[C-reactive protein induced human endothelium cells apoptosis is associated with Bcl-2/Bax gene expression changes].
OBJECTIVE
In the present study, we examined the expression changes of Bcl-2/Bax in C-reactive protein (CRP) treated human endothelium cells in vitro.


METHODS
The human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were cultured by digest method for 2 - 3 posterities and incubated with human CRP (0, 1, 5, 25 mg/L for 24 hours) and analyzed by flow cytometer for apoptosis ratio. The effects of CRP in various concentrations on Bcl-2/Bax mRNA and protein expression were examined by RT-PCR and Western Blotting.


RESULTS
Apoptosis ratio increased, downregulated Bcl-2 (gene promoting cell survival) and upregulated Bax (gene promoting apoptosis) at mRNA and protein levels in proportion to increased CRP concentrations.


CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrate that Bcl-2/Bax could be regulated by CRP in human HUVECs and might play a causal role in CRP-induced apoptosis.
Zhang
Xing-wei
XW
Department of Cardiology, Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
Ge
Jun-bo
JB
Pan
Hao
H
Gao
Yan
Y
Li
Pei-zhang
PZ
Wang
Ning-fu
NF
Zhou
Liang
L
Yang
Jian-min
JM
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000166:cytology; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D002097:C-Reactive Protein