantly increased in the eNOS shRNA group.Compared with the eNOS shRNA group, the content of endogenous NO (16.705±0.116 vs.2.690±0.420, P<0.01), the ratio of SOD1 dimer/monomer (7.3±2.0 vs.4.6±1.0, P<0.05) and the activity of SOD [(0.737±0.060) Carmen′s unit/10 4 cell vs.(0.432±0.254) Carmen′s unit/10 4 cell, P<0.05] were significantly increased, while the level of superoxide anion (6.897±1.648 vs.11.180±1.560, P<0.01) and the HUVECs apoptosis [0 (0, 0)% vs.75.0 (55.0, 100.0)%, P<0.01] were significantly decreased in the eNOS shRNA+ SNP group.Compared with the eNOS shRNA + SNP group, the ratio of SOD1 dimer/monomer (4.4±0.9 vs.7.3±2.0, P<0.05) and the activity of SOD [(0.214±0.084) Carmen′s unit/10 4 cell vs.(0.737±0.060) Carmen′s unit/10 4 cell, P<0.01] were significantly decreased, while the level of superoxide anion (10.917±1.552 vs.6.897±1.640, P<0.01) and the apoptosis level of HUVECs[63.6 (55.0, 90.0)% vs.0 (0, 0)%, P<0.01] were significantly increased in the eNOS shRNA+ SNP+ TCEP group.However, there was no significant difference in the NO content (16.112±0.926 vs.16.705±0.116, P>0.05). Conclusions:Endogenous NO could effectively antagonize the apoptosis of endothelial cells by increasing the cysteine-dependent SOD1 dimer/monomer ratio, enhancing SOD activity and inhibiting the accumulation of reactive oxygen species.

Protective effect of recombinant / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

This study probed the protective effect of recombinant

Study on Improvement Effects of Different Proportions of Total Ginsenoside of Ginseng ，Total Glucosides of Moutan Cortex and Paeonol Containing Serum on HUVEC Injury Induced by H 2O2 / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE： To study improvement effects of different proportions of total glucosides of ginseng （TGG）， total glucosides of moutan cortex （TGM） and paeonol containing serum on the injury of human umbilical vein endothelial cells （HUVEC） injury induced by hydrogen peroxide （H2O2）， screen the optimal proportion and investigate its mechanism. METHODS： The rats were randomly divided into blank group （distilled water）， TGG group （TGG， 2.025 g/kg）， TGM group （TGM， 4.05      g/kg） and paeonol group （paeonol， 1.08 g/kg）， with 12 rats in each group. They were given relevant medicine twice a day for consecutive 7 days. 1 h after last medication， the blood samples were collected via abdominal aorta to prepare drug containing serum. Using survival rate of HUVEC as evaluation indexes， different proportions of TGG， TGM and paeonol containing serum as factors， L9（34） orthogonal test was designed to optimize the optimal proportion of 3 kinds of drug containing serum. HUVEC were divided into blank group， model group， TGG group， TGM group， paeonol group and optimal proportion group. Except that blank group were treated with relevant medium， other group were treated with 1.2 mmol/L H2O2 to induce HUVEC injury， and then TGG group （volume fraction of drug containing serum was 0.000 5％）， TGM group （volume fraction of drug containing serum was 0.000 5％）， paeonol group （volume fraction of drug containing serum was 1％） and optimal proportion group were intervened with drug containing serum. The levels of LDH， NO and ET-1 in cells were detected by microplate method and ELISA. RESULTS： The optimal proportion of drug containing serum were TGG 0.000 5％， TGM 0.000 5％ and paeonol 1％. Compared with blank group， the levels of LDH and ET-1 were higher in model group （P＜0.01）， while NO level was lower （P＜0.05）. Compared with model group， the levels of NO were higher in TGG group， TGM group and optimal proportion group （P＜0.01）， while the levels of LDH and ET-1 were lower （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with TGG group， TGM group and paeonol group， the level of LDH was lower in optimal proportion group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）， while the level of NO was higher （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS： TGG and TGM combined with paeonol can significantly improve HUVEC injury induced by H2O2， and the mechanism of which may be associated with the decrease of LDH and ET-1 and the increase of NO.

Effects of short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase on human umbilical vein endothelial cell apoptosis / 中华危重病急救医学

Objective To observe the changes of short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (SCAD) expression on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) apoptosis and investigate its relationship with apoptosis. Methods The HUVEC was cultured normally for 2-3 days. The apoptotic model of HUVEC was established by tert-butyl hydrogen peroxide (tBHP). The HUVEC was treated by different concentrations of tBHP (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 μmol/L) for 12 hours and different time (0, 3, 6, 9, 12 hours) with 50 μmol/L tBHP to establish the apoptotic model of HUVEC. The cell viability was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT), the mRNA expression of SCAD was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the protein expression of SCAD was achieved by Western Blot. The best concentrate and time were determined to interfere the HUVEC to achieve the apoptotic model of HUVEC. The SCAD gene of HUVEC was knocked down by RNA interference sequence (siRNA274, siRNA414, siRNA679). The mRNA expression of SCAD, the protein expression of SCAD and the activity of SCAD enzyme were detected to achieve the best RNA interference sequence. The HUVEC was intervened by the best RNA interference sequence and tBHP. The cell activity and apoptosis rate, the enzyme activity of SCAD, the mRNA and protein expression of SCAD, the contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS), aderosine triphosphate (ATP) and free fatty acid (FFA) were detected to observe the effect of SCAD on apoptosis of HUVEC. Results ① The cell viability, the mRNA expression and the protein expression of SCAD were decreased gradually in a concentration and time dependent manner with the increase of tBHP concentration and the prolongation of intervention time. The decline was most significant in the group of the 50 μmol/L tBHP to interfere HUVEC for 12 hours. ② The siRNA679 transfection was the most significant in reducing SCAD mRNA and protein expressions among the three interference sequences (siRNA274, siRNA414, siRNA679). ③ Compare with blank control group, the cell viability was significantly decreased in the siRNA679 group (A value: 0.48±0.09 vs. 1.00±0.09, P < 0.01), the apoptotic rate of HUVEC was significantly increased [(29.96±2.09)% vs. (2.90±1.90)%, P < 0.01], the expression of SCAD mRNA and SCAD protein, the activity of SCAD enzyme and the content of ATP were significantly decreased [SCAD mRNA (2-ΔΔCt): 0.50±0.16 vs. 1.34±0.12, SCAD/α-Tubulin: 0.67±0.11 vs. 1.00±0.06, the activity of SCAD enzyme (kU/g): 0.38±0.04 vs. 0.53±0.04, the content of ATP (μmol/g): 0.14±0.02 vs. 0.19±0.01, all P < 0.05], the contents of FFA and ROS were significantly increased [FFA (nmol/g): 0.84±0.07 vs. 0.47±0.04, ROS (average fluorescence intensity): 647.5±23.7 vs. 434.2±46.5, both P < 0.01]. Meanwhile, SCAD siRNA treatment triggered the same apoptosis as HUVEC treated with tBHP. Conclusions Down-regulation of SCAD may play an important role in HUVEC apoptosis. Increase in the expression of SCAD may become an important part in intervening HUVEC apoptosis.

Influences of interaction between dengue virus type 2-infected human umbilical vein endothelial cells and macrophages on major inflammatory cytokines / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective To study the influences on the production of major inflammatory cytokines after co-culturing macrophages with human umbilical vein endothelial cells ( HUVECs) that were infected with dengue virus type 2 (DENV-2). Methods Density gradient centrifugation was used to isolate periph-eral blood mononuclear cells ( PBMC) from concentrated human leukocytes. Adherent monocytes in culture flasks were obtained and stimulated with macrophage colony-stimulating factor ( M-CSF) to prepare macro-phages. The purity of CD14+CD11b+ cells was measured by flow cytometry. Changes in the expression of NS1 at mRNA level in HUVECs were detected by real-time PCR following DENV-2 infection. DENV-2-in-fected HUVECs were co-culture with macrophages in Transwell chambers. A control group was set up by pre-treating HUVECs with sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) type 1 (S1P1)-specific receptor agonist CYM-5442 for 24 h to remove the drug before infection and then co-culturing the infected cells with macrophages. Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression at mRNA level of IL-6 and IL-8 in HUVECs and IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and IL-1β in macrophages. A double-antibody sandwich ELISA was used to detect the expression of above cytokines in culture supernatants. Results After HUVECs were infected with DENV-2, expression of NS1 gene at mRNA level gradually increased to the peak at 24 h (2. 66±0. 53, P<0. 05) and then de-creased. The purity of macrophages detected by flow cytometry was (89. 16±2. 07) ％. Expression of IL-6 and IL-8 at mRNA level in DENV-2-infected HUVECs was up-regulated. The peak values reached at 24 h of IL-6 and IL-8 expression were 16. 10±0. 17 and 29. 76±0. 58, while the expression levels at 24 h in the un-infected group were 1. 46±0. 67 and 1. 60±0. 54, respectively. Expression of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-αand IL-1βat mRNA level in DENV-2-infected macrophages was increased significantly. The levels of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-αand IL-1β expression at 24 h were 45. 82±3. 72, 52. 34±1. 69 (12 h), 8. 94±1. 75 and 30. 96±1. 44 in the infected macrophages, and 1. 16±0. 22, 1. 15±0. 21, 1. 11±0. 09 and 1. 47±0. 31 in the uninfected group. Expression of these cytokines was decreased at every time points after co-culturing of DENV-2-infec-ted HUVECs with macrophages, but still significantly higher than that in the uninfected group. In the co-cul-ture group with DENV-2 infection, CYM-5442 pretreatment significantly decreased the expression at mRNA level of IL-6 and IL-8 in HUVECs (P<0. 01) and that of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-αand IL-1βin macrophages (P<0. 01). Conclusions DENV-2 could infect primary HUVECs, and then activate macrophages to promote the secretion of large amounts of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-αand IL-1β. Moreover, the activated macrophages could reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines in HUVECs to a certain extent.

Docosahexaenoic acid reduces adenosine triphosphate-induced calcium influx via inhibition of store-operated calcium channels and enhances baseline endothelial nitric oxide synthase phosphorylation in human endothelial cells

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3-fatty acid, modulates multiple cellular functions. In this study, we addressed the effects of DHA on human umbilical vein endothelial cell calcium transient and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation under control and adenosine triphosphate (ATP, 100 µM) stimulated conditions. Cells were treated for 48 h with DHA concentrations from 3 to 50 µM. Calcium transient was measured using the fluorescent dye Fura-2-AM and eNOS phosphorylation was addressed by western blot. DHA dose-dependently reduced the ATP stimulated Ca²⁺-transient. This effect was preserved in the presence of BAPTA (10 and 20 µM) which chelated the intracellular calcium, but eliminated after withdrawal of extracellular calcium, application of 2-aminoethoxy-diphenylborane (75 µM) to inhibit store-operated calcium channel or thapsigargin (2 µM) to delete calcium store. In addition, DHA (12 µM) increased ser1177/thr495 phosphorylation of eNOS under baseline conditions but had no significant effect on this ratio under conditions of ATP stimulation. In conclusion, DHA dose-dependently inhibited the ATP-induced calcium transient, probably via store-operated calcium channels. Furthermore, DHA changed eNOS phosphorylation suggesting activation of the enzyme. Hence, DHA may shift the regulation of eNOS away from a Ca²⁺ activated mode to a preferentially controlled phosphorylation mode.

Influence of aspirin on platelet activation during vascular endothelial injury induced by high blood glucose fluctuations / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the influence of aspirin on platelet activation during vascular endothelial injury induced by high blood glucose fluctuations .Methods In this study , "fluctuant high blood glucose cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cell ( HUVEC ) mod-el" and "human platelet-HUVEC supernate experi-mental system" were established in vitro, as well as type 2 diabetes mellitus ( T2DM) rat model with high blood glucose fluctuation in vivo. There were four groups: normal glucose ( N ) , steady high glucose (W), fluctuant high glucose ( B), and aspirin group ( ASA) .At the end of the study , the peripheral blood platelet maximum aggregation rate , levels of sE-selec-tin, von Willebrand factor ( vWF ) and platelet mem-brane protein level of CD62p were determined.Results In comparison with N group, levels of sE-selectin,vWF, the platelet maximum aggregation rate and plate-let membrane protein level of CD 62 p in W group and B group all significantly increased ( P <0.01 ) , mean-while B group significantly increased further compared with W group ( P <0.05 or P <0.01 ) .Pretreatment with ASA significantly decreased the elevated levels of sE-selectin, vWF, the platelet maximum aggregation rate and CD62p induced by high glucose fluctuations (P<0.01).Conclusions High blood glucose fluctu-ations can not only aggravate endothelial injury , but al-so promote platelet aggregation obviously , while aspirin has obvious antagonistic effects on these effects .

Mechanism of gambogenic acid in resisting angiogenesis of lung cancer in vitro / 中国中药杂志

The aim of this paper was to observe the effect of gambogenic acid on angiogenesis of lung cancer and its preliminary mechanism. After culturing lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells, the conditioned medium was treated with gambogenic acid and then used to culture human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to establish the indirect contact cell co-culture system. A two-dimensional culture model of HUVEC was established with matrigel to observe the effect of gambogenic acid on angiogenesis. DAPI staining was used to observe the morphological changes in HUVEC cells after treatment with gambogenic acid under the fluorescence microscope. Annexin V-FITC/PI staining and flow cytometry analysis were used to determine gambogenic acid's effect on HUVEC cell apoptosis rate. The protein expressions of PI3K, p-PI3K, Akt, p-Akt were measured by Western blot. PTEN-siRNA was transfected into cells, and RT-PCR was used to detect the expression levels of PI3K and Akt genes. Gambogenic acid can significantly inhibit angiogenesis, and its inhibitory effect was dose-dependent. DAPI staining showed apoptotic morphological features of HUVEC cells under fluorescence microscope. Annexin V-FITC/PI staining showed that gambogenic acid induced apoptosis in HUVECs. The results of Western blot showed that the expressions of p-PI3K and p-Akt protein were down-regulated with gambogenic acid, while the expressions of PI3K and Akt protein was insignificant. The results of RT-PCR indicated that the expressions of PI3K and Akt protein were up-regulated by PTEN siRNA. Gambogenic acid can inhibit angiogenesis in lung cancer in vitro, and the mechanism of inhibiting angiogenesis may be related to the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Paeoniflorin Promotes Angiogenesis in A Vascular Insufficiency Model of Zebrafish in vivo and in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells in vitro / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the pro-angiogenic effects of paeoniflorin (PF) in a vascular insufficiency model of zebrafish and in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In vivo, the pro-angiogenic effects of PF were tested in a vascular insufficiency model in the Tg(fli-1:EGFP)y1 transgenic zebrafish. The 24 h post fertilization (hpf) embryos were pretreated with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor II (VRI) for 3 h to establish the vascular insufficiency model and then post-treated with PF for 24 h. The formation of intersegmental vessels (ISVs) was observed with a fluorescence microscope. The mRNA expression of fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (flt-1), kinase insert domain receptor (kdr), kinase insert domain receptor like (kdrl) and von Willebrand factor (vWF) were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In vitro, the pro-angiogenic effects of PF were observed in HUVECs in which cell proliferation, migration and tube formation were assessed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>PF (6.25-100 μmol/L) could rescue VRI-induced blood vessel loss in zebrafish and PF (25-100 μmol/L), thereby restoring the mRNA expressions of flt-1, kdr, kdrl and vWF, which were down-regulated by VRI treatment. In addition, PF (0.001-0.03 μmol/L) could promote the proliferation of HUVECs while PF stimulated HUVECs migration at 1.0-10 μmol/L and tube formation at 0.3 μmol/L.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PF could promote angiogenesis in a vascular insufficiency model of zebrafish in vivo and in HUVECs in vitro.</p>

Co-culture of human breast adenocarcinoma cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells to mimic in vivo tumor microenvironment / 药学学报

The development of tumor tissue is a complicated process, which is closely related to tumor microenvironment. In order to simulate the tumor tissue in vivo, non-contact co-culture of human breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7 cells) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs cells) using transwell cell culture plate was developed in this study. The cell viability, morphology, cell resistance, cell cycle and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein content of co-cultured MCF-7 and HUVECs cells were investigated, and compared with those of separately cultivated MCF-7 and HUVECs cells during the same period. Different to the separately cultured MCF-7 and HUVECs cells, co-cultured MCF-7 and HUVECs cells exhibited higher cell viability, deformed cell morphology, lower cell resistance, higher proportion of S and G2/M phases and higher VEGF protein content (about 1.4−2 times). The double cell model via non-contact co-culture of MCF-7 and HUVECs cells constructed in this study could simulate the interaction between tumor cells and tumor vascular endothelial cells in vivo, which may provide a more realistic model for subsequent study of drug release system in the control of breast cancer in vitro.

Protective effect of sulodexide on ox-LDL induced damage to human umbilical vein endothelial cells and its mechanism / 介入放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the protective effect of sulodexide (SDX) on oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) induced damage to human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC),and to discuss its mechanism.Methods By using CCK-8 method,the ox-LDL intervention HUVEC dose and the concentration of SDX were determined.The reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay kit was used to verify the protective effect of SDX on HUVEC.Real time fluorescent quantitation-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to test the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and caveolin-1 mRNA expression;immunoblot assay was adopted to check the protein expression of phosphorylated eNOS (p-eNOS) and caveolin-1.The ability of cell migration was assessed by Transwell assay.Results Stimulated by 100 μg/ml concentration of ox-LDL,the cell viability of HUVEC decreased significantly (P＜0.01).After adding 125 LRU/ml concentration of LDX,the cell viability of HUVEC was remarkably improved (P＜0.01) and the production of ROS was strikingly decreased (P＜0.01).SDX could down-regulate the expression of caveolin-1 (P＜0.05) and up-regulate the expression of eNOS mRNA and p-eNOS (P＜0.05) for ox-LDL-damaged HUVEC,and markedly improve the migration ability of damaged HUVEC (P＜0.01).Conclusion By regulating the caveolin-1/eNOS signal route,SDX can improve impaired HUVEC cell migration ability,thus,to protect endothelial cells.

Immune response of human umbilical vein endothelial cell to recombinant hemagglutinin protein of influenza virus / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the innate immunity of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) after recombinant hemagglutinin (HA) protein of influenza virus innoculation.@*Methods@#HUVECs were divided into four groups: control, H9N2 viral particle, recombinant H3HA and recombinant H5HA. After 24 h of innoculation, the supernatant of the culture was extracted and the HUVECs were lysed. The levels of cytokine in HUVEC were measured by real-time PCR and ELISA.@*Results@#The mRNA and protein expression of IFNB1 and the mRNA expression of CCL5 and IFITM3 in HUVECs of HA (H3HA and H9HA) innoculated group did not show significant difference compared to control (IFNB1 mRNA and protein expression of H3HA group, P=0.051, 0.839; IFNB1 mRNA and protein expression of H9HA group, P=0.127, 0.561; CCL5 mRNA expression of H3HA and H9HA croups, P=0.314, 0.429; IFITM3 mRNA expression of H3HA and H9HA croups, P=0.530, 0.269). The mRNA expression of CCL5 and IFITM3 in HUVECs of H9N2 viral particle innoculated group increased significantly compared to control (P=0.022, 0.047).@*Conclusions@#These results suggest that recombinant HA alone did not trigger innate immunity in HUVEC, but viral particle could activate endothelial innate immunity.

Effect of germacrone in alleviating HUVECs damaged by H2O2-induced oxidative stress / 中国中药杂志

This study focuses on the protective effect of germacrone on human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) damaged by H2O2-induced oxidative stress and its possible mechanisms. The oxidative damage model was established by using 500 μmol•L⁻¹ H2O2 to treat HUVECs for 3 hours, and then protected with different concentrations of germacrone for 24 hours. The effect of germacrone on cell viability of HUVECs damaged by H2O2 was detected by MTT. The contents of PGI2, TXB2, ET-1, t-PA, PAI-1, TNF-α and IL-6 were detected by ELISA. The content of NO was detected by using nitrate reductase method. Colorimetry was used to detect NOS and GSH-Px. The contents of MDA, SOD and LDH were detected by TBA, WST-1 and microplate respectively. Apoptosis was observed by Hoechst 33258 fluorescent staining. The mRNA expressions of Bax, Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 in cells were detected by RT-PCR. The results showed that the cell damage rate was 52% after treated with 500 μmol•L⁻¹ H2O2 for 3 hours. The cell activity was increasing with the rise of germacrone concentration within the range of 20-200 mol•L⁻¹. Compared with normal group, the contents of PGI2, NO, T-NOS, t-PA, SOD, GSH-Px and Bcl-2 mRNA expressions were lower after damaged with H2O2. The contents of PAI-1, ET-1, IL-6, TNF-α, TXB2, LDH, MDA, Bax mRNA and Caspase-3 mRNA expressions were increased. Compared with model group, the contents of PGI2, NO, T-NOS, t-PA, SOD, GSH-Px and Bcl-2 mRNA expressions were increased after treated with germacrone. The contents of PAI-1, ET-1, IL-6, TNF-α, TXB2, LDH, MDA, Bax mRNA and Caspase-3 mRNA expressions were lower after treated with germacrone. According to Hoechst 33258 fluorescence staining, compared with normal group, the cell membrane and the nucleus showed strong dense blue fluorescence, and the number of cells significantly decreased in model group. Compared with model group, blue fluorescence intensity decreased in drug group. The above findings demonstrate that germacrone may improve the effect on HUVECs damaged by H2O2-induced oxidative stress by resisting oxidation and inhibiting cell apoptosis.

CCM3 down-regulating the lead acetate-induced migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells / 中国职业医学

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of knockout cerebral cavernous malformation(CCM) virulence gene CCM3 on the migration induced by lead acetate in immortalized human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs) and to explore the possible mechanism of endoplasmic reticulum stress(ERS). METHODS: CCM3 wildtype(CCM3-WT) and CCM3 knockout(CCM3-KO) HUVECs were used as experimental cells. a) CCM3-WT and CCM3-KO HUVECs were treated with lead acetate at 0,10,50 and 200 μmol/L for 24 hours. The migration of these cells was observed by woundhealing assay. b) CCM3-WT and CCM3-KO HUVECs were treated with lead acetate at 0,10,50 and 200 μmol/L for 24 hours,and at 50 μmol/L for 0,6,12,24 and 48 hours,and the mRNA expression of genes of unfolded protein response pathway were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction; the protein expression of glucose-regulated protein 78(GRP78) was detected by Western blotting. c) CCM3-WT and CCM3-KO HUVECs were divided into lead exposure group and tauroursodeoxycholic acid(TUDCA) group. The former was treated with 50 μmol/L lead acetate for 24 hours,and the latter was pre-treated with ERS inhibitor TUDCA,followed by 50 μmol/L lead acetate. The migration of these cells was observed by wound-healing assay. RESULTS: a) The migration of CCM3-WT and CCM3-KO cells decreased and showed a dose-effect relationship with the increase of lead acetate concentration(P < 0. 05). b) The mRNA relative expression of the GRP78,protein kinase-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK),transcription activator 4(ATF4) and CCAAT enhancer binding homologous protein(CHOP) in CCM3-KO cells treated with 10,50 and 200 μmol/L lead acetate were higher than that in CCM3-WT cells at the same doses,except for the GRP78 in CCM3-KO cells treated with10 μmol/L lead acetate(P < 0. 05). The mRNA expression of PERK and CHOP in CCM3-KO cells increased in a timeeffect relationship with the increase of lead-exposure time(P < 0. 05). The mRNA relative expression of the four genes in CCM3-KO cells were higher than those in CCM3-WT cells at 48 hours(P < 0. 05). When cells were treated with 50μmol/L lead acetate,the protein expression of GRP78 in CCM3-KO cells was higher than that in CCM3-WT cells(P <0. 05),and the protein expression of GRP78 in CCM3-KO cells increased in a time-effect relationship with the increase of lead-exposure time(P < 0. 05). c) The cell migration of TUDCA group was lower than that of lead-exposure group(P <0. 05). CONCLUSION: Lead acetate may activate ERS by activating the PERK-ATF4-CHOP signaling pathway,thereby reducing the migration of HUVECs. CCM3 gene has a protective effect on cell migration.

A study of inhibitory effect of ulinastatin on hyper-permeability of endothelium induced by TNF-α / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective To investigate the influence of Ulinastatin (UTI) on the hyper-permeability of vascular endothelial cells induced by tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α).Methods Inflammation model was induced by TNF-α in human umbilical vein endothelial cell line (EA.hy926).The experiment was designed into 4 groups:normal group,TNF-α group,UTI group and TNF-α with UTI (U + T) group.Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) method and epithelial voltameter (EVOM) method were used to measure cell viability [absorbance (A) value] and transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) of EA.hy926 cells respectively.The expression of VE-cadherin was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunocytochemistry.Results Compared with normal group,the TER of EA.hy926 cells induced by TNF-α was significantly decreased (67.200 ± 8.937 vs.33.600 ± 8.771,P =0.010).The permeability in EA.hy926 cells increased obviously.The hyper-permeability of EA.hy926 cells induced by TNF-α could be alleviated by UTI at the concentrations of 1-100 U/mL in a dose-dependent manner (40.133 ±7.484 vs.33.600 ±8.771,P=0.382;49.232 ± 3.162 vs.33.600 ± 8.771,P =0.044;63.700 ± 8.515 vs.33.600 ± 8.771,P =0.013).The expression of VE-cadherin mRNA reduced significantly in the TNF-α group (1.089 ±0.018 vs.0.835±0.021,P =0.000) compared with normal group.This effect of TNF-α could be attenuated by UTI.When EA.hy926 cells exposed to UTI at 10 U/mL and 100 U/mL,a significant increase of the expression of VE-cadherin mRNA was observed (0.976 ±0.014 vs.0.835 ±0.021,P =0.001;1.115 ±0.015 vs.0.835 ± 0.021,P =0.000).And the inhibition of UTI manifested a dose-dependent manner (1-100 U/mL).The results of the immunocytochemistry showed that the expression of VE-cadherin in TNF-o group was decreased significantly (0.061 ± 0.013 vs.0.093 ± 0.014,P =0.049) compared with normal group.And the low-expression of VE-cadherin could be alleviated by UTI (0.032 ± 0.004 vs.0.061 ± 0.013,P =0.016).Conclusion The high permeability of EA.hy926 cells induced by TNF-α could be inhibited by UTI at the concentrations of 1-100 U/mL in a dose-dependent manner.

Knockdown of ezrin suppresses the migration and angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Progressive tumor growth is dependent on angiogenesis. The mechanisms by which endothelial cells (ECs) are incorporated to develop new blood vessels are not well understood. Recent studies reveal that the ezrin radixin moesin (ERM) family members are key regulators of cellular activities such as adhesion, morphogenetic change, and migration. We hypothesized that ezrin, one of the ERM family members, may play important roles in ECs organization during angiogenesis, and new vessels formation in preexisting tissues. To test this hypothesis, in this study, we investigated the effects of ezrin gene silencing on the migration and angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in vitro. HUVECs were transfected with plasmids with ezrin-targeting short hairpin RNA by using the lipofectamine-2000 system. Wound assay in vitro and three-dimensional culture were used to detect the migration and angiogenesis capacity of HUVECs. The morphological changes of transfected cells were observed by confocal and phase contrast microscopy. Our results demonstrated that the decreased expression of ezrin in HUVECs significantly induced the morphogenetic changes and cytoskeletal reorganization of the transfected cells, and also reduced cell migration and angiogenesis capacity in vitro, suggesting that ezrin play an important role in the process of HUVECs migration and angiogenesis.

Pro-angiogenic activity of notoginsenoside R1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro and in a chemical-induced blood vessel loss model of zebrafish in vivo / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>This study aimed at investigating whether notoginsenoside R1 (R1), a unique saponin found in Panax notoginseng could promote angiogenic activity on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and elucidate their potential molecular mechanisms. In addition, vascular restorative activities of R1 was assessed in a chemically-induced blood vessel loss model in zebrafish.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The in vitro angiogenic effect of R1 was compared with other previously reported angiogenic saponins Rg1 and Re. The HUVECs proliferation in the presence of R1 was determined by cell proliferation kit II (XTT) assay. R1, Rg1 and Re-induced HUVECs invasion across polycarbonate membrane was stained with Hoechst-33342 and quantified microscopically. Tube formation assay using matrigelcoated wells was performed to evaluate the pro-angiogenic actions of R1. In order to understand the mechanism underlying the pro-angiogenic effect, various pathway inhibitors such as SU5416, wortmannin (wort) or L-Nω-nitro- L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME), SH-6 were used to probe the possible involvement of signaling pathway in the R1 mediated HUVECs proliferation. In in vivo assays, zebrafish embryos at 21 hpf were pre-treated with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor kinase inhibitor II (VRI) for 3 h only and subsequently post-treated with R1 for 48 h, respectively. The intersegmental vessels (ISVs) in zebrafish were assessed for the restorative effect of R1 on defective blood vessels.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>R1 could stimulate the proliferation of HUVECs. In the chemoinvasion assay, R1 significantly increased the number of cross-membrane HUVECs. In addition, R1 markedly enhanced the tube formation ability of HUVECs. The proliferative effects of these saponins on HUVECs were effectively blocked by the addition of SU5416 (a VEGF-KDR/Flk-1 inhibitor). Similarly, pre-treatment with wort [a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-kinase inhibitor], L-NAME [an endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) inhibitor] or SH-6 (an Akt pathway inhibitor) significantly abrogated the R1 induced proliferation of HUVECs. In chemicallyinduced blood vessel loss model in zebrafish, R1 significantly rescue the damaged ISVs.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>R1, similar to Rg1 and Re, had been showed pro-angiogenic action, possibly via the activation of the VEGF-KDR/Flk-1 and PI3K-Akt-eNOS signaling pathways. Our findings also shed light on intriguing pro-angiogenic effect of R1 under deficient angiogenesis condition in a pharmacologic-induced blood vessels loss model in zebrafish. The present study in vivo and in vitro provided scientific evidence to explain the ethnomedical use of Panax notoginseng in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, traumatic injuries and wound healing.</p>

ADSCs promotes the proliferation and vascularization of HUVECs when co-cultured in vitro / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT:Objective For preparation of vascularized islets , to isolate and culture human adipose derived stem cells , investigate the role of adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs ) in promoting the proliferation and vascularization of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs ) co‐cultured in vitro , and explore its mechanism .Methods ADSCs and HUVECs were isolated by collagenase digestion method ,then cultured ,and identified by morphology ,immunofluorescence or multi‐directional differentiation .The co‐culture system of ADSCs and HUVECs was established , HUVECs cultured alone were set up for control group . The proliferation , vascularization and concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (b‐FGF)in the supernatant were compared between the two groups .Results The third generational ADSCs had uniform long spindle fiberous morphology and multi‐directional differentiational function . Immunofluorescence test of surface antigens on ADSCs revealed CD44/CD49d (+ ) ,CD31/CD34 (-) ,on HUVECs CD31/vWF (+ ) . High vascular density was found when co‐cultured in Matrigel of ADSCs and HUVECs than alone of HUVECs .Growth curve shown at days 3 , 4 and 5 of the logarithmic phase , HUVECs count in co‐culture group of ADSCs and HUVECs was (4 .52 ± 0 .31) × 104 ,(7 .18 ± 0 .45) × 104 ,and (8 .23 ± 0 .36) × 104 under indirect co‐culture condition , while that in individual HUVECs group was (2 .71 ± 0 .25) × 104 ,(4 .87 ± 0 .26) × 104 ,and (6 .86 ± 0 .33) × 104 ( P<0 .01) .Population doubling time of HUVECs was shorter in co‐culture group than in individual group .Also ,the OD value of HUVECs was higher in co‐culture group than in individual group when cultured at days 1 ,3 ,5 and 7 ( P<0 .01) .When cultured at days 3 ,7 and 13 ,the concentration of VEGF and b‐FGF in the supernatant was higher in co‐culture group than in individual group ( P< 0 .01 ) . Conclusion ADSCs can promote the proliferation and vascularization of HUVECs in vitro co‐culture conditions by secreting or increasing the HUVECs secretion of VEGF and b‐FGF .