Objective To observe the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR-1) and VEGFR-2 in hypoxic chorioretinal endothelial cells of monkeys (RF/6A), and to evaluate the effect of minocycline. Methods RF/6A was cultured and divided into four groups: control group, hypoxia group, hypoxia and low dose of minocycline group (0.5 mu;mol/L), hypoxia and medium dose of minocycline group (5 mu;mol/L), and hypoxia and high dose of minocycline group (50 mu;mol/L). Real-time reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistopathological staining were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression of VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2, respectively. Results RT-PCR showed that the expression of VEGFR-1 mRNA did not vary significantly between groups (F 24 h=0.17,F 48 h=1.53,F72 h=2.04;P＞0.05). Compared with hypoxia group, the expression of VEGFR-2 mRNA in all minocycline treated groups were significantly downregulated (low minocycline, medium minocycline, high minocycline: t=4.69, 20.16, 17.12; P＜0.001). The immunohistopathological study showed the cells with positive staining of VEGFR-1 can be observed in all groups, and the staining was relatively weak and mainly located in cell membrane and cytoplasm. The optical density value analysis showed that the protein expression of VEGFR-1 did not vary significantly between groups at all time points（F 24 h=0.251,F 48 h=0.340,F72 h=0.589;P＞0.05）. The VEGFR-2 positive staining cells were also observed in all groups, and the staining was relatively high. Brown staining particles of VEGFR-2 were observed in the cell membrane with minor staining particles in cytoplasm. The staining density of VEGFR-2 was significantly higher in hypoxia group than control group. Compared with the hypoxia group, the protein expression of VEGFR-2 in minocycline treated groups was significantly lower（F 24 h=19.147,F 48 h=14.893,F72 h==11.984; P＜0.05). Conclusion The expression of VEGFR-2 is upregulated in RF/6A, and minocycline somewhat shows an inhibition effect.
ObjectiveTo address the effect and mechanism of interleukin 17 (IL-17) on the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of human retinal vascular endothelial cells (HREC). MethodsIL-17 receptor (IL-17R) mRNA and protein expression in human retinal vascular endothelial cells (HREC) were quantified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot. Cell proliferation of HREC was examined using CCK-8 assay in the presence of different concentrations of IL-17. Cell migration of HREC was detected using wound scratch assay. Flow cytometry was used to test the effect of IL-17 on the apoptosis of HREC. The effects of IL-17 on HREC expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), Caspase-3 and thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) were quantified by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The effect of IL-17 on HREC expression of Caspase-3 was examined using Western blot. ResultsIL-17 receptor (IL-17R) expressed in HREC as quantified by RT-PCR and Western blot. The proliferation of HREC in the presence of IL-17 was promoted in a dosage-dependent manner (t=-3.235, -6.276;P=0.032, 0.000). Wound scratch assay showed a significant increase in the migrated distance of HREC with IL-17 stimulation under the concentration of 100μg/L(t=-3.551, -2.849; P=0.006, 0.019), 200μg/L(t=-10.347, -4.519; P=0.000, 0.001) and 500μg/L (t=-3.541, -2.607; P=0.008, 0.036). The intervention of 200μg/L IL-17 can effectively inhibit the apoptosis of HREC, compared with the control group using flow cytometry (t=5.682, P=0.047). RT-PCR results showed that IL-17 can promote the expression of bFGF and inhibit the expression of Caspase-3 and TSP-1. Western blot result also showed that IL-17 can suppress the protein expression of Caspase-3. ConclusionThe mechanism of IL-17 promoting proliferation, migration but suppress apoptosis of HREC may via regulating the expression of bFGF and Caspase-3.
Objective To observe the influences of uncoupling protein 2 (UCP-2) rs660339 variants transfection on cell proliferation and apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC). Methods Two UCP-2 green fluorescent protein (GFP) lentivirus constructs were created with the rs660339 locus carried C or T (UCP-2C or UCP-2T), respectively. HUVEC were cultured after lentiviral infection of UCP-2C or UCP-2T. The expression of UCP-2C or UCP-2T was detected with real time polymerase chain reaction. Cell proliferation and cell apoptosis were compared among negative control (NC) group, UCP-2T group and UCP-2C group using CCK-8 cell viability and flow cytometry. Western blot and immunostaining were employed to examine the expression of Bcl-2 gene. Results The lentivirus constructs were successfully created. ＞80% of the transfected cells were found to express GFP under fluorescent microscope. The mRNA levels of UCP-2 gene were significantly increased (F=29.183,P=0.001) in the UCP-2T group and UCP-2C group. The CCK-8 assay revealed that on day two (F=15.970,P=0.004), day three (F=16.738,P=0.004), day four (F=5.414,P=0.045) post-infection, UCP-2T and UCP-2C group showed significantly greater proliferation than the NC cells. The apoptotic rate in the UCP-2T and UCP-2C group was significantly lower than NC group (F=277.138,P=0.000), and the apoptotic rate of UCP-2T was significantly lower than that of UCP-2C (P=0.003). The protein levels of Bcl-2 in the UCP-2T and UCP-2C group were significantly greater than that in the NC group (F=425.679,P=0.000), and the Bcl-2 expression of UCP-2T was greater than that of UCP-2C (P=0.002). The Bcl-2 density in the UCP-2T and UCP-2C group were greater than that in the NC group (F=11.827,P=0.008), while there was no difference between UCP-2T and UCP-2C group (P=0.404). Conclusion The variants of UCP-2 rs660339 may influence HUVEC proliferation and apoptosis, and UCP-2T showed a stronger effect of inhibiting apoptosis than UCP-2C.