Primary cultures of endothelial cell were identified by the immunofluorescent detection of von Willebrand's factor (vWF). Wild-type and IKK? knockout endothelial cells were treated with ox-LDL and effects on ultrastructural morphology were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy. Western blotting analysis was conducted to evaluate effects on IL-18, VEGF, IKK¦Á, IKK¦Â, IKK?, p65 and p50 expression.
From the ultrastructural morphology of endothelial cells and the expression of inflammatory factor such as IL-18 and VEGF, it was suggested that IKK? knockout endothelial cells showed less severe ox-LDL-induced injury compared to wild-type endothelial cells. Ox-LDL increased IKK? and phosphorylated IKK? expression in wild-type endothelial cells, while no significant change in IKK¦Á and IKK¦Â levels was observed. Ox-LDL significantly increased the expression of p65(or p50) and phosphorylated p65(or p50) in wild-type endothelial cells, while this effect was completely blocked in IKK? knockout endothelial cells.
IKK? might play an important role in ox-LDL-induced injury of endothelial cells.