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Updated: May 16, 2026
Quantitation of Endothelial Cell Adhesiveness In Vitro
Published on: June 18, 2015
Berberine‑attenuated monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells induced by oxidized low‑density lipoprotein
Zhouqing Huang1, Xueli Cai, Sheng Li
1Cardiac Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Zhejiang 325000, P.R. China.
Insights
Berberine, a natural compound, significantly reduces monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells, a key factor in early atherosclerosis. This protective effect is linked to suppressing adhesion molecules like VCAM-1 and ICAM-1.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Cell Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Monocyte recruitment to endothelial cells is crucial in early atherosclerosis.
- Cellular adhesion molecules, such as VCAM-1 and ICAM-1, mediate this process.
- Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) triggers endothelial cell activation and adhesion molecule expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of berberine on monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells.
- To elucidate the underlying mechanism of berberine's action in this context.
Main Methods:
- Utilized human umbilical vein endothelial cells and monocytes.
- Assessed the impact of berberine on oxLDL-induced monocyte adhesion.
- Quantified the expression levels of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1.
Main Results:
- Berberine significantly inhibited oxLDL-induced monocyte adhesion.
- Berberine suppressed the expression of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1.
- These findings suggest a protective role for berberine.
Conclusions:
- Berberine demonstrates a protective effect against early atherosclerosis development.
- Berberine's mechanism involves downregulating key adhesion molecules.
- This study highlights berberine as a potential therapeutic agent for atherosclerosis.
Abstract:
Recruitment of monocytes to endothelial cells is important during early stages of atherosclerosis development. This process is predominantly mediated by cellular adhesion molecules, including vascular cell adhesion molecule‑1 (VCAM‑1) and intercellular adhesion molecule‑1 (ICAM‑1), which are expressed by activated endothelial cells in response to a number of inflammatory stimuli, including oxidized low‑density lipoprotein (oxLDL). Previous studies have demonstrated that berberine, a natural extract from Rhizoma coptidis, prevents oxLDL‑induced endothelial cellular apoptosis. However, its effect on the adhesion of monocytes to endothelial cells and the mechanism associated with this process remains unclear. In the present study, berberine was revealed to markedly reduce oxLDL‑induced monocyte adhesion to human umbilical vein endothelial cells. In addition, the inhibitory mechanism of berberine was associated with suppression of adhesion molecule expression, including VCAM‑1 and ICAM‑1. Results indicate that berberine plays a protective role in the early stages of atherosclerosis.
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