Endothelial microparticle-induced ICAM-1 expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells via ERK1/2 signaling pathway

AIM:To investigate the role of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathway in endothelial microparticle (EMP)-induced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). METHODS: HUVECs were cultured in vitro and fourth to fifth generation cells were chosen for the test. HUVECs were incubated with EMPs at different concentrations and at different times or pretreated with inhibitors of ERK1/2 (PD98059) for 60 min before incubation. Protein expression of ERK1/2 and ICAM-1 was measured by Western blot in HUVECs. Quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to analyze the mRNA expression of ICAM-1 in HUVECs. RESULTS: Exposure to EMPs caused a significant increase in mRNA and protein expressions of ICAM-1 and resulted in a rapid activation of ERK1/2 in a dose- and time-dependent manner (all P<0.01). The effect of EMPs was attenuated by PD98059 (all P<0.01). CONCLUSION: ERK1/2 signaling pathways are involved in EMP-induced expression of ICAM-1 in HUVECs.