The effect of salusin-β on expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs)

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerosis is one of the predominant causes of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Several studies indicated the significant pathophysiological role of salusin-β in atherosclerosis. Cytokines are involved in all stages of atherosclerosis. Therefore, we aimed to assess the effect of salusin-β on interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 8 (IL-8), interleukin 18 (IL-18) (as inflammatory cytokines) and interleukin 1Ra (IL-1Ra) (as anti-inflammatory cytokines) levels in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). METHODS: The HUVECs were cultured in HUVEC completed medium and treated with different doses of salusin-β for 6 and 12 hours. For the investigation of nuclear factor ƙβ (NF-ƙβ) signaling pathway involvement, cells were treated in the presence or absence of Bay 11-7082 (as NF-ƙβ inhibitor). The mRNA expression and protein level of cytokines were measured by a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, respectively. RESULTS: Salusin-β increased mRNA expression and protein level of IL-6, IL-8 and IL-18. This protein decreased mRNA and protein level of IL-1Ra in HUVECs. NF-ƙβ signaling pathway was involved in the up-regulatory effect of salusin-β on mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The down-regulatory effect of salusin-β on IL-1Ra expression could not be influenced by Bay 11-7082 pre-treatment. CONCLUSION: It seems that salusin-β may participate in a cascade pathway in vascular inflammation. Our findings suggested that salusin-β has potential use as a therapeutic target for atherosclerosis.