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Updated: Mar 30, 2026
Glucose Uptake Measurement and Response to Insulin Stimulation in In Vitro Cultured Human Primary Myotubes
Published on: June 25, 2017
Effects of high glucose on human umbilical vein endothelial cell permeability and myosin light chain phosphorylation
Xiao-Yan Zhao1, Xiao-Fang Wang1, Ling Li1
1Department of Cardiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No.1 Jianshe East Road, 450052 Zhengzhou, China.
Background:
Diabetes mellitus is one of the most important risk factors for atherosclerosis. However, the mechanisms underlying high-glucose-induced atherosclerosis remain unclear. This study was designed to observe the effects of high-glucose stimulation on the permeability of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and to explore the effects of RhoA-Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) signal transduction pathway activation and myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation.
Methods:
HUVECs were cultured in conventional M199 medium to produce endothelial cell monolayers, and stimulated with high-glucose-M199 medium. The transmembrane transport of dextran and THP-1 cells and levels of MLC phosphorylation were measured. The effects of blocking the RhoA-ROCK pathway using dnRhoA or the ROCK inhibitor Y27632 on dextran and THP-1 transport and MLC phosphorylation were observed.
Results:
Transendothelial migration of dextran and THP-1 cells were significantly increased by stimulation of HUVEC monolayers with high glucose (P < 0.05). This effect was attenuated by treatment with dnRhoA or Y27632.
Conclusion:
High-glucose stimulation upregulated MLC phosphorylation and increased endothelial permeability by activating the RhoA-ROCK signaling pathway in HUVECs in vitro.
