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Expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in U937 foam cells and inhibitory effect of imperatorin
Peng-Yuan Yang1, Yao-Cheng Rui, Kai Li
1Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy; Department of Thoracic Cardiac Surgery, Changhai Hospital, The Second Medical Military University, Shanghai 200433, China. Ruiyc@smmu.edu.cn
Insights
Imperatorin (IMP) effectively inhibits intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression in macrophage foam cells. This study demonstrates IMP
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Macrophage-derived foam cells are key in atherosclerosis.
- Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) plays a role in foam cell formation and inflammation.
- Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) induces foam cell formation and elevates ICAM-1.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess ICAM-1 expression in a U937 macrophage-derived foam cell model.
- To investigate the inhibitory effect of imperatorin (IMP) on ICAM-1 expression in these foam cells.
Main Methods:
- Established a macrophage-derived foam cell model using human U937 cells incubated with ox-LDL.
- Treated cells with varying concentrations of imperatorin (IMP).
- Quantified ICAM-1 protein and mRNA levels using Western blotting and Northern blotting, respectively.
Main Results:
- Ox-LDL significantly increased ICAM-1 expression (approx. 15-fold for protein, 10-fold for mRNA).
- Imperatorin pretreatment (50, 100 µmol/L) markedly inhibited ICAM-1 upregulation in foam cells.
- A 100 µmol/L IMP concentration reduced ICAM-1 protein by 79% and mRNA by 74% compared to foam cells.
Conclusions:
- U937 foam cells exhibit significantly enhanced ICAM-1 expression compared to normal U937 cells in vitro.
- Imperatorin demonstrates a potent inhibitory effect on ICAM-1 expression in macrophage-derived foam cells.
Aim:
To investigate the expression level of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in a macrophage-derived foam cell model from human U937 cell line and the inhibitory effect of imperatorin (IMP) on the ICAM-1.
Methods:
U937 cells were incubated with oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) 80 mg/L for 48 h and a macrophage-derived foam cell model was established. The medium was pretreated with different concentrations of IMP (0, 25, 50, 100 micromol/L). ICAM-1 protein expression in cells was measured with Western blotting; ICAM-1 mRNA level in cells was measured by Northern blotting.
Results:
After incubated with ox-LDL, ICAM-1 expression level increased greatly. The increase in ICAM-1 protein level and mRNA level was estimated to be about 15-fold and 10-fold. When the cells were pretreated with imperatorin (50, 100 micromol/L), the increase of ICAM-1 in foam cells were remarkably inhibited. Especially when pretreated with IMP 100 micromol/L, the ICAM-1 protein level decreased by 79 % and the mRNA level decreased by 74 % each compared to the level of foam cells.
Conclusion:
After incubated with ox-LDL in vitro, the U937 foam cells showed an enhanced ICAM-1 expression compared with normal U937 cells. IMP could inhibit the expression of ICAM-1 in U937 foam cells.
