Lipopolysaccharide and homocysteine induce expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 mRNA in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Aim:To investigate whether lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and homocysteine (HCY) could induce cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to express monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP 1) mRNA and the mechanism.Methods: The confluent HUVECs were allocated into 6 groups: control group, LPS group, LPS+SB203580 group, HCY group, HCY+SB203580 group, and LPS+HCY group. The expression of MCP 1 mRNA in HUVECs was assayed by dot hybridization and RT PCR. The expressions of P38 protein kinase protein in HUVECs of the control group, LPS group and HCY group were measured by immunocytochemistry.Results:The cultured HUVECs expressed MCP 1 mRNA at a low level. Both dot hybridization and RT PCR showed that the expressions of MCP 1 mRNA of all experimental groups were higher than that of control group. The immunocytochemistry showed that the percentage of nuclear positive cells of P38 in the control group was 9.6%, after exposure of HUVECs to HCY and LPS, it increased to 46.7% and 57.7%, respectively.Conclusion:LPS and HCY could induce the expression of MCP 1 mRNA in HUVECs, and P38 protein kinase may play an important role in the process.