Role of nuclear factor-kappaB in apoptosis pathway of HUVEC / 中国应用生理学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the role of nuclear factor-kappaB in apoptosis pathway of HUVEC.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The cell lines of HUVEC cultured in vitro were divided into three groups normal control group, Ang II group, and Gliotoxin group. We investigated the effects of Ang II (0.01 micromol/L, 0.1 micromol/L, 1 micromol/L and 10 micromol/L) on the viability of HUVEC with modified MTT. Then agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry were applied to detect the apoptosis of HUVEC. Finally, the nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB subunit p65 was evaluated by immunocytochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The viability of HUVEC decreased significantly after incubated with 10 micromol/L Ang II for 24 hours. The results of DNA agarose gel and flow cytometry showed that 10 micromol/L Ang II induced the apoptosis of HUVEC, and the apoptosis rate was significantlyhigher than normal control group (P < 0.05). 0.1 mg/L Gliotoxin antagonized this effect of Ang II. The results of immunocytochemistry suggested that NF-kappaB was activated in HUVEC induced by 10 micromol/L Ang II. In contrast, Gliotoxin inhibited the activation of NF-kappaB in HUVEC induced by Ang II.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>(1) Ang II can induce the apoptosis of HUVEC, while the inhibitor of NF-kappaB, Gliotoxin, can antagonize the effect of Ang II. (2) NF-kappaB may play an important role in apoptosis pathway of HUVEC induced by Ang II.</p>