title: Involvement of glycogen synthase kinase-3beta in palmitate-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell apoptosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The death of endothelial cells may play a critical role in the development of various vascular diseases, including atherosclerosis. While free fatty acids (FFAs) may stimulate endothelial apoptosis, the molecular and cellular mechanisms of this effect have not been studied intensively. To elucidate the mechanisms involved in FFA-induced endothelial cell apoptosis, we investigated the effect of different pharmacological inhibitors on palmitate-induced apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Interestingly, lithium, a glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) inhibitor, showed a strong protective effect.
  
  
  RESULTS
  To examine the involvement of GSK-3beta in palmitate-induced HUVEC apoptosis, its dephosphorylation at Ser9 and enzymatic activation in response to palmitate treatment were monitored by immunoblotting and in vitro kinase assays, respectively. GSK-3beta was dephosphorylated and its enzymatic activity increased in palmitate-treated HUVECs. In addition, pretreatment with other GSK-3beta inhibitors, e.g. SB216763 or TDZD-8, as well as adenoviral transduction with a catalytically inactive GSK-3beta had significant protective effects against palmitate-induced HUVEC apoptosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results demonstrate that the GSK-3beta signalling pathway is involved in palmitate-induced HUVEC apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sung-E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Yup
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Hyun-Ju
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Ha-Chul
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Hyo-Eun
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyo-Soo
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hae Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Dae Jung
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kwan-Woo
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000235:genetics; D000873:Anthracenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D003600:Cytosol / Q000737:chemistry; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000166:cytology*; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D037341:Fumonisins / Q000494:pharmacology; D005822:Genetic Vectors / Q000494:pharmacology; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D000071679:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D007211:Indoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D018021:Lithium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D008301:Maleimides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000737:chemistry; D010168:Palmitates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D010768:Phosphoserine / Q000378:metabolism; D011065:Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases / Q000378:metabolism; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational / Q000187:drug effects; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D013830:Thiadiazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D014161:Transduction, Genetic; D014471:Umbilical Veins
chemical_list: C494356:4-benzyl-2-methyl-1,2,4-thiadiazolidine-3,5-dione; D000873:Anthracenes; D037341:Fumonisins; D007093:Imidazoles; D007211:Indoles; D008301:Maleimides; D010168:Palmitates; D011725:Pyridines; C417521:SB 216763; D013830:Thiadiazoles; D010768:Phosphoserine; C432165:pyrazolanthrone; C056933:fumonisin B1; D011065:Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases; C000605506:GSK3B protein, human; D000071679:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3; D053148:Caspase 3; D018021:Lithium Chloride; C070515:bisindolylmaleimide I; C093642:SB 203580