Analyzing the pharmacological substances and targets of Xuefu Zhuyu decoction in hypertensive vascular endothelial cells

Background:Xuefu Zhuyu decoction(XFZY)could significantly improve the function of hypertensive vascular endothelial cells,but the targets and mechanism are not clear.This study is to analyze the pharmacological substances and targets of Xuefu Zhuyu decoction in hypertensive vascular endothelial cells.Methods:This study used Xuefu Zhuyu decoction to intervene human umbilical vein endothelial cells incubated by hypertensive patients’serum,then detected the function of vascular endothelial cells.The aqueous extract of XFZY was analyzed and validated by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry technology;Finally,macromolecular docking technology was used to analyze the potential active substances and targets of XFZY in the prevention and treatment of hypertension.Results:Compared with the model group,the XFZY group showed a significant increase in NO expression(P<0.01)and a significant decrease in ET-1 expression(P<0.001);and the expression of BIP,P-JNK,CHOP,and BAX in XFZY group cells was significantly decreased(P<0.001),while the expression of JNK and BCL2 was significantly increased(P<0.001).19 main compounds were identified in XFZY and there were 3 pairs of molecular complexes with high affinity for markers of the endoplasmic reticulum stress,including BIP-Hesperidin complex,BIP-HSYA complex and JNK-Naringin complex.Conclusion:This study analyzed the potential pharmacodynamic substance and targets of Xuefu Zhuyu decoction in improving the function of hypertensive vascular endothelial cells,which could provide a scientific basis for the future molecular mechanism of XFZY in treating hypertension.

Ferroptosis inhibition protects vascular endothelial cells and maintains integrity of the blood-spinal cord barrier after spinal cord injury

Maintaining the integrity of the blood-spinal cord barrier is critical for the recove ry of spinal cord injury.Ferro ptosis contributes to the pathogenesis of spinal cord injury.We hypothesized that ferroptosis is involved in disruption of the blood-s pinal cord barrier.In this study,we administe red the ferroptosis inhibitor liproxstatin-1 intraperitoneally after contusive spinal co rd injury in rats.Liproxstatin-1 improved locomotor recovery and somatosensory evoked potential electrophysiological performance after spinal cord inju ry.Liproxstatin-1 maintained blood-spinal cord barrier integrity by upregulation of the expression of tight junction protein.Liproxstatin-1 inhibited ferroptosis of endothelial cell after spinal cord injury,as shown by the immunofluorescence of an endothelial cell marker(rat endothelium cell antigen-1,RECA-1) and fe rroptosis markers Acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 and 15-lipoxygenase.Liproxstatin-1reduced brain endothelial cell ferroptosis in vitro by upregulating glutathione peroxidase 4 and downregulating Acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member4 and 15-lipoxygenase.Furthermore,inflammatory cell recruitment and astrogliosis were mitigated after liproxstatin-1 treatment.In summary,liproxstatin-1im proved spinal cord injury recovery by inhibiting ferroptosis in endothelial cells and maintaining blood-s pinal co rd barrier integrity.

Integrin binding peptides facilitate growth and interconnected vascular-like network formation of rat primary cortical vascular endothelial cells in vitro

Neovascularization and angiogenesis in the brain are important physiological processes for normal brain development and repair/regeneration following insults. Integrins are cell surface adhesion receptors mediating important function of cells such as survival, growth and development during tissue organization, differentiation and organogenesis. In this study, we used an integrin-binding array platform to identify the important types of integrins and their binding peptides that facilitate adhesion, growth, development, and vascular-like network formation of rat primary brain microvascular endothelial cells. Brain microvascular endothelial cells were isolated from rat brain on post-natal day 7. Cells were cultured in a custom-designed integrin array system containing short synthetic peptides binding to 16 types of integrins commonly expressed on cells in vertebrates. After 7 days of culture, the brain microvascular endothelial cells were processed for immunostaining with markers for endothelial cells including von Willibrand factor and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule. 5-Bromo-2′-dexoyuridine was added to the culture at 48 hours prior to fixation to assess cell proliferation. Among 16 integrins tested, we found that α5β1, αvβ5 and αvβ8 greatly promoted proliferation of endothelial cells in culture. To investigate the effect of integrin-binding peptides in promoting neovascularization and angiogenesis, the binding peptides to the above three types of integrins were immobilized to our custom-designed hydrogel in three-dimensional(3 D) culture of brain microvascular endothelial cells with the addition of vascular endothelial growth factor. Following a 7-day 3 D culture, the culture was fixed and processed for double labeling of phalloidin with von Willibrand factor or platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule and assessed under confocal microscopy. In the 3 D culture in hydrogels conjugated with the integrin-binding peptide, brain microvascular endothelial cells formed interconnected vascular-like network with clearly discernable lumens, which is reminiscent of brain microvascular network in vivo. With the novel integrin-binding array system, we identified the specific types of integrins on brain microvascular endothelial cells that mediate cell adhesion and growth followed by functionalizing a 3 D hydrogel culture system using the binding peptides that specifically bind to the identified integrins, leading to robust growth and lumenized microvascular-like network formation of brain microvascular endothelial cells in 3 D culture. This technology can be used for in vitro and in vivo vascularization of transplants or brain lesions to promote brain tissue regeneration following neurological insults.

Inhibition of proliferation of retinal vascular endothelial cells more effectively than choroidal vascular endothelial cell proliferation by bevacizumab

AIM： To evaluate the differential inhibitory effects of bevacizumab on cell proliferation of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）-stimulated choroidal vascular endothelial cells （CVECs） and retinal vascular endothelial cells （RVECs） in vitro.METHODS： VEGF （400 ng/mL） enriched CVECs and RVECs were treated with escalating doses of bevacizumab （0.1, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 mg/mL）. Cell proliferation changes were analyzed with WST-1 assay and trypan blue exclusion assay at 48, 72h and 1wk. Morphological changes were recorded with bright field microscopy.RESULTS： VEGF enriched RVECs showed significantly more decline of cell viability than CVECs after bevacizumab treatment. One week after treatment, RVEC cell proliferation decreased by 29.7%, 37.5%, 52.8%, 35.9% and 45.6% at 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2 mg/mL bevacizumab respectively compared to CVEC proliferation decrease of 4.1%, 7.7%, 2.4%, 4.1% and 17.7% （P〈0.05） by WST-1 assay. Trypan blue exclusion assay also revealed similar decrease in RVEC proliferation of 20%, 60%, 73.3%, 80% and 93.3% compared to CVEC proliferation decrease of 4%, 12%, 22.9%, 16.7% and 22.2% respectively （P〈0.05）. The maximum differential effect between the two cell types was observed at bevacizumab doses of 1.0 and 1.5 mg/mL at all time points. RVECs were 22 fold more sensitive （P〈0.01） compared to CVECs （52.8% vs 2.4%） at concentration of 1.0 mg/mL, and 8.7 fold more at 1.5 mg/mL （35.9% vs 4.1%） 1wk after treatment （P〈0.05 respectively）.CONCLUSION： VEGF-enriched RVECs are more susceptible to bevacizumab inhibition than CVECs at clinically used dosage of 1.25 mg and this differential sensitivity between two cell types should be taken into consideration in dosage selection.

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes inhibit the VEGF-A expression in human retinal vascular endothelial cells induced by high glucose

AIM:To determine the effect of exosomes derived from human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells(hUCMSCs)on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGF-A)in human retinal vascular endothelial cells(HRECs).METHODS:Exosomes were isolated from hUCMSCs using cryogenic ultracentrifugation and characterized by transmission electron microscopy,Western blotting and nanoparticle tracking analysis.HRECs were randomly divided into a normal control group(group A),a high glucose model group(group B),a high glucose group with 25μg/mL(group C),50μg/mL(group D),and 100μg/mL exosomes(group E).Twenty-four hours after coculture,the cell proliferation rate was detected using flow cytometry,and the VEGF-A level was detected using immunofluorescence.After coculture 8,16,and 24h,the expression levels of VEGF-A in each group were detected using PCR and Western blots.RESULTS:The characteristic morphology(membrane structured vesicles)and size(diameter between 50 and 200 nm)were observed under transmission electron microscopy.The average diameter of 122.7 nm was discovered by nanoparticle tracking analysis(NTA).The exosomal markers CD9,CD63,and HSP70 were strongly detected.The proliferation rate of the cells in group B increased after 24h of coculture.Immunofluorescence analyses revealed that the upregulation of VEGF-A expression in HRECs stimulated by high glucose could be downregulated by cocultured hUCMSC-derived exosomes(F=39.03,P<0.01).The upregulation of VEGF-A protein(group C:F=7.96;group D:F=17.29;group E:F=11.89;8h:F=9.45;16h:F=12.86;24h:F=42.28,P<0.05)and mRNA(group C:F=4.137;group D:F=13.64;group E:F=22.19;8h:F=7.253;16h:F=16.98;24h:F=22.62,P<0.05)in HRECs stimulated by high glucose was downregulated by cocultured hUCMSC-derived exosomes(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:hUCMSC-derived exosomes downregulate VEGF-A expression in HRECs stimulated by high glucose in time and concentration dependent manner.

Inhibition of viability of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells by vialinin A under high glucose condition

AIM:To investigate the effects of vialinin A on viability of human retinal endothelial cells(HRECs)under high glucose condition and its potential mechanism.METHODS:The HRECs were divided into four groups:normal glucose control group(NG,5 mmol/L D-glucose),high glucose group(HG,30 mmol/L D-glucose),HG+1μmol/L vialinin A group,and HG+5μmol/L vialinin A group.The cell viabilities were measured with cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)assay for proliferation,with scratch assay for migration,and tube formation,for evaluation of the impact of vialinin A on cellular behaviour.Real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to determine the expression level of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF).RESULTS:The proliferative capacity and migration of HRECs was reduced by 5μmol/L vialinin A in high glucose environment(both P<0.05).Vialinin A also inhibited highglucose-induced tube formation of HRECs.The expression level of VEGF and PI3K in HRECs was also significantly decreased by vialinin A(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Vialinin A inhibits the cell viability of HRECs.It may serve as a potential target for anti-angiogenic therapy.

Neural stem cell-derived exosomes regulate cell proliferation,migration,and cell death of brain microvascular endothelial cells via the miR-9/Hes1 axis under hypoxia

Background:Our previous study found that mouse embryonic neural stem cell(NSC)-derived exosomes(EXOs)regulated NSC differentiation via the miR-9/Hes1 axis.However,the effects of EXOs on brain microvascular endothelial cell(BMEC)dysfunction via the miR-9/Hes1 axis remain unknown.Therefore,the current study aimed to determine the effects of EXOs on BMEC proliferation,migration,and death via the miR-9/Hes1 axis.Methods:Immunofluorescence,quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction,cell counting kit-8 assay,wound healing assay,calcein-acetoxymethyl/propidium iodide staining,and hematoxylin and eosin staining were used to determine the role and mechanism of EXOs on BMECs.Results:EXOs promoted BMEC proliferation and migration and reduced cell death under hypoxic conditions.The overexpression of miR-9 promoted BMEC prolifera-tion and migration and reduced cell death under hypoxic conditions.Moreover,miR-9 downregulation inhibited BMEC proliferation and migration and also promoted cell death.Hes1 silencing ameliorated the effect of amtagomiR-9 on BMEC proliferation and migration and cell death.Hyperemic structures were observed in the regions of the hippocampus and cortex in hypoxia-induced mice.Meanwhile,EXO treatment improved cerebrovascular alterations.Conclusion:NSC-derived EXOs can promote BMEC proliferation and migra-tion and reduce cell death via the miR-9/Hes1 axis under hypoxic conditions.Therefore,EXO therapeutic strategies could be considered for hypoxia-induced vascular injury.

Crosstalk among Oxidative Stress,Autophagy,and Apoptosis in the Protective Effects of Ginsenoside Rb1 on Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells:A Mixed Computational and Experimental Study

Objective Brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) were found to shift from their usually inactive state to an active state in ischemic stroke (IS) and cause neuronal damage. Ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1),a component derived from medicinal plants,is known for its pharmacological benefits in IS,but its protective effects on BMECs have yet to be explored. This study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of GRb1 on BMECs. Methods An in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) model was established to mimic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Bulk RNA-sequencing data were analyzed by using the Human Autophagy Database and various bioinformatic tools,including gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA),Gene Ontology (GO) classification and enrichment analysis,Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis,protein-protein interaction network analysis,and molecular docking. Experimental validation was also performed to ensure the reliability of our findings. Results Rb1 had a protective effect on BMECs subjected to OGD/R injury. Specifically,GRb1 was found to modulate the interplay between oxidative stress,apoptosis,and autophagy in BMECs. Key targets such as sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1/p62),autophagy related 5 (ATG5),and hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) were identified,highlighting their potential roles in mediating the protective effects of GRb1 against IS-induced damage. Conclusion GRbl protects BMECs against OGD/R injury by influencing oxidative stress,apoptosis,and autophagy. The identification of SQSTM1/p62,ATG5,and HIF-1α as promising targets further supports the potential of GRb1 as a therapeutic agent for IS,providing a foundation for future research into its mechanisms and applications in IS treatment.

Gamma-glutamyl transferase 5 overexpression in cerebrovascular endothelial cells improves brain pathology,cognition,and behavior in APP/PS1 mice

In patients with Alzheimer’s disease,gamma-glutamyl transferase 5(GGT5)expression has been observed to be downregulated in cerebrovascular endothelial cells.However,the functional role of GGT5 in the development of Alzheimer’s disease remains unclear.This study aimed to explore the effect of GGT5 on cognitive function and brain pathology in an APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease,as well as the underlying mechanism.We observed a significant reduction in GGT5 expression in two in vitro models of Alzheimer’s disease(Aβ_(1-42)-treated hCMEC/D3 and bEnd.3 cells),as well as in the APP/PS1 mouse model.Additionally,injection of APP/PS1 mice with an adeno-associated virus encoding GGT5 enhanced hippocampal synaptic plasticity and mitigated cognitive deficits.Interestingly,increasing GGT5 expression in cerebrovascular endothelial cells reduced levels of both soluble and insoluble amyloid-βin the brains of APP/PS1 mice.This effect may be attributable to inhibition of the expression ofβ-site APP cleaving enzyme 1,which is mediated by nuclear factor-kappa B.Our findings demonstrate that GGT5 expression in cerebrovascular endothelial cells is inversely associated with Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis,and that GGT5 upregulation mitigates cognitive deficits in APP/PS1 mice.These findings suggest that GGT5 expression in cerebrovascular endothelial cells is a potential therapeutic target and biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease.

Progress and challenges of cerebrovascular endothelial cells research promoted by single-cell transcriptome sequencing technology

Single-cell transcriptome sequencing has been a rapidly developing and powerful biological tool in recent years,and it plays a vital role in describing tissue development,cell heterogeneity,stress response,etc.Cerebrovascular disease is one of the leading causes affecting human health in the world.Thus,it is important to understand the characteristics of cerebrovascular structure,function,and environmental response.Notably,single-cell transcriptome sequencing provides deeper insights into cerebrovascular research in health and disease states.This article will briefly introduce the basic structure and function of cerebrovascular endothelial cells(ECs),summarize the current research and new findings on cerebrovascular ECs at the single-cell transcriptome level,and discuss the challenges in this field.

The crosstalk between endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells during low shear stress:a proteomic-based approach

Instruction Shear stress,caused by the parallel frictional drag force of blood flow,is a biomechanical force which plays an important role in the control of blood vessels growth and functions [1]. Clinical researches had found out that atherosclerotic le-

Inhibitive effects of anti-oxidative vitamins on mannitol-induced apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells

Objective: Study blood vessel injury and gene expression indicating vascular endothelial cell apoptosis induced by mannitol with and without administration of anti-oxidative vitamins. Methods: Healthy rabbits were randomly divided into four groups. Mannitol was injected into the vein of the rabbit ear in each animal. Pre-treatment prior to mannitol injection was per- formed with normal saline (group B), vitamin C (group C) and vitamin E (group D). Blood vessel injury was assessed under electron and light microscopy. In a second experiment, cell culture specimen of human umbilical vein endothelial cells were treated with mannitol. Pre-treatment was done with normal saline (sample B), vitamin C (sample C) and vitamin E (sample D). Total RNA was extracted with the original single step procedure, followed by hybridisation and analysis of gene expression. Results: In the animal experiment, serious blood vessel injury was seen in group A and group B. Group D showed light injury only, and normal tissue without pathological changes was seen in group C. Of all 330 apoptosis-related genes analysed in human cell culture specimen, no significant difference was seen after pre-treatment with normal saline, compared with the gene chip without pre-treatment. On the gene chip pre-treated with vitamin C, 45 apoptosis genes were down-regulated and 34 anti-apoptosis genes were up-regulated. Pre-treatment with vitamin E resulted in the down-regulation of 3 apoptosis genes. Conclusion: Vitamin C can protect vascular endothelial cells from mannitol-induced injury.

Small interfering RNA targeting PGC-1α inhibits VEGF expression and tube formation in human retinal vascular endothelial cells

AIMTo determine whether small interfering RNA (siRNA) of PGC-1α could inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and tube formation in human retinal vascular endothelial cells (hRVECs).METHODShRVECs transfected with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) siRNA were incubated for 24h and then placed into a normoxic (20%, O2) or hypoxic (1%, O2) environment for another 16h. PGC-1α mRNA and protein levels were detected by real-time PCR and Western blot. VEGF mRNA and protein levels were detected by real-time PCR and ELISA. Cell proliferation was evaluated by BrdU incorporation assay. Forty-eight hours after siRNA transfection, hRVECs were planted into Matrigel-coated plates and cultured under normoxic (20%, O2) or hypoxic (1%, O2) conditions for another 48h. The tube formation of hRVECs was observed under an optical microscope and quantified by counting the number of branch points and calculating the total tube length.RESULTSPGC-1α mRNA and protein levels were significantly reduced by PGC-1α siRNA, and VEGF mRNA and protein levels also decreased significantly. The percentage of BrdU-labeled cells in siPGC-1α groups were significantly decreased compared with control siRNA groups under normoxia and hypoxia in cell proliferation assay. In the tube formation assay, PGC-1α siRNA treated cells formed significantly fewer tubes.CONCLUSIONBlocking PGC-1α expression can inhibit VEGF expression in hRVECs and inhibit their ability to form tubes under both normoxic and hypoxic conditions.

Expression of thymidine kinase mediated by a novel non-viral delivery system under the control of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 promoter selectively kills human umbilical vein endothelial cells

AIM: To investigate the killing efficiency of a recombinant plasmid containing a thymidine kinase (TK) domain insert driven by the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) promoter (KDR) on vascular endothelial cells.METHODS: The KDR-TK fragment was extracted from pBluescript Ⅱ KDR-TK plasmid by enzymatic digestion with Xho I and Sal I. The enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) carrier was extracted from pEGFP by the same procedure. The KDR-TK was inserted into the pEGFP carrier to construct pEGFP-KDR-TK. Using ultrasound irradiation and microbubble, pEGFP-KDR-TK was transferred into human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The transient infection rate was estimated by green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression. Transfected HUVECs, non-transfected HUVECs, and HepG2 cells were cultured in the presence of different concentrations of ganciclovir (GCV), and the killing efficacy of HSV-TK/GCV was analyzed by 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. RESULTS: The recombinant pEGFP-KDR-TK was successfully constructed by inserting the KDR-TK fragment into the pEGFP carrier. Transfected HUVECs showed cytoplasmic green fluorescence, and the transient transfection rate was about 20.3%. Pools of G418-resistant cells exhibited a higher sensitivity to theprodrug/GCV compared to non-transfected HUVECs or non-transfected HepG2 cells, respectively. CONCLUSION: KDR promoter and the suicide gene/prodrug system mediated by diagnostic ultrasound combined with microbubble can significantly kill HUVECs. Such therapy may present a novel and attractive approach to target gene therapy on tumor vessels.

Different Responses of Cell Cycle between Rat Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Vascular Endothelial Cells to Paclitaxel

Summary： Although previous reports showed dmg-eluting stent （DES） could effectively inhibit neointima formation, in-stent restenosis （ISR） remains an important obstacle. The purpose of this study was to investigate different effects of paclitaxel on proliferation and cell cycle regulators between vascular smooth muscle cells （VSMCs） and vascular endothelial cells （VECs） of rats in vitro. The cultured VSMCs and VECs of rats from the same tissues were examined by using immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and Western blotting in control and paclitaxel-treated groups. The results showed paclitaxel could effectively inhibit proliferation of VSMCs and VECs. However, as compared with VECs, prolif- eration of VSMCs in paclitaxel-treated group decreased less rapidly. The percentage of cells in G0-G1 and G2-M phases was reduced, and that in S phase increased after treatment for 72 h. The expression of cyclin D1 and B1, p27 and PCNA in VSMCs of paclitaxel-treated group was up-regulated, but that of p21 down-regulated as compared with VECs. It is concluded that there are significant differences in the expression of cell cycle regulators and proliferation rate between paclitaxel-treated VSMCs and paclitaxel-treated VECs, suggesting that the G1 S checkpoint regulated by paclitaxel may play a critical role in the development of complications of DES, which provides new strategies for treatments of ISR.

Size-dependent Biological Effects on Vascular Endothelial Cells Induced by Different Particulate Matters

Summary： The contribution of particles to cardiovascular mortality and morbidity has been enlightened by epidemiologic and experimental studies. However, adverse biological effects of the particles with different sizes on cardiovascular cells have not been well recognized. In this study, sub-cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells （HUVECs） were exposed to increasing concentrations of pure quartz particles （DQ） of three sizes （DQPM1, 〈1 μm; DQPM3-5, 3-5 μm; DQPM5, 5 μm） and carbon black particles of two sizes （CB0.1, 〈0.1 μm; CB 1, 〈 1 μm） for 24 h. Cytotoxicity was estimated by measuring the activity of lactate dehydrogenase （LDH） and cell viability. Nitric oxide （NO） generation and cyto- kines （TNF-α and IL-1β） releases were analyzed by using NO assay and enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay （ELISA）, respectively. It was found that both particles induced adverse biological effects on HUVECs in a dose-dependent manner. The size of particle directly influenced the biological activity. For quartz, the smaller particles induced stronger cytotoxicity and higher levels of cytokine responses than those particles of big size. For carbon black particles, CB0.1 was more capable of inducing adverse responses on HUVECs than CB 1 only at lower particle concentrations, in contrast to those at higher concentrations. Meanwhile, our data also revealed that quartz particles performed stronger cell damage and produced higher levels of TNF-α than carbon black particles, even if particles size was similar. In conclusion, particle size as well as particle composition should be both considered in assessing vascular endothelial cells injury and inflammation responses induced by particles.

Alphastatin downregulates vascular endothelial cells sphingosine kinase activity and suppresses tumor growth in nude mice bearing human gastric cancer xenografts

AIM： To investigate whether alphastatin could inhibit human gastric cancer growth and furthermore whether sphingosine kinase （SPK） activity is involved in this process. METHODS： Using migration assay, MTT assay and Matrigel assay, the effect of alphastatin on vascular endothelial cells （ECs） was evaluated in vitro. SPK and endothelial differentiation gene （EDG）-1, -3, -5 mRNAs were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）. SPK activity assay was used to evaluate the effect of alphastatin on ECs. Matrigel plug assay in nude mice was used to investigate the effect of alphastatin on angiogenesis in vivo. Female nude mice were subcutaneously implanted with human gastric cancer cells （BGC823） for the tumor xenografts studies. Micro vessel density was analyzed in Factor Ⅷ-stained tumor sections by the immunohistochemical SP method. RESULTS： In vitro, alphastatin inhibited the migration and tube formation of ECs, but had no effect on proliferation of ECs. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that ECs expressed SPK and EDG-1, -3, -5 mRNAs. In vivo, alphastatin sufficiently suppressed neovascularization of the tumor in the nude mice. Daily administration of alphastatin produced significant tumor growth suppression. Immunohistochemical studies of tumor tissues revealed decreased micro vessel density in alphastatin-treated animals as compared with controls. CONCLUSION： Downregulating ECs SPK activity may be one of the mechanisms that alphastatin inhibits gastric cancer angiogenesis. Alphastatin might be a useful and relatively nontoxic adjuvant therapy in the treatment of gastric cancer.

Influence of Isoflavones on Cadmium-induced Adverse Effects in Vascular Endothelial Cells (ECV 304)

Objective To study the possible intervention of isoflavones in cytotoxicity induced by cadmium in vascular endothelial cells. Methods An ECV 304 cell line derived from human umbilical vein endothelial cells was adopted. Genistein / daidzein was added prior to or simultaneously with CdCl2, cell viability was determined by MTT assay, and metallothionein mRNA expression was monitored by RT-PCR method. Results Cell viability was higher in isoflavone and CdCl2 co-treated groups than that in CdCl2 treated group, with CdCl2 concentration at 10, 20, 40, and 80 μmol/L, respectively. However this increase was not observed in the group treated with CdCl2 at a concentration of 60 μmol/L. Isoflavones (10-10 mol/L to 10-5 mol/L) were added 24 h before cells were challenged with 80 μmol/L CdCl2 for 24 h or simultaneously with 80 μmol/L CdCl2. Genistein increased cell viability only at 10-5 mol/L, while daidzein caused a dose-dependent increase from 10-10 mol/L to 10-5 mol/L in co-treatment with CdCl2. In pre-treatment, genistein (10-7 to 10-5 mol/L) increased cell viability whereas only 10-5 mol/L of daidzein exerted protection. Apparent protection could be found when the cells were pre-treated with 10-5 mol/L isoflavones for over 12 h, whereas 24 h incubation was required in such a co-treatment, with the exception of daidzein that had a significant protection in only 3 h. Isoflavones (10-6 mol/L) incubated for 3 h to 24 h, increased MT IIA and MT IF mRNA expression, but the induction could not last for more than 24 h. Co-treatment with isoflavones could induce an additional induction of MT IIA mRNA expression in cells exposed to cadmium. However, the additional induction of MT IIA and MT IF mRNA was not seen when pre-treatment was carried out with isoflavones, with the exception of an increase in MT IIA mRNA expression in the daidzein pre-treated group. Conclusion Genistein/daidzein could reverse the cytotoxicity of cadmium either in pre-treatment or in co-treatment. The protection is the strongest in 10-5 mol/L of isoflavones with a dose-dependent pattern. There are differences between genistein and daidzein in their protective effects. Whether the protection of isoflavones is related to their capacity of inducing MT mRNA expression remains to be elucidated.

Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-mediated Aldosterone-induced Apoptosis in Vascular Endothelial Cells

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of endoplasmic reticulum （ER） stress on aldosterone （Aldo）-induced apoptosis of endothelial cells. Glucose-regulated protein 78 （GRP78） and C/EBP homologous protein （CHOP, a hallmark of ER-associated apoptosis） were used to evaluate ER stress. Western blotting and real-time PCR were used to analyze indicators of ER molecule. Apoptosis was detected by annexin V/propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry. Human umbilical vein endo- thelial cells （HUVECs） were stimulated with different concentrations of Aldo for different durations. Aldo promoted apoptosis of HUVECs and induced ER stress, as evidenced by increased expression of GRP78 and CHOP. siRNA knockdown of CHOP attenuated Aldo-mediated apoptosis. These results in- dicate that ER stress may be involved in Aldo-induced apoptosis of HUVECs.

TIR/BB-loop mimetic AS-1 protects vascular endothelial cells from injury induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation

Morphological and functional abnormalities of vascular endothelial cells(VECs) are risk factors of ischemiareperfusion in skin flaps.Signaling pathway mediated by interleukin-1 receptor(IL-1 R) is essential to hypoxia/reoxygenation(H/R) injury of VECs.While the TIR/BB-loop mimetic(AS-1) disrupts the interaction between IL-1 R and myeloid differentiation primary-response protein 88(MyD88),its role in the VECs dysfunction under H/R is unclear.In this study,we first showed that there was an infiltration of inflammatory cells and the apoptosis of VECs by using a skin flap section from patients who received flap transplantation.We then showed that the H/R treatment induced apoptosis and loss of cell migration of endothelial cell line H926 were attenuated by AS-1.Furthermore,our data suggested that AS-1 inhibits the interaction between IL-1 R and MyD88,and subsequent phosphorylation of IκB and p38 pathway,as well as the nuclear localization of NF-κB subunit p65/p50.Thus,this study indicated that the protective role of AS-1 in H/R induced cellular injury may be due to the AS-1 mediated down-regulation of IL-1 R signaling pathway.