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Pro-Inflammatory Activation Promotes Atherogenic Endothelial Phenotype in Male and Female Human Umbilical Endothelial

Mario Lorenz1,2,3, Riwka Palant1,2,4, Edith Oscherowa1,5

  • 1Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany.

International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|April 14, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Cellular sex drives early atherosclerosis differences. Male cells show increased focal adhesion proteins and inflammatory markers, while female cells uniquely upregulate IL-22, revealing hormone-independent vascular inflammation mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Endothelial Cell Biology
  • Vascular Inflammation

Background:

  • Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of death, disproportionately affecting men.
  • Understanding sex-specific differences in early vascular inflammation is crucial for targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate sex-specific, hormone-independent endothelial cell responses in early atherosclerosis.
  • To analyze differences in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) from opposite-sex twins.

Main Methods:

  • Pro-inflammatory stimulation of HUVECs with TNF-α and THP-1 cell supernatant.
  • Analysis of mRNA and protein expression of focal adhesion proteins, adhesion molecules, and cytokines.
  • Utilized opposite-sex twins to control for genetic background and minimize hormonal influence.

Main Results:

  • Male HUVECs showed increased mRNA for talin-I, vinculin, FAK, and α1-actinin; paxillin increased in both sexes.
  • Male HUVECs had higher VCAM-1, IL-1β, Flt-3L, G-CSF, and PDGF-AA induction.
  • Female HUVECs exclusively upregulated IL-22 secretion.

Conclusions:

  • Distinct cellular sex differences in endothelial phenotype contribute to early atherosclerosis.
  • These findings highlight cellular sex as a key factor in vascular inflammation, independent of systemic hormones.
  • Reveals mechanistic insights into sex disparities in atherosclerosis development.

Keywords:
cytokinesfocal proteinshuman umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs)inflammationsex differences

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