Neuregulin protects human umbilical vein endothelial cell via activating CD98hc through MAPK pathway

To study the effects of neuregulin on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) protection.

The HUEVC were cultured and divided into three different groups according to their culture conditions. In negative control group (group A), HUVEC were cultured in dulbecco modified eagle medium (DMEM) supplemented with 25 mmol/L glucose and neuregulin (10 ng/ml, 100 ng/ml, and 1000 ng/ml, respectively) for 48 hr. In experimental group (group B), HUVEC were cultured in DMEM with 75 mmol/L glucose and neuregulin (10 ng/ml, 100 ng/ml, and 1000 ng/ml, respectively) for 48 hr. In positive control group (group C), HUVEC were cultured in DMEM supplemented with 75 mmol/L mannitol, 25 mmol/L glucose, and neuregulin (10 ng/ml, 100 ng/ml, and 1000 ng/ml, respectively) for 48 hr. This study aimed to observe the cell morphology in different HUEVC groups and analyze apoptosis in each group via characterizing and detecting the protein expressions of CD98hc, p38, and JNK.

Significant differences in cell morphology were observed in the experimental group when compared with the control groups. In the experimental group, the degree of apoptosis was negatively related to the neuregulin concentration; CD98hc protein concentration was positively related to neuregulin concentration; JNK protein concentration was positively related to neuregulin concentration. However, there was no significant relationship between p38 protein expression and the concentration of glucose in the medium.

Neuregulin could inhibit the apoptosis of HUEVC through the activation of MAPK signaling pathway via activating CD98hc expression.