Effect of icariin on the proteomic expression profile of bone microvascular endothelial cells of human femoral head against steroids-induced lesion

Abstract

To explore the effect of icariin on the proteomic expression profile of bone microvascular endothelial cells of human femoral head against steroids-induced lesion using protein chip system in vitro. Bone microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) in cancellous bone of femoral head were isolated and harvested in vitro.The model of BMECs injury induced by glucocorticoid and icariin preconditioning was established. The apoptosis of BMECs were detected with terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL)methods. The proteomic expression profile of BMECs in each group were detected by protein chip system. The apoptosis rates of hydrocortisone groups (46.9%±5.8%, 78.0%±8.5%) were significantly higher than that of normal group(4.8%±1.3%), meanwhile the apoptosis rate of icariin+ hydrocortisone groups(15.2%±7.7%, 44.6%±5.3%)significantly decreased compared with hydrocortisone group (P<0.001). The results of protein chip showed that the expression of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in the hydrocortisone group decreased compared with the control group, meanwhile the expression of IL-4 increased. The expression of G-CSF in the icariin+ hydrocortisone groups increased compared with the hydrocortisone group, meanwhile the expression of IL-4 decreased.No appreciable change was found in the expression of apoptotic factors. The therapy effect of icariin for steroid-induced necrosis of femoral head might be related with the protective action to BMECs and the moderating effect of promoting the proteins expression of pro-angiogenesis factor and inhibiting expression of inflammatory factor.