The effects of recombinant human TNF-α on the expression of programmed death-1 ligand-1 and proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Objective This study aims to (i) investigate the effect of TNF-α on the expression of PD-L1 and on the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and (ii) study the immunopathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Methods HUVECs were incubated with various concentrations of TNF-α for 48 hours. Cell viability and proliferation were determined by CCK-8 assay. The protein of PD-L1 was analyzed by Western blotting. p38MAPK inhibitor SB203580 was added before TNF-α treatment. Results As the concentration of TNF-α increased from 5 ng / ml to 80 ng / ml, the OD value at 450 nm in the CCK-8 assay decreased significantly (P0.05). The expression of PD-L1 protein was suppressed by TNF-α significantly when compared with the control group (P0.05). The level of PD-L1 protein in TNF-α-treated group was lower than the normal group and TNF-α + SB203580 group (P0.05). Conclusion TNF-α was found to suppress the expression of PD-L1 and inhibit the proliferation of HUVECs. p38MAPK pathway may play a role in this process.