Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells Research Articles

GW24-e0989 No significant difference of adeno-associated virus serotype 9 transfection efficiency comparison in different cells

ObjectivesTo make a comparison on the efficiency of two kinds of cells for transfecting adeno-associated virus serotype 9 carried enhanced green fluorescence protein, and to demonstrate that adeno-associated virus serotype...

GW24-e2360 Study on antiangiogenesis activity of sponge derived compound BA in vitro

ObjectivesTo evaluate the effect of compound BA on angiogenesis in vitroand investigate its biological activity.MethodsHuman Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) were treated by serious concentrations of BA for 24 h,...

GW24-e1136 Shear stress affects the uptake of oxidised low-density lipoprotein by human vascular endothelial cells

ObjectivesIn vivo, vascular endothelial cells are constantly subjected to and sensitive to fluid shear stress. Shear stress may be the most crucial local factor affecting atherogenesis. Atherosclerotic lesions preferentially develop...

RESVEGA, by the presence of Resveratrol, inhibits retinal endothelial tube formation

AbstractPurpose Resveratrol (RES) is a polyphenol with various properties. RESVEGA, a food supplement developed by Thea, contains 2% of RES. The aim of this study was to examine the activity of RES and RESVEGA on endothelial cells.Methods Compounds activity was tested using an in vitro angiogenesis assay. Endothelial cells obtained from human umbilical vein (HUVEC) and monkey retinal endothelial cells (RF/6A) were used for this assay. 96‐well cell cultures plates were coated with Matrigel. Cells (15000 per well) were incubated in the presence of RES, RESVEGA or vehicle. Tube formation was recorded every 15 min during 5 hours using Time Lapse Video Microscopy. At each time point, 3 fields per well were photographed and images were analysed using Metamorph software. Each experiment was repeated three times, with triplicate samples.Results RES and RESVEGA products activities were compared at the following concentrations: 25, 50 and 100 µM. Both RES, tested on HUVEC and RF/6A, and RESVEGA, tested on RF/6A, reduced the ability of endothelial cells to form vascular networks on Matrigel. This inhibitory effect was dose dependent in the range of 25‐100 µM.Conclusion This is the first report of the anti‐angiogenic effect of RES on RF/6A retinal endothelial cells. RESVEGA supplement presents the same anti‐angiogenic activity than resveratrol alone. Commercial interest

Maldevelopment of dermal lymphatics in Wnt5a-knockout-mice

Maintenance of tissue homeostasis and immune surveillance are important functions of the lymphatic vascular system. Lymphatic vessels are lined by lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs). By gene micro-array expression studies we recently compared human lymphangioma-derived LECs with umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Here, we followed up on these studies. Besides well-known LEC markers, we observed regulation of molecules involved in immune regulation, acetylcholine degradation and platelet regulation. Moreover we identified differentially expressed WNT pathway components, which play important roles in the morphogenesis of various organs, including the blood vascular system. WNT signaling has not yet been addressed in lymphangiogenesis. We found high expression of FZD3, FZD5 and DKK2 mRNA in HUVECs, and WNT5A in LECs. The latter was verified in normal skin-derived LECs. With immunohistological methods we detected WNT5A in LECs, as well as ROR1, ROR2 and RYK in both LECs and HUVECs. In the human, mutations of WNT5A or its receptor ROR2 cause the Robinow syndrome. These patients show multiple developmental defects including the cardio-vascular system. We studied Wnt5a-knockout (ko) mouse embryos at day 18.5. We show that the number of dermal lymphatic capillaries is significantly lower in Wnt5a-null-mice. However, the mean size of individual lymphatics and the LEC number per vessel are greater. In sum, the total area covered by lymphatics and the total number of LECs are not significantly altered. The reduced number of lymphatic capillaries indicates a sprouting defect rather than a proliferation defect in the dermis of Wnt5a-ko-mice, and identifies Wnt5a as a regulator of lymphangiogenesis.

Anti-angiogenic effect of the total flavonoids in Scutellaria barbata D. Don

BackgroundAngiogenesis is closely related to the growth, invasion and metastasis of tumors, also considered as the key target of anticancer therapy. Scutellaria barbata D. Don (S. barbata), a traditional Chinese medicine, is being used to treat various diseases, including cancer. However, the antitumor molecular mechanism of S. barbata was still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effects of the total flavones in S. barbata (TF-SB) on angiogenesis.MethodsHuman umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with various concentrations of TF-SB. Cell viability was examined using the MTT assay. The scratch assay was used to detect the migration of HUVECs after treatment with TF-SB. The ability of HUVECs to form network structures in vitro was demonstrated using the tube formation assay. The chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane assay was performed to detect the in vivo anti-angiogenic effect. The expression of VEGF was measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent.ResultsResults showed that TF-SB inhibited the proliferation and migration of HUVECs in a dose- dependent manner. Simultaneously, TF-SB significantly suppressed HUVEC angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, VEGF was downregulated in both HUVECs and MHCC97-H cells after TF-SB treatment.ConclusionTF-SB could suppress the process of angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo. TF-SB potentially suppresses angiogenesis in HUVECs by regulating VEGF. These findings suggested that TF-SB may serve as a potent anti-angiogenic agent.

Trans-3,4,5,4′-tetramethoxystilbene, a resveratrol analog, potently inhibits angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo

Aim:Trans-3,4,5,4′-tetramethoxystilbene (DMU-212) has shown strong antiproliferative activities against a variety of cancer cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-angiogenic effects of DMU-212 in vitro and in vivo.Methods:Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were used in this study. Cell viability was studied with MTT assay, and cell apoptosis was evaluated using TUNEL assay and morphological observation. The expression of the related genes and proteins was analyzed with qRT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. Angiogenesis of HUVECs were studied using cell migration and capillary-like tube formation assays in vitro, and mouse Matrigel plug assay and chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay in vivo. The tyrosine kinase activities of VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 were measured using commercial kits.Results:DMU-212 (5–80 μmol/L) significantly inhibited VEGF-stimulated proliferation of HUVECs (IC50 value was approximately 20 μmol/L), and induced apoptosis. Furthermore, DMU-212 concentration-dependently inhibited VEGF-induced migration of HUVECs and capillary-like structure formation in vitro. DMU-212 also inhibited VEGF-induced generation of new vasculature in Matrigel plugs in vivo with significantly decreased area of infiltrating CD31-positive endothelial cells, and inhibited newly formed microvessels in chick CAMs. Moreover, DMU-212 concentration-dependently suppressed VEGF-induced phosphorylation of VEGFR2, and inhibited phosphorylation of multiple downstream signaling components in the VEGFR2 pathway, including c-Src, FAK, Erk1/2, Akt, mTOR, and p70S6K in HUVECs. DMU-212 had no effect on VEGF-induced phosphorylation of VEGFR1.Conclusion:DMU-212 is a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis that exerts anti-angiogenic activity at least in part through the VEGFR2 signaling pathway.

AB0237 Endothelin-1 induces alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) expression in cultured human endothelial cells

BackgroundMyofibroblasts are activated fibroblasts mainly characterized by the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) playing a prominent role in the fibrotic process that characterizes some connective tissue diseases, in particular...

Targeting angiogenesis driven by fibroblast growth factor using RPT835, an FGFR2 inhibitor.

e22097 Background: The fibroblast growth factor (FGF)/FGF receptors (FGFR) signaling axis plays a key role in driving tumor angiogenesis. There is little data on the targeting of FGF-induced angiogenesis. We describe here the targeting angiogenesis driven by FGF using RPT835, novel inhibitor of the FGFR2 extracellular domain (received from RusPharmTech, LLC). Methods: To assess the efficacy of RPT835 on FGF-mediated endothelial cells proliferation, the human umbilical vein endothelial FGFR-expressing cells (HUVEC) were incubated in a 96-well microculture plate and were treated with serially diluted RPT835 or Brivanib as a control. Basic FGF was added at a concentration of 25 ng/ml. Control wells were left untreated. Cell growth inhibition was determined using Promega’s Cell Titer-Glo assay. In vivo angiogenesis was measured with subcutaneously implanted Matrigel plugs containing bFGF (100 ng/ml) or bFGF (100 ng/ml) + bevacizumab (10 mg/kg) or bFGF (100 ng/ml) + RPT835 (15 mg/kg). Control group was without stimulation and treatment. Each group included 3 mice. Number of endothelial cells/vessels was calculated. Results: Basic FGF significantly increased proliferation of the HUVEC cells (P=0.001) in untreated control group. RPT835 significantly inhibited FGF-triggered endothelial cell proliferation when compared with control (P<0.001) or brivanib (P<0.001, IC50=289 nmol/L) with IC50 of 11 nmol/L. In vivo, bFGF induced proliferation of endotheliocytes and mature vessels formation (P<0.001). There were no vessels in FGFR2 inhibitor group. Bevacizumab did not decrease number of vessels in comparison with FGF-stimulated angiogenesis (P=0.9). Conclusions: Inhibition of bFGF/FGFR2 pathway resulted in effects on endothelial cells proliferation andmature vessels formation. Bevacizumab had no activity in FGF-induced angiogenesis.

Cellular senescence determines endothelial cell damage induced by uremia

Renal dysfunction is closely associated with endothelial damage leading to cardiovascular disease. However, the extent to which endothelial damage induced by uremia is modulated by aging is poorly known. Aging can render endothelial cells more susceptible to apoptosis through an oxidative stress-dependent pathway. We examined whether senescence-associated to oxidative stress determines the injury induced by the uremia in endothelial cells.Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) was incubated with human uremic serum and, in the animal model, endothelial cells were obtained from aortas of uremic and no uremic rats. Vitamin C was used to prevent oxidative stress. Senescence, assessed by telomere length and enzyme-betagalactosidase (β-gal), reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial depolarization (JC-1 probe), caspase 3, and apoptosis were determined by flow cytometry. NF-κB activity was determined by Western blot.Uremic serum increased ROS and NF-κB in young and aging HUVEC. However only in aging cells, uremic serum induced apoptosis (vs young HUVEC, p<0.01). The endothelial damage induced by uremia seems to be related with the increased oxidative stress, since in both HUVEC and in the experimental model of renal disease in rats, vitamin C prevents endothelial apoptosis. However, vitamin C did not decrease the oxidative stress associated to senescence. These results showed that as compared with young cells, senescent cells have high sensitivity to damage associated to the oxidative stress induced by the uremia. Consequently, protecting senescent endothelial cells from increased oxidative stress might be an effective therapeutic approach in the treatment of vascular disorders in chronic kidney diseases.

Materials composed of theDrosophila melanogasterprotein ultrabithorax are cytocompatible

The Drosophila melanogaster Hox protein ultrabithorax (Ubx) has the interesting ability to hierarchically self-assemble in vitro into materials that have mechanical properties comparable to natural elastin. Ubx materials can be easily functionalized by gene fusion, generating potentially useful scaffolds for cell and tissue engineering. Here, we tested the cytocompatibility of fibers composed of Ubx or an mCherry-Ubx fusion protein. Fibers were cultured with three primary human cell lines derived from vasculature at low passage: umbilical vein endothelial cells, brain vascular pericytes, or aortic smooth muscle cells. No direct or indirect toxicity was observed for any cell line, in response to fibers composed of either plain Ubx or mCherry-Ubx. Cells readily adhered to Ubx fibers, and cells attached to fibers could be transferred between tissue cultures without loss of viability for at least 96 h. When attached to fibers, the morphology of the three cell lines differed somewhat, but all cells in contact with Ubx fibers exhibited a microtubular network aligned with the long axis of Ubx fibers. Thus, Ubx fibers are cytocompatible with cultured primary human vascular cells.

PM.09 The Effect of Glucocorticoids on Angiogenesis in the Human Placenta

BackgroundFetal growth restriction (FGR) is associated with glucocorticoid (GC) excess in human pregnancies and animal models. In mice and rats, GC treatment reduces placental angiogenesis and dysregulates the expression of...

Sphingosine-1-phosphate induces VEGF-C expression through a MMP-2/FGF-1/FGFR-1-dependent pathway in endothelial cells in vitro

To investigate whether sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a potent angiogenic factor, induced vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) expression in endothelial cells in vitro and to examine its underlying mechanisms. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were examined. VEGF-C mRNA expression in the cells was assessed using real-time PCR. VEGF-C protein and FGFR-1 phosphorylation in the cells were measured with ELISA. RNA interference was used to downregulate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) and FGF receptor-1 (FGFR-1). Incubation of HUVECs with S1P (1, 5, and 10 μmol/L) significantly increased VEGF-C expression. The effect was blocked by pretreatment with the MMP inhibitor GM6001 or the FGFR inhibitor SU5402, but not the EGFR inhibitor AG1478. The effect was also blocked in HUVECs that were transfected with FGFR-1 or MMP-2 siRNA. Furthermore, incubation of HUVECs with S1P (5 μmol/L) significantly increased FGFR-1 phosphorylation, which was blocked by GM6001. Moreover, knockdown of FGF-1, not FGF-2, in HUVECs with siRNAs, blocked S1P-induced VEGF-C expression. S1P induces VEGF-C expression through a MMP-2/ FGF-1/FGFR-1-dependent pathway in HUVECs.

Doxycycline-Mediated Inhibition of Corneal Angiogenesis: An MMP-Independent Mechanism

We explored the underlying mechanisms of doxycycline inhibition of corneal angiogenesis. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured in vitro in the presence or absence of VEGF, doxycycline, or broad-spectrum matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibitors (1,10-phenanthroline [1PT] and batimastat). HUVEC proliferation was determined using Cell Counting Kit-8. Rats with VEGF-induced corneal neovascularization (CNV) were treated with saline solution, 0.1% doxycycline, 0.1% 1PT, or 50 μM batimastat (n = 7/group). The length and area of CNV were measured on day 7. The activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was determined by a fluorogenic peptide substrate. Western blotting and ELISA were used to analyze the expression of phosphorylated eNOS and Akt, and PI3K activity. Our results showed that doxycycline inhibited HUVEC proliferation induced by VEGF in a dose-dependent manner in vitro, and decreased CNV induced by VEGF in vivo in terms of vessel length and area. 1PT and batimastat showed similar MMP inhibitory functions with doxycycline in vitro and in vivo, but they had no effects on HUVEC proliferation, and only partially mimicked the inhibitory properties of doxycycline (∼45%) on angiogenesis induced by VEGF. In addition, although doxycycline is capable of modulating the PI3K/Akt-eNOS pathway in vitro and in vivo in an MMP-independent manner, 1PT and batimastat were not. The mechanism of doxycycline-mediated inhibition of angiogenesis occurs through MMP inhibitory activity and modulation of the PI3K/Akt-eNOS pathway, an MMP-independent mechanism.

HJURP Regulates Cellular Senescence in Human Fibroblasts and Endothelial Cells Via a p53-Dependent Pathway

Holliday junction recognition protein (HJURP), a centromere protein-A (CENP-A) histone chaperone, mediates centromere-specific assembly of CENP-A nucleosome, contributing to high-fidelity chromosome segregation during cell division. However, the role of HJURP in cellular senescence of human primary cells remains unclear. We found that the expression levels of HJURP decreased in human dermal fibroblasts and umbilical vein endothelial cells in replicative or premature senescence. Ectopic expression of HJURP in senescent cells partially overcame cell senescence. Conversely, downregulation of HJURP in young cells led to premature senescence. p53 knockdown, but not p16 knockdown, abolished senescence phenotypes caused by HJURP reduction. These data suggest that HJURP plays an important role in the regulation of cellular senescence through a p53-dependent pathway and might contribute to tissue or organismal aging and protection of cellular transformation.

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibody attenuates inflammation and decreases mortality in an experimental model of severe sepsis

IntroductionSevere sepsis is associated with an unacceptably high rate of mortality. Recent studies revealed elevated levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a potent angiogenic and vascular permeability factor, in patients with sepsis. There was also an association between VEGF levels and sepsis severity. Here we investigate the effects of an anti-VEGF antibody (Bevacizumab, Bev) in an experimental model of sepsis.MethodsHuman umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), murine cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), and endotoxemia models of sepsis were used. HUVECs were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and/or Bev, harvested and cytokine mRNA levels determined using a semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay. The levels of inflammatory cytokine were also determined in HUVECs supernatants. In addition, the effects of Bev on mortality in the CLP and endotoxemia models of sepsis were evaluated.ResultsTreatment with Bev and LPS significantly decreased the expression and the level of inflammatory cytokines in HUVECs relative to LPS alone. In CLP and endotoxemia models, survival benefits were evident in mice given 0.1 mg/kg of Bev relative to the CLP or LPS alone (P <0.001 and P = 0.028, respectively), and in 6 h post-treated mice relative to the CLP alone for the effect of different time of Bev (P = 0.033). In addition, Bev treatment inhibited LPS-induced vascular leak in the lung, spleen and kidney in the murine endotoxemia model (P <0.05).ConclusionsAnti-VEGF antibody may be a promising therapeutic agent due to its beneficial effects on the survival of sepsis by decreasing inflammatory responses and endothelial permeability.

AMP-activated protein kinase regulates L-arginine mediated cellular responses

BackgroundOur prior study revealed the loss in short-term L-Arginine (ARG) therapeutic efficacy after continuous exposure; resulting in tolerance development, mediated by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) down-regulation, secondary to oxidative stress and induced glucose accumulation. However, the potential factor regulating ARG cellular response is presently unknown.MethodHuman umbilical vein endothelial cells were incubated with 100 μM ARG for 2 h in buffer (short-term or acute), or for 7 days in culture medium and challenged for 2 h in buffer (continuous or chronic), in the presence or absence of other agents. eNOS activity was determined by analyzing cellular nitrite/nitrate (NO2–/NO3–), and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity was assayed using SAMS peptide. 13C6 glucose was added to medium to measure glucose uptake during cellular treatments, which were determined by LC-MS/MS. Cellular glucose was identified by o-toluidine method. Superoxide (O2•–) was identified by EPR-spin-trap, and peroxynitrite (ONOO–) was measured by flow-cytometer using aminophenyl fluorescein dye.ResultsShort-term incubation of cells with 100 μM ARG in the presence or absence of 30 μM L-NG-Nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or 30 μM AMPK inhibitor (compound C, CMP-C) increased cellular oxidative stress and overall glucose accumulation with no variation in glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1), or AMPK activity from control. The increase in total NO2–/NO3– after 2 h 100 μM ARG exposure, was suppressed in cells co-incubated with 30 μM CMP-C or L-NAME. Long-term exposure of ARG with or without CMP-C or L-NAME suppressed NO2–/NO3–, glucose uptake, GLUT-1, AMPK expression and activity below control, and increased overall cellular glucose, O2•– and ONOO–. Gluconeogenesis inhibition with 30 μM 5-Chloro-2-N-2,5-dichlorobenzenesulfonamido-benzoxazole (CDB) during ARG exposure for 2 h maintained overall cellular glucose to control, but increased cellular glucose uptake. Continuous co-incubation with CDB and ARG increased NO2–/NO3–, glucose uptake, GLUT-1, AMPK expression and activity, and maintained overall cellular glucose, O2•– and ONOO– to control conditions.ConclusionThe present study provides the fundamental evidence for AMPK as the primary modulator of ARG cellular responses and for regulating the mode of glucose accumulation during short-term and continuous ARG treatments.

Proper design of silica nanoparticles combines high brightness, lack of cytotoxicity and efficient cell endocytosis

Silica-based luminescent nanoparticles (SiNPs) show promising prospects in nanomedicine in light of their chemical properties and versatility. In this study, we have characterized silica core-PEG shell SiNPs derivatized with PEG moieties (NP-PEG), with external amino- (NP-PEG-amino) or carboxy-groups (NP-PEG-carbo), both in cell cultures as well as in animal models. By using different techniques, we could demonstrate that these SiNPs were safe and did not exhibit appreciable cytotoxicity in different relevant cell models, of normal or cancer cell types, growing either in suspension (JVM-2 leukemic cell line and primary normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells) or in adherence (human hepatocarcinoma Huh7 and umbilical vein endothelial cells). Moreover, by multiparametric flow cytometry, we could demonstrate that the highest efficiency of cell uptake and entry was observed with NP-PEG-amino, with a stable persistence of the fluorescence signal associated with SiNPs in the loaded cell populations both in vitro and in vivo settings suggesting this as an innovative method for cell traceability and detection in whole organisms. Finally, experiments performed with the endocytosis inhibitor Genistein clearly suggested the involvement of a caveolae-mediated pathway in SiNP endocytosis. Overall, these data support the safe use of these SiNPs for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Regulation of Ecto-5´-Nucleotidase by Docosahexaenoic Acid in Human Endothelial Cells

Background/Aims: Modulation of extracellular adenine nucleotide and adenosine concentrations is one potential mechanism by which docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may exert beneficial effects in critically ill patients. This study assessed DHA effects on extracellular adenine purines. Methods: Experiments used human pulmonary endothelial cells (HPMEC) and umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) treated with DHA (48 h). mRNA level (real-time PCR), expression (western blot, flow cytometry) and activities (hydrolysis of etheno(ε)-purines and fluorescence HPLC) of CD73 (ecto-5´-nucleotidase) and CD39 (ecto-NTPDase-1) were quantified. Results: DHA elevated total CD73 membrane protein expression concentration-dependently but CD73 mRNA level did not change. Increased expression was paralleled by increased enzyme activity. Effects observed on membrane level were reversed in intact cells, in which ε-AMP hydrolysis decreased after DHA. In intact endothelial cells ATP release was enhanced and CD39 activity blunted following DHA treatment. Hence, extracellular ATP and ADP concentrations increased and this inhibited ε-AMP hydrolysis. Conclusion: In human endothelial cells DHA caused 1) up-regulation of CD73 protein content and increased AMP hydrolysis at the cell membrane level, 2) increased cellular ATP release, and 3) decreased extracellular ATP/ADP hydrolysis. Thus, reorganization of the extracellular adenine-nucleotide-adenosine axis in response to DHA resulted in an increased extracellular ATP/adenosine ratio.

Amiloride attenuates lipopolysaccharide-accelerated atherosclerosis via inhibition of NHE1-dependent endothelial cell apoptosis

To investigate the effects of the potassium-sparing diuretic amiloride on endothelial cell apoptosis during lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-accelerated atherosclerosis. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were exposed to LPS (100 ng/mL) in the presence of drugs tested. The activity of Na(+)/H(+) exchanger 1 (NHE1) and calpain, intracellular free Ca(2+)level ([Ca(2+)](i)), as well as the expression of apoptosis-related proteins in the cells were measured. For in vivo study, ApoE-deficient (ApoE(-/-)) mice were fed high-fat diets with 0.5% (w/w) amiloride for 4 weeks and LPS (10 μg/mouse) infusion into caudal veins. Afterwards, atherosclerotic lesions, NHE1 activity and Bcl-2 expression in the aortic tissues were evaluated. LPS treatment increased NHE1 activity and [Ca(2+)](i) in HUVECs in a time-dependent manner, which was associated with increased activity of the Ca(2+)-dependent protease calpain. Amiloride (1-10 μmol/L) significantly suppressed LPS-induced increases in NHE1 activity, [Ca(2+)](i). and calpain activity. In the presence of the Ca(2+) chelator BAPTA (0.5 mmol/L), LPS-induced increase of calpain activity was also abolished. In LPS-treated HUVECs, the expression of Bcl-2 protein was significantly decreased without altering its mRNA level. In the presence of amiloride (10 μmol/L) or the calpain inhibitor ZLLal (50 μmol/L), the down-regulation of Bcl-2 protein by LPS was blocked. LPS treatment did not alter the expression of Bax and Bak proteins in HUVECs. In the presence of amiloride, BAPTA or ZLLal, LPS-induced HUVEC apoptosis was significantly attenuated. In ApoE(-/-) mice, administration of amiloride significantly suppressed LPS-accelerated atherosclerosis and LPS-induced increase of NHE1 activity, and reversed LPS-induced down-regulation of Bcl-2 expression. LPS stimulates NHE1 activity, increases [Ca(2+)](i), and activates calpain, which leads to endothelial cell apoptosis related to decreased Bcl-2 expression. Amiloride inhibits NHE1 activity, thus attenuates LPS-accelerated atherosclerosis in mice.