title: [The effect of CD137-CD137 ligand interaction on the expression of nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice atherosclerotic plaque model].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of CD137-CD137L interaction on the nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1) in apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE(-/-)) mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Atherosclerotic plaque model was produced by rapid perivascular carotid collar placement in ApoE(-/-) mice. In vivo, the expression of NFATc1 in mice plaque and lymphocytes was detected by immunohistochemical and flow cytometry, respectively. In vitro, the NFATc1 mRNA and protein expressions in cultured lymphocytes of ApoE(-/-) mice were measured by RT-PCR and flow cytometry, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In vivo, after stimulating CD137-CD137L signal pathway, the expression of NFATc1 was significantly upregulated in the atherosclerotic plaques and lymphocytes. In vitro, the mRNA and protein expressions of NFATc1 in cultured leukocytes of ApoE(-/-) mice were also significantly increased, the maximal effect appeared post 20 µg/ml anti-CD137 mAb-stimulation and reached maximum at 24 h at any concentrations. Anti-CD137L mAb significantly downregulated the mRNA and protein expressions of NFATc1 in lymphocytes of ApoE(-/-) mice, maximal effect appeared at 20 µg/ml anti-CD137L mAb and reached minimum at 24 h.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CD137-CD137L interactions can modulate the expression of NFATc1 in this ApoE(-/-) mice atherosclerotic plaque model.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China.
authors.forename: Hai-bing
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Jin-chuan
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Hong-ling
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Liang-jie
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D053330:4-1BB Ligand / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D050778:NFATC Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D053261:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9 / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D053330:4-1BB Ligand; D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D050778:NFATC Transcription Factors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D053261:Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 9