Endothelial microparticles activate endothelial cells to facilitate the inflammatory response.

Endothelial microparticles (EMPs) and endothelial cells (ECs) are involved in the pathophysiological mechanisms of sepsis and septic shock. EMPs are small vesicles released by ECs and are considered biomarkers for endothelial cell function and mediators for intercellular information exchange. However, the effect of EMPs on their parental ECs remains unknown. The present study collected tumor necrosis factor‑α‑derived EMPs and detected the proinflammatory cytokines released from unstimulated and EMP‑stimulated ECs by proteome profiler array. This revealed that EMPs induce an inflammatory response in ECs. Within this response, interferon γ‑induced protein 10 was revealed by ELISA to be associated with the activity of EMPs in a time‑ and dose‑dependent manner. It was hypothesized that the possible mechanism underlying this phenomenon was nuclear factor‑κB. This was demonstrated to be crucial for the expression of IP‑10 in EMP‑stimulated ECs and the function of EMPs by immunofluorescence and western blot analysis. The present study enhances understanding of the involvement of EMPs and ECs in sepsis and will assist with the early diagnosis and treatment of sepsis.