FGF-21抑制HSC-T6细胞活化的抗肝纤维化作用及其机制的研究

目的:探索成纤维细胞生长因子21(FGF-21)对肝星形细胞T6(HSC-T6)活化的作用及其作用机制。方法:1640+10%胎牛血清的培养基培养HSC-T6细胞,实验分为5组:正常对照组(Control)、模型组(Model 20 m M乙醇处理细胞12 h)、低剂量FGF-21组(LFGF-21,0.5μmol/L)、中剂量FGF-21组(MFGF-21,1.0μmol/L)和高剂量FGF-21组(HFGF-21,2.0μmol/L)。Real-time PCR检测α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)、胶原蛋白Ⅰ(CollagenⅠ)、基质金属蛋白酶-2(MMP2)、基质金属蛋白酶-9(MMP9)和Notch2的m RNA水平,Western blot检测CollagenⅠ、α-SMA、MMP2、MMP9和Notch2的蛋白水平,ELISA检测IL-1β、TNF-α的蛋白水平。结果:模型组α-SMA、CollagenⅠ、MMP2、MMP9、IL-1β、TNF-α、Notch2的水平高于对照组(P0.05),HFGF-21组α-SMA、CollagenⅠ、MMP2、MMP9、IL-1β、TNF-α、Notch2的水平均低于模型组(P0.05)。结论:FGF-21可抑制Notch2的表达,抑制炎症反应,从而抑制HSC的活化,发挥抗肝纤维化作用。     

睾酮对人血管内皮细胞产生NO、tPA和PAI-1的影响

目的:观察不同浓度睾酮对人血管内皮细胞生长、产生舒张因子及纤溶活性的影响.方法:体外培养人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVEC),分为五个浓度睾酮组及单纯培养基对照组.做MTT实验观察睾酮对HUVEC生长的影响;还原酶法测定各组HUVEC释放NO量;ELISA法测定各组培养基中纤溶酶原激活物(tPA)及其抑制物(PAI-1)含量.结果:3×10-10mol/L-3×10-8mol/L睾酮组与对照组相比细胞生长良好,无明显差别;而大于生理剂量的两组(3×10-6～3×10-1mol/L)3 d后细胞生长明显受到抑制(P＜0.05).各浓度睾酮组产生NO量与对照组无明显区别.而3×10-10 mol/L～3×10-8 mol/L睾酮组tPA含量明显高于对照组(P＜0.01);大剂量组tPA产生明显减少(P＜0.01).所有实验组的PAI-1含量均明显降低.结论:生理及略低于生理剂量的睾酮对HUVEC生长及释放NO无不利影响,且增加纤溶活性.说明生理剂量睾酮对血管内皮功能、心血管系统有一定的保护作用,有利于防止动脉粥样硬化的发生、发展.     

槲皮素对LPS刺激的小胶质细胞炎症因子的下调作用

探讨槲皮素对LPS刺激的小胶质细胞炎症因子的下调作用。用不同浓度的槲皮素处理细菌脂多糖(LPS)诱导过的BV2小胶质细胞,观察不同浓度的槲皮素对炎症因子:一氧化氮(NO)、肿瘤坏死因子(TNF-α绿)以及白介素-1β(IL-1β)的抑制效果。槲皮素在10μm、20μm、30μm时可降低炎症因子NO、TNF-α绿以及IL-1β的产生,与LPS组相比只加10μmol/L槲皮素处理:NO下降17.26%,IL-1β下降21.21%,TNF-α绿下降18.93%;20μmol/L槲皮素处理:NO下降45.18%,IL-1β下降35.45%,TNF-α绿下降37.77%;30μmol/L槲皮素处理:NO下降72.59%,IL-1β下降57.59%,TNF-α绿下降62.32%。但只在20μmol/L、30μmol/L槲皮素处理时与LPS组相比NO、TNF-α绿以及IL-1β的下降有统计学差异(p0.05)。与上述相同与LPS组相比槲皮素为10μmol/L、20μmol/L、30μmol/L时可降低炎症因子TNF-α绿以及IL-1βm RNA的产生,10μmol/L槲皮素处理:IL-1βmRNA下降16.88%,TNF-α绿mRNA下降14.88%;20μmol/L槲皮素处理:IL-1βmRNA下降38.96%,TNF-α绿mRNA下降37.16%;30μmol/L槲皮素处理IL-1βmRNA下降55.49%,TNF-α绿mRNA下降54.38%。但只在20μmol/L、30μmol/L槲皮素处理时TNF-α绿以及IL-1β的mRNA下降有统计学差异(p0.05)。槲皮素对LPS刺激的小胶质细胞炎症因子有一定的下调作用,其抗炎机制可能与下调NO、TNF-α绿以及IL-1β的产生有关。     

氧化应激诱导内皮细胞凋亡microRNA表达改变的研究

目的:研究氧化应激诱导的内皮细胞micro RNA的表达变化。方法:ECM(Endothelial Cell Medium)培养人脐静脉内皮细胞,利用不同浓度双氧水(0μmol/L,200μmol/L,500μmol/L,800μmol/L)刺激24小时后应用流式细胞术检测其凋亡水平。提取细胞总RNA,利用实时定量PCR(Quantitive real-time PCR;q RT-PCR)检测micro RNA表达量变化,并利用生物信息学软件预测可能的靶基因。结果:加入不同浓度双氧水处理24 h后的内皮细胞总凋亡率均显著高于对照组,200μmol/L、500μmol/L和800μmol/L组的凋亡率分别为(13.31%vs 4.75%,35.9%vs 4.75%,89.75%vs 4.75%,P0.01)。200μmol/L的双氧水处理内皮细胞后,micro RNA的表达出现了明显的改变。其中mi R-92a、mi R-126的表达明显下调(P0.05),mi R-181a、mi R-217、mi R-34a和mi R-320的表达明显上调(P0.05)。靶基因预测显示mi R-320、mi R-92a可能调控多个和内皮细胞凋亡相关的基因表达。结论:在氧化应激诱导的内皮细胞凋亡中,mi RNA表达发生改变并可能参与调控内皮细胞功能。     

雌激素受体α抑制剂MPP在小鼠囊胚形成和滋养层干细胞中影响YAP核定位

目的研究雌激素受体α(estrogen receptorα,ERα)抑制剂甲基-哌啶-吡唑(methyl-piperidino-pyrazole,MPP)在小鼠桑葚胚和滋养层干细胞(trophoblast stem cells,TSCs)中对YAP的影响。方法收集昆明(kunming,KM)小鼠8-细胞胚,置于0μmol/L(对照组)和5μmol/L(实验组)MPP中培养,分别于8h、12h和24h后收集各组桑葚胚,采用免疫荧光技术观察YAP表达,采用Real Time-PCR检测MPP处理24h后Yap mRNA表达变化;将小鼠TSCs置于0μmol/L、2.5μmol/L、5μmol/L和10μmol/L MPP中培养,48h后观察细胞形态改变,分别检测Sox2、YAP、Cdx2 mRNA和蛋白表达水平。结果小鼠8-细胞胚经MPP处理24h后,桑葚胚YAP蛋白核定位水平降低,Yap mRNA水平无显著改变;经MPP处理48h后,5μmol/L组小鼠TSCs细胞出现细胞团块,10μmol/L组细胞增殖明显受抑制;与对照组相比,5μmol/L组细胞Sox2 mRNA表达水平升高,Yap和Cdx2 mRNA水平无显著改变,团块状细胞中的YAP蛋白失去明显的核内定位,SOX2和CDX2阳性细胞的表达更加密集。结论 ERα在小鼠桑葚胚和TSCs中调控YAP核定位,其在TSCs细胞中的作用与CDX2和SOX2的表达有关。     

雌激素对A549细胞系EMT过程的影响

目的:探讨雌激素对A549细胞系EMT标志物表达量的影响。方法:用不同浓度的雌激素刺激A549细胞系,并用q-RT-PCR和Western-blot实验检测各组细胞中EMT标志物表达量的变化,用Transwell实验检测不同浓度雌激素对细胞迁移能力的影响,计算各组间有无统计学差异。结果:当雌激素浓度为1×10-9 mol/L、1×10-8 mol/L、1×10-7 mol/L时,Vimentin的m RNA表达量分别为:2.14±0.55、4.72±0.63、2.21±0.47,显著高于空白对照组,组间有统计学差异,E-cadherin的m RNA表达量分别为:0.64±0.15、0.46±0.11、0.59±0.13,显著低于空白对照组,组间有统计学差异,蛋白表达量也有同样趋势;细胞迁移数分别为58.63±7.33、80.12±9.32、61.89±8.22,组间有统计学差异。当雌激素浓度为1×10-8 mol/L时,Vimentin的表达量最高,E-cadherin的表达量最低,细胞迁移数最高。结论:适宜浓度雌激素可以促进Vimentin的表达,抑制E-cadherin的表达,提高细胞迁移能力,当雌激素浓度为1×10-8 mol/L时,促进Vimentin表达、抑制E-cadherin表达和促进细胞迁移的作用最显著。由此认为,雌激素对A549细胞系发生EMT过程有促进作用。     

TGF-beta1通过抑制HIF-1alpha减少风湿性心脏病心肌细胞胶原合成

目的:探讨缺氧诱导因子-1α(HIF-1α)在转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)促风湿性心脏病心肌细胞胶原合成中的作用。方法:以体外培养风湿性心脏病(风心病)患者经瓣膜置换术后留取组织分离而来的心肌细胞为研究对象,依据加入TGF-β1的浓度将前期实验分为四组:0,5,10及20(μg/L),观察TGF-β1对风湿性心脏病心肌细胞胶原合成及HIF-1α表达的影响;而后实验选取10μg/L TGF-β1为干预浓度,将Scrambled si RNA或HIF-1αsi RNA转染入细胞内。48小时后,分别收集各组细胞,采用RT-PCR检测I型胶原的m RNA水平,Western Blot技术测定细胞内I型胶原和HIF-1α的蛋白表达水平。结果:与0、5及10μg/L浓度TGF-β1组相比,5、10及20μg/L浓度的TGF-β1分别显著地增加了风心病心肌细胞I型胶原及HIF-1α的表达。另外,HIF-1αsi RNA则明显减少了TGF-β1诱导的心肌细胞I型胶原生成。结论:HIF-1α介导了TGF-β1对风湿性心脏病心肌细胞I型胶原合成的促进作用。     

TGF-β1通过抑制HIF-1α减少风湿性心脏病心肌细胞胶原合成

目的:探讨缺氧诱导因子-1α(HIF-1α)在转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)促风湿性心脏病心肌细胞胶原合成中的作用。方法:以体外培养风湿性心脏病(风心病)患者经瓣膜置换术后留取组织分离而来的心肌细胞为研究对象,依据加入TGF-β1的浓度将前期实验分为四组:0,5,10及20(μg/L),观察TGF-β1对风湿性心脏病心肌细胞胶原合成及HIF-1α表达的影响;而后实验选取10μg/L TGF-β1为干预浓度,将Scrambled si RNA或HIF-1αsi RNA转染入细胞内。48小时后,分别收集各组细胞,采用RT-PCR检测I型胶原的m RNA水平,Western Blot技术测定细胞内I型胶原和HIF-1α的蛋白表达水平。结果:与0、5及10μg/L浓度TGF-β1组相比,5、10及20μg/L浓度的TGF-β1分别显著地增加了风心病心肌细胞I型胶原及HIF-1α的表达。另外,HIF-1αsi RNA则明显减少了TGF-β1诱导的心肌细胞I型胶原生成。结论:HIF-1α介导了TGF-β1对风湿性心脏病心肌细胞I型胶原合成的促进作用。     

双氢杨梅素对缺氧诱导的心肌细胞炎症反应和凋亡的影响及机制

目的:探讨双氢杨梅素对缺氧诱导的心肌细胞炎症和凋亡的影响及其可能调控机制。方法:将心肌细胞(H9C2细胞系)缺氧处理建立细胞模型,随机分为4组:对照组、对照+双氢杨梅素组、缺氧组、缺氧+双氢杨梅素组。对照+双氢杨梅素组和缺氧+双氢杨梅素组分别加入5μmol/L的双氢杨梅素孵育24 h,对照组和缺氧组分别加入同等体积的DMSO孵育24 h。实时PCR检测心肌细胞CD40、IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α、mi RNA-145-5p的m RNA水平;ELISA检测IL-1β、IL-6和TNF-α的浓度;MTT实验检测心肌细胞生存率;Tunel法检测心肌细胞凋亡;Western blot检测心肌细胞Cleaved Caspase3的表达。结果:与对照组和对照+双氢杨梅素组相比,缺氧组CD40、IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α的m RNA水平升高(P0.05),IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α浓度显著升高(P0.05),mi RNA-145-5p的m RNA水平显著降低(P0.05),心肌细胞生存率显著降低(P0.05),心肌细胞凋亡显著增加(P0.05),Cleaved Caspase3的蛋白表达显著增加;与缺氧组相比,缺氧+双氢杨梅素组CD40、IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α的m RNA水平显著降低(P0.05),IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α浓度显著降低(P0.05),mi RNA-145-5p的m RNA水平显著增加(P0.05),心肌细胞生存率显著增加(P0.05),心肌细胞凋亡显著降低(P0.05),Cleaved Caspase3的蛋白表达显著降低。结论:双氢杨梅素可抑制缺氧诱导的心肌细胞炎症和凋亡,其机制可能与双氢杨梅素上调mi RNA-145-5p进一步抑制CD40介导的炎症反应和凋亡有关。     

成纤维细胞生长因子21对非酒精性脂肪性肝炎的作用及机制的研究

目的:探索成纤维细胞生长因子21(FGF-21)对非酒精性脂肪性肝炎(NASH)的作用及其机制。方法:用浓度为500μmol/L的油酸和棕榈酸混合物(摩尔比=2:1)诱导HepG2细胞建立NASH细胞模型,实验分为5组:正常对照组(Control)、模型组(Model)、低剂量FGF-21组(LFGF-21,0.5μmol/L)、中剂量FGF-21组(MFGF-21,1.0μmol/L)和高剂量FGF-21组(HFGF-21,2.0μmol/L),油红O染色法观察细胞内脂滴,全自动生化分析仪检测细胞内ALT、AST、TC、TG的水平,Real-time PCR和Western blot分别检测细胞内核因子E2相关因子-2(Nrf-2)、核苷酸结合寡聚化结构域样受体3(NLRP3)的m RNA和蛋白水平,ELISA检测IL-1β、TNF-α水平。结果:NASH细胞造模成功,油红O染色结果显示对照组细胞无明显脂滴蓄积,模型组细胞内可见大量橘红色脂滴,并出现融合现象。不同浓度FGF-21治疗组的细胞内红色脂滴明显减少,并呈剂量依赖性。模型组ALT、AST、TC、TG、IL-1β、TNF-α和NLRP3的水平均高于对照组(P0.05),FGF-21治疗组其水平低于模型组(P0.05)。模型组Nrf2的水平低于对照组(P0.05),FGF-21治疗组Nrf2的水平高于模型组(P0.05)。结论:FGF-21通过促进Nrf-2、抑制NLRP3减少非酒精性脂肪性肝炎细胞的脂质沉积,减轻炎症反应,对NASH有保护作用。     

Effects of testosterone and 17-beta-estradiol on TNF-alpha-induced E-selectin and VCAM-1 expression in endothelial cells. Analysis of the underlying receptor pathways

This study investigated the effects of testosterone and 17-beta-estradiol on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced endothelial expression of E-selectin and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and the potential roles of hormone receptors involved in these actions. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were stimulated with TNF-alpha in the presence or absence of testosterone or 17-beta-estradiol, and the expression of E-selectin and VCAM-1 was investigated. As shown by Western blot analysis, co-administration with testosterone or 17-beta-estradiol increased the expression of E-selectin and VCAM-1 induced by TNF-alpha at 6 h and 3 h, respectively. Similarly, RT-PCR analysis revealed a significant increase in the amount of mRNA for E-selectin and VCAM-1 after co-administration with testosterone or 17-beta-estradiol in TNF-alpha-stimulated HUVEC. The presence of mRNA and proteins for androgen receptor and estrogen receptor alpha in HUVEC was verified by RT-PCR and Western blot. Flow cytometric analysis showed that preincubation with androgen receptor antagonist cyproterone and estrogen receptor antagonist tamoxifen completely abrogated the upregulating effects of testosterone and 17-beta-estradiol on TNF-alpha-induced E-selectin and VCAM-1 expression, respectively. Expression of TNF receptors in TNF-alpha-stimulated HUVEC was not influenced by testosterone and 17-beta-estradiol. The data indicate that both testosterone and 17-beta-estradiol increase TNF-alpha-induced E-selectin and VCAM-1 expression in endothelial cells via a receptor-mediated system, and expression of TNF receptors are not changed in these actions. The implications of these results for the facilitory effects of both sex hormones on immune reactions are discussed.     

Endogenous basic fibroblast growth factor-dependent induction of collagenase and interleukin-6 in tumor necrosis factor-treated human microvascular endothelial cells.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) has been shown to enhance the synthesis of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and collagenase in human omental microvascular endothelial (HOME) cell (Mawatari, M., Kohno, K., Mizoguchi, H., Matsuda, T., Asoh, K., Van Damme, J. V., Welgus, H. G., and Kuwano, M. (1989) J. Immunol. 143, 1619-1627). In the present study, we have examined whether the TNF-alpha-induced synthesis of IL-6 or collagenase in HOME cells is mediated by an inducible growth factor. Among several growth factors examined, we found that the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) mRNA was the one most prominently enhanced when HOME cells were treated with TNF-alpha. The increase of bFGF mRNA by TNF-alpha in HOME cells was observed in both a dose- and time-dependent manner when assayed by Northern blot analysis. The induction of bFGF mRNA was observed by 3 h after incubation with TNF-alpha, and the maximal increase of 5-fold was obtained after 12 h of incubation with 100 units/ml TNF-alpha. Western blot analysis confirmed the enhanced synthesis of bFGF by TNF-alpha. Metabolic labeling and immunoprecipitation assays of bFGF showed that exposure to TNF-alpha enhanced secretion of bFGF into culture medium and also that TNF-alpha stimulated the production of bFGF molecules with molecular masses of 18, 21, and 22.5 kDa in HOME cells. TNF-alpha induced the expression of collagenase mRNA and IL-6 mRNA in HOME cells as well, and the coadministration of neutralizing anti-bFGF antibody almost completely blocked the effects of TNF-alpha. The treatment of HOME cells with exogenous bFGF significantly stimulated the expression of collagenase mRNA and IL-6 mRNA in HOME cells. Therefore, the biological effects of TNF-alpha on HOME cells may be mediated, at least in part, by TNF-alpha-induced bFGF.     

Up-regulation of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor mRNA levels by basic FGF or testosterone in androgen-sensitive mouse mammary tumor cells.

Since we had previously shown that both basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and testosterone stimulate the growth of mouse mammary carcinoma cells (SC-3) in serum-free culture, we tested the effect of bFGF or testosterone on FGF receptor mRNA levels. Northern blot analyses revealed that stimulation with bFGF resulted in a 5-fold increase in FGF receptor mRNA levels at 6-8 h followed by a decline to the unstimulated levels at 24 h. Simultaneous addition of cycloheximide blocked bFGF-induced accumulation of FGF receptor mRNA, although exposure of SC-3 cells to cycloheximide alone caused marginal increase in its basal level. Neither phorbol ester nor forskolin stimulated FGF receptor mRNA expression, but testosterone could raise FGF receptor mRNA levels. To obtain the maximum stimulation, however, testosterone required the longer stimulation period (12 h) than bFGF, suggesting that testosterone-induced FGF receptor mRNA accumulation is mediated through an induction of FGF-like growth factor.     

TNF-alpha, but not IL-6, stimulates plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 expression in human subcutaneous adipose tissue.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is produced by adipose tissue, and elevated PAI-1 levels in plasma are a risk factor in the metabolic syndrome. We investigated the regulatory effects of TNF-alpha and IL-6 on PAI-1 gene induction in human adipose tissue. Twenty healthy men underwent a 3-h infusion of either recombinant human TNF-alpha (n = 8), recombinant human IL-6 (n = 6), or vehicle (n = 6). Biopsies were obtained from the subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue at preinfusion, at 1, 2, and 3 h during the infusion, and at 2 h after the infusion. The mRNA expression of PAI-1 in the adipose tissue was measured using real-time PCR. The plasma levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 reached 18 and 99 pg/ml, respectively, during the infusions. During the TNF-alpha infusion, adipose PAI-1 mRNA expression increased 2.5-fold at 1 h, 6-fold at 2 h, 9-fold at 3 h, and declined to 2-fold 2 h after the infusion stopped but did not change during IL-6 infusion and vehicle. These data demonstrate that TNF-alpha rather than IL-6 stimulates an increase in PAI-1 mRNA in the subcutaneous adipose tissue, suggesting that TNF-alpha may be involved in the pathogenesis of related metabolic disorders.     

Inhibition of muscle insulin-like growth factor I expression by tumor necrosis factor-alpha

The role of TNF-alpha in muscle catabolism is well established, but little is known about the mechanisms of its catabolic action. One possibility could be that TNF-alpha impairs the production of local growth factors like IGF-I. The aim of this study was to investigate whether TNF-alpha can directly inhibit IGF-I gene and protein expression in muscle. First, we investigated whether the acute inflammation induced by endotoxin injection changes IGF-I and TNF-alpha mRNA in rat tibialis anterior muscle. Endotoxin rapidly increased TNF-alpha mRNA (7-fold at 1 h, P < 0.001) and later decreased IGF-I mRNA (-73% at 12 h, P < 0.001). Furthermore, in a model of C2C12 myotubes, TNF-alpha strongly inhibited IGF-I mRNA and protein (-73 and -47% after 72 h, P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively). Other proinflammatory cytokines failed to inhibit IGF-I mRNA. The effect of TNF-alpha on IGF-I mRNA was not mediated by nitric oxide, and the activation of NF-kappaB was insufficient to inhibit IGF-I expression. Taken together, our data suggest that TNF-alpha induced in muscle after LPS injection can locally inhibit IGF-I expression. The inhibition of muscle IGF-I production could contribute to the catabolic effect of TNF-alpha.     

Differential inhibition of IL-1 and TNF-alpha mRNA expression by agents which block second messenger pathways in murine macrophages

IL-1 and TNF-alpha are induced in macrophages by LPS; however, it is unclear whether similar mechanisms control the expression of both genes. Here, we report on the detection of differential regulation of LPS induced IL-1 and TNF-alpha mRNA expression and protein production in murine macrophages based on the use of inhibitors of second messenger pathways. Northern blot analysis was performed with total RNA obtained from murine (C57Bl/6) peritoneal macrophages stimulated in vitro with LPS with or without an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKc)(1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine hydrochloride; H7) or an inhibitor of calmodulin (CaM)-dependent kinase (N-(6-amino-hexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalene-sulfonamide hydrochloride; W7). Northerns were analyzed with probes for IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha. The expression of the three cytokine mRNA by LPS was inhibited in a dose response manner by H7. In contrast, the expression of IL-1 mRNA, but not TNF-alpha mRNA, was blocked by treatment with W7. Parallel studies monitoring biologic activities of these two cytokines confirm the mRNA data. PKc inhibitors, H7 and retinal, block both IL-1 and TNF-alpha protein production and inhibitors of CaM kinase, W7, N-(6-aminobutyl)-5-chloro-2-naphthalenesulfonamide, calmidazolum, and trifluoperazine dichloride inhibit only IL-1 production. These data suggest that both PKc and CaM kinase dependent pathways are involved in the induction of IL-1 mRNA by LPS. In contrast, TNF-alpha expression appears to be PKc dependent but not CaM kinase dependent.     

Effects of antioxidants and nitric oxide on TNF-alpha-induced adhesion molecule expression and NF-kappaB activation in human dermal microvascular endothelial cells

Cell adhesion molecules expressed on endothelial cells in inflamed skin appear to be controlled by the actions of cytokines and reactive oxygen species. However, molecular mechanisms of the expression of adhesion molecules during skin inflammation are currently not well understood. To evaluate the role of antioxidants and nitric oxide in modulating inflammatory processes in the skin, we examined the effects of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC, 0.1 mM) and spermine NONOate (Sper-NO, 1 mM) on adhesion molecule expression and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) activation induced by TNF-alpha (10 ng/ml) in cultured human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMEC). Treatment of cells with TNF-alpha for 4 h significantly induced the surface expression of E-selectin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). Treatment with TNF-alpha for 8 h significantly induced the surface expression of E-selectin, ICAM-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). The up-regulation of these adhesion molecules was suppressed significantly by pretreatment with PDTC or Sper-NO for 1 h. The mRNA expression of E-selectin, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1, and activation of NF-kappaB induced by TNF-alpha for 2 h were significantly decreased by the above two pretreatments. N-acetylcysteine (10 mM) and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (1 mM) had no significant inhibitory effects on the cell surface and mRNA expression of these adhesion molecules stimulated by TNF-alpha. These findings indicate that both cell surface and mRNA expression of adhesion molecules in HDMEC induced by TNF-alpha are inhibited significantly by pretreatment with PDTC or Sper-NO, possibly in part through blocking the activation of NF-kappaB. These results suggest a potential therapeutic approach using antioxidant agents or nitric oxide pathway modulators in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases.