Increasing extracellular Ca 2 + sensitizes TNF-alpha-induced vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) via a TRPC1/ERK1/2/NFκB-dependent pathway in human vascular endothelial cells

摘要

Abstract Increasing circulating Ca 2 + levels within the normal range has been reported to positively correlate with the incidence of fatal cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, limited studies have been able to delineate the potential mechanism(s) linking circulating Ca 2 + to CVD. In this study, we exposed primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human umbilical vein cell line (EA.hy926) to different extracellular Ca 2 + to mimic the physiological state. Our data revealed that increasing extracellular Ca 2 + significantly enhanced susceptibility to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha-stimulated vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 expression and monocytes adhesion. Knocking-down VCAM-1 by siRNA abolished calcium-induced monocytes adhesion on HUVECs. Follow up mechanistic investigations identified that extracellular Ca 2 + -increased calcium influx contributed to the activation of VCAM-1. This was mediated via upregulation of transient receptor potential channel (TRPC)1 in a nuclear factor (NF)κB-dependent manner. Most importantly, we found that a novel TRPC1-regulated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway exclusively contributed to calcium-induced NFκB activation. This study provided direct evidence that increasing extracellular Ca 2 + enhanced TNF-alpha-induced VCAM-1 activation and monocytes adhesion. Moreover, we identified a novel TRPC1/ERK1/2/NFκB signaling pathway mediating VCAM-1 activation and monocyte adhesion in this pathological process. Our studies indicate that blood calcium levels should be strictly monitored to help prevent CVD, and that TRPC1 might act as a potential target for the treatment and prevention against increased circulating calcium-enhanced CVDs. Highlights ? Increasing extracellular Ca 2 + sensitizes HUVECs to TNF-alpha-stimulated VCAM-1. ? TRPC1 upregulation contributes to calcium-enhanced VCAM-1 expression. ? TRPC1/ERK1/2/NFκ-B axis is mechanistically involved in upregulation of VCAM-1 by calcium. ? Calcium-regulated VCAM-1 may contribute to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. ]]>