Olecular mechanism underlying the myeloperoxidase induced apoptosis of HUVEC-12 cells.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the myeloperoxidase (MPO) induced apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

METHODS

HUVEC-12 cells were treated with myeloperoxidase at different concentrations (0.1 μ/ml, 0.2 μ/ml, 0.4 μ/ml and 0.6 μ/ml) and apoptotic cells were detected by flow cytometry. Then, cells were harvested for the detection of mRNA and protein expression of caspase-3 and Bax by reverse transcription PCR and Western blot assay, respectively.

RESULTS

When compared with negative control group, the apoptosis index in 0.2 μ/ml MPO group, 0.4 μ/ml MPO group and 0.6 μ/ml MPO group increased markedly (P<0.05). When compared with negative control group, the mRNA expression of caspase-3 in 0.6 μ/ml MPO group and positive control group increased dramatically (P<0.05). When compared with negative control group, the protein expression of pre-caspase-3 and activated caspase-3 elevated significantly in 0.4 μ/ml MPO group, 0.6 μ/ml MPO group and positive control group (P<0.05). When compared with negative control group, the mRNA and protein expression of Bax elevated dramatically in 0.4 μ/ml MPO group, 0.6 μ/ml MPO group and positive control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

MPO at certain extents may induce the apoptosis of HUVEC-12. The MPO induced apoptosis of HUVEC-12 may be dependent on capase-3 signaling pathway, and Bax is also involved in the MPO induced apoptosis of HUVEC-12.