RESUMO
AIM: To investigate the affected proteins by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-? in endothelial cells, and further explore the potential molecular mechanism of TNF-? on endothelial cells. METHODS: Nitric oxide (NO) production in the cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was measured by a NO assay kit. Proteomic alterations were analyzed using two-dimensional electrophoresis, and peptide mass fingerprinting with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. RESULTS: NO production in HUVECs decreased significantly after TNF-? treatement. Proteomics analysis showed 21 protein spots were changed including 9 spots that were increased and 11 spots that were decreased after TNF-? stimulation, and 1 spot was only detected in TNF-? activated cell gels. CONCLUSIONS: The decreased expression of ecNOS by TNF-? might result in decrease in NO production. Up-regulated MAP/ERK kinase 3 expression might imply that TNF-? activates the expression of adhesion molecules. Cytoskeletal protein actin is also involved in TNF-? injuried HUVECs. Proteomic analysis can find some clues for identifying new potential target of TNF-?. [