[Angiotensin II up-regulates expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in human umbilical endothelial cells: roles of AT1 and AT2].
OBJECTIVE
Angiotensin II is an important pro inflammation factor in the cardiovascular system. This experiment is aimed to study the effects of angiotensin II on inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in human umbilical endothelial cells.


METHODS
Human umbilical endothelial cells were cultured in vitro and treated with angiotensin II alone or in combination with AT1, AT2 and NF-kappaB inhibitors respectively. The inducible nitric oxide synthase expressions at protein and mRNA levels were measured with Western blot and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the activity of NF-kappaB was analyzed with EMSA.


RESULTS
Angiotensin II up-regulated inducible nitric oxide synthase expressions at the protein and mRNA levels at 5 h (P < 0.05), the activity of NF-kappaB was enhanced at 2 h (P < 0.05). These effects could be blocked by AT1 and NF-kappaB inhibitors but not by AT2 inhibitor.


CONCLUSIONS
Angiotensin II can upregulate the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase through NF-kappaB pathway in human umbilical endothelial cells. AT1, other than AT2, play a key role in this process.
Yang
Li-xia
LX
Department of Cardiology, Kunming General Hospital of Chengdu Army, Kunming 650032, China.
Guo
Rui-wei
RW
Shi
Yan-kun
YK
Qi
Feng
F
Guo
Chuan-ming
CM
Wei
Ling
L
Wang
Yan
Y
D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000494:pharmacology*; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology; D057912:Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Blockers; D002460:Cell Line; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014471:Umbilical Veins / Q000166:cytology; D015854:Up-Regulation
D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D057912:Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor Blockers; D016328:NF-kappa B; D000804:Angiotensin II; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II