Tibolone inhibits leukocyte adhesion molecule expression in human endothelial cells

Tibolone is a synthetic steroid with mixed estrogenic and progestogenic/androgenic activity used for post-menopausal hormone replacement therapy. Since its cardiovascular effects are still not clear, and no data have been published on possible direct actions on the vessel wall, we studied the effects of tibolone and its metabolites on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced expression of leukocyte adhesion molecules on human endothelial cells. Tibolone and its two estrogenic 3alpha-OH and 3beta-OH metabolites, but not the progestogenic/androgenic Delta(4)-isomer, concentration-dependently decreased LPS-induced vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 protein expression. This effect was estrogen receptor dependent, since it was completely blocked by the pure estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182780. Furthermore, only tibolone, the 3alpha-OH and the 3beta-OH metabolites decreased endothelial expression of E-selectin, while none of the compounds changed the levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1. These findings were associated with parallel changes in mRNA levels for the three adhesion molecules. Our data show that tibolone and its estrogenic metabolites exert direct actions on the vascular wall, decreasing the expression of endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecules, thus producing potentially important direct anti-atherogenic effects.     

Atorvastatin inhibits myocardin expression in vascular smooth muscle cells

Atorvastatin (ATV), an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, is widely prescribed as a lipid-lowering drug. It also inhibits the RhoA-Rho-associated kinase pathway in vascular smooth muscle (SM) cells and critically inhibits SM function. Myocardin is a coactivator of serum response factor, which upregulates SM contractile proteins. The RhoA-Rho-associated kinase pathway, which directly triggers SM contraction, also increases myocardin gene expression. Therefore, we investigated whether ATV inhibits myocardin gene expression in SM cells. In mice injected with ATV (IP 20 μg/g per day) for 5 days, myocardin gene expression was significantly downregulated in aortic and carotid arterial tissues with decreased expression of myocardin target genes SM α-actin and SM22. Correspondingly, the contractility of aortic rings in mice treated with ATV or the Rho-associated kinase inhibitor Y-27632 was reduced in response to treatment with either KCl or phenylephrine. In cultured mouse and human aortic SM cells, KCl treatment stimulated the expression of myocardin, SM α-actin, and SM22. These stimulatory effects were prevented by ATV treatment. ATV-induced inhibition of myocardin expression was prevented by pretreatment with either mevalonate or geranylgeranylpyrophosphate but not farnesylpyrophosphate. Treatment with Y-27632 mimicked ATV effects on the gene expression of myocardin, SM α-actin, and SM22, further suggesting a role for the RhoA-Rho-associated kinase pathway in ATV effects. Furthermore, ATV treatment inhibited RhoA membrane translocation and activation; these effects were prevented by pretreatment with mevalonate. We conclude that ATV inhibits myocardin gene expression in vivo and in vitro, suggesting a novel mechanism for ATV inhibition of vascular contraction.     

Platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor inhibits DNA synthesis in vascular smooth muscle cells

Platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PD-ECGF) is linked to angiogenesis in human cancer. Direct studies have demonstrated that PD-ECGF is a potent mitogen for endothelial cells in vivo. Because endothelial repair and smooth muscle cell proliferation are two processes that affect arterial wall structure and tone, we analyzed the effects of PD-ECGF on DNA synthesis and creatine kinase BB-specific activity (CK) in human umbilical artery smooth muscle cells (SMC) and in a human umbilical endothelial cell line (E304). In SMC, PD-ECGF (0.001 to 10 U/mL) inhibited DNA synthesis dose dependently (−24% + 6% to −63% + 15%) assessed by ³[H]thymidine incorporation into DNA, whereas in E304 it stimulated DNA synthesis dose dependently (30% + 4% to 100% + 4%). In both SMC and E304, however, PD-ECGF elicited an increase in CK-specific activity by 54% to 130% and 79% to 163%, respectively. These effects were reversed by a specific anti-PD-ECGF antibody. In E304 cells PD-ECGF enhanced 17β-estradiol (E₂) or dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced DNA synthesis from 56% to 122% and from 127% to 359%, and CK activity from 70% to 180% and from 90% to 190%, respectively. In SMC PD-ECGF, an inhibitor of ³[H]thymidine incorporation by itself, markedly enhanced the stimulatory effect of low concentrations of E₂ and DHT on ³[H]thymidine incorporation. It also increased E₂ and DHT CK induction from 40% to 140% and from 52% to 120%, respectively. In both E304 and SMC, PD-ECGF inhibited the proliferative and the CK-inducing effects of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and immunoglobulin F₁ (IGF₁). Thus, PD-ECGF, an established growth promoter for endothelial cells, is a potent inhibitor of DNA synthesis in human arterial SMC. However, in both E304 endothelial cells and SMC, PD-ECGF enhances the stimulatory effect of low concentrations of gonadal steroids on ³[H]thymidine incorporation. PD-ECGF antagonizes PDGF- and IGF₁-induced DNA synthesis in both E304 and SMC cells. By inhibiting arterial SMC proliferation and accelerating endothelial cell replication, PD-ECGF may buffer the effect of PDGF and favorably modulate arterial wall response to injury.     

一氧化氮对大鼠主动脉血管平滑肌细胞骨桥蛋白表达的影响

目的:观察一氧化氮(NO)对培养的大鼠主动脉血管平滑肌细胞(VSMC)骨桥蛋白(OPN)表达的影响。方法:体外培养大鼠主动脉VSMC,随机分为对照组,不同浓度NO供体S-亚硝基-N-乙酰青霉胺(SNAP,0.5,1,2,5mmol)干预组,应用RT-PCR及Western blot技术结合光密度扫描分析,观察SNAP对VSMC的OPN表达的影响。结果:不同浓度SNAP均明显抑制VSMC的OPN mRNA和蛋白的表达,且具有剂量依赖性抑制作用。结论:NO能抑制VSMC的OPN表达。     

高糖刺激血管平滑肌细胞血管内皮生长因子的表达

平滑肌细胞可分泌血管内皮生长因子 (ＶＥＧＦ) 〔1〕,在糖尿病视网膜组织中ＶＥＧＦ表达明显增高〔2〕。ＶＥＧＦ的主要功能是增加血管通透性、促进内皮细胞增生和促进新血管增殖。推测ＶＥＧＦ与糖尿病视网膜血管病的病理变化直接相关。本研究探讨Ｄ 葡萄糖浓度、作用时间以及波动糖浓度刺激对ＶＥＧＦ表达的影响。一、材料和方法1.血管平滑肌细胞培养 :无菌条件下取大鼠胸主动脉段 ,按Ｈｏｆｍａｎ的贴片法原代培养血管平滑肌细胞。本实验选用 5～ 10代细胞进行实验。2 .细胞总ＲＮＡ的提取 ,ＲＮＡ变性电泳 ,转膜 :采用异硫氰酸胍一步法…     

Apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells is induced by Fas ligand derived from endothelial cells.

Although Fas-mediated cell death may play a role in atherogenesis, causal data in support of this hypothesis are lacking. The present study investigated the possibility that endothelial cells are involved in vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) apoptosis via the Fas-FasL pathway, and hence in atherogenesis. FACS analysis detected FasL on the surface of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and immunofluorescence staining of the HUVECs demonstrated high levels of FasL in the intracellular compartment. FasL was down-regulated 4 h after tumor necrosis factor (TNFalpha) treatment, coinciding with maximal surface expression of the adhesion molecules vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and E-selectin. However, the down-regulation of FasL expression was transient, as surface expression returned within 24 h of TNFalpha treatment. When cocultured with VSMCs, the FasL-expressing EC could kill the VSMCs in a manner that could be blocked by recombinant Fas-Fc, deployed as a soluble receptor for Fas. Moreover, when human coronary arteries were studied with immunohistochemistry using G247-4 monoclonal antibody for the detection of FasL, few FasL positive EC were observed in diffuse intimal thickening. In contrast, endothelium overlying the plaque showed prominent and uniform expression of FasL. These findings suggest that the Fas/FasL pathway can be used by EC to induce VSMC apoptosis in the atherosclerotic lesion.     

脱氢表雄酮对氧化应激诱导的血管平滑肌细胞核转录因子表达的影响

目的观察脱氢表雄酮(DHEA)对血管平滑肌细胞(VSMC)氧化应激损伤中核转录因子(NF-κB)的表达干预作用。方法贴块法培养雄性SD大鼠胸主动脉血管平滑肌细胞,实验分四组A组(对照组)、B组(50μmol/LH2O2处理6h)、C组(50μmol/LH2O2 1nmol/LDHEA处理6h)和D组(50μmol/LH2O2 10nmol/LDHEA处理6h)。免疫细胞化学法分析核因子p65(NF-κBp65)核易位情况。结果B组VSMCNF-κBp65的核易位阳性率显著高于A组;而与B组相比,C组和D组VSMCNF-κBp65的核易位阳性率显著降低,其中D组降低更为明显。结论DHEA能显著抑制H2O2引起VSMCNF-κB的激活,这可能是DHEA延缓动脉粥样硬化形成的机制之一。     

Prostacyclin inhibits adhesion of polymorphonuclear leukocytes to human vascular endothelial cells due to adhesion molecule independent regulatory mechanisms

Prostacyclin is an important endothelial mediator involved in the interaction of neutrophils (PMN) with the vessel wall. Many studies have shown the beneficial effects of prostacyclin in ischemia and reperfusion. However, no previous study has investigated the direct effects of the prostacyclin analogs iloprost (ILO) and alprostadil (PGE(1)) on the endothelial part of the adhesion process. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were grown to confluence, stimulated with 300 U/ml TNF-alpha and treated with increasing concentrations of ILO and PGE(1). The cells were washed to remove TNF and the inhibitors and adhesion of fluorescence-green labeled PMN was determined microscopically. ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin expression were measured by a cell-surface ELISA. The chemoattractant activity of the endothelial cell releasate was tested in a Boyden chamber.ILO and PGE(1) reduced PMN-adhesion in a concentration-dependent manner (ILO: -54 +/- 9 % at 0.5 microM, PGE1: -46 +/- 10 % at 10 microM). However, the surface expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin remained unaltered. When the supernatant of iloprost/PGE(1)-treated cells was transferred onto cells that were activated, but not treated with ILO or PGE(1), the reduction of PMN adhesion remains sustained. These data indicate that the inhibitory effect of ILO/ PGE(1) treatment is achieved by a reduced chemoattractant potential. PAF-antagonists were able to block neutrophil adhesion and mimicked the effect of ILO, while exogenous PAF diminished the inhibitory effect of ILO concentration-dependently. This study demonstrates the beneficial effects of ILO and PGE(1) on inflammatorily activated endothelial cells. These prostacyclin analogs inhibit PMN-adhesion despite maximal adhesion molecule expression by regulating the balance of - yet to be determined - endothelial-derived mediators.     

黏着斑激酶对血小板源性生长因子刺激的血管平滑肌细胞迁移和黏附的调控

目的探讨黏着斑激酶(FAK)信号分子在雷帕霉素抑制血小板源性生长因子(PDGF)诱导血管平滑肌细胞(VSMC)迁移、黏附中的调控作用。方法将培养的大鼠VSMC分为对照组、PDGF组、雷帕霉素+PDGF组(雷帕霉素组)和FAK反义寡核苷酸+PDGF组(FAK组)。用PDGF诱导VSMC的迁移和黏附,计数贴壁细胞;采用Boyden检测细胞迁移;采用RT-PCR、Western blot、免疫沉淀方法分别检测FAK基因、蛋白及蛋白磷酸化表达量。将FAK反义寡核苷酸经脂质体转染VSMC,观察FAK mRNA及蛋白磷酸化、细胞迁移和黏附的变化。结果与对照组比较,PDGF组明显诱导细胞迁移和黏附,上调FAK mRNA的表达,提高FAK蛋白和磷酸化FAK表达,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),与PDGF组比较,FAK组和雷帕霉素组细胞迁移、黏附能力减弱,FAK mRNA、FAK蛋白和磷酸化FAK表达水平明显降低,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论 PDGF诱导细胞迁移和黏附可能是FAK介导的,雷帕霉素可能是通过抑制FAK蛋白和磷酸化FAK来抑制VSMC的迁移和黏附。     

匹伐他汀对血管平滑肌细胞金属基质蛋白酶9表达的影响

目的 观察金属基质蛋白酶9(MMP-9)在动脉粥样硬化组织中的分布及匹伐他汀对TNF-α刺激血管平滑肌细胞MMP-9 蛋白和mRNA 表达的影响.方法 病理标本取自外科择期手术病例,行常规病理和免疫组织化学检查;对照组动脉标本取自非正常死亡健康成人尸体及非血管病变切除标本;血管平滑肌细胞取自开放手术切除的主动脉中膜.实验为5 组,对照组和4 个实验组.实验各组平滑肌细胞在给予TNF-α刺激前预先加入不同浓度的匹伐他汀(分别为1 ng/ml、10 ng/ml、100 ng/ml、500 ng/ml),测定其MMP-9 蛋白和mRNA 表达.结果 免疫组化检测显示,实验组动脉硬化组织TNF-α和MMP-9 蛋白分布明显增加,主要集中在炎性细胞聚集处,与对照组比较差异有统计学意义;MMP-9 的分布与TNF-α明显相关.匹伐他汀呈浓度依赖方式抑制TNF-α诱导平滑肌细胞MMP-9 蛋白和mRNA 表达;MMP-9 蛋白表达分别减少10.5%、24.1%、46.0%和61.0%,mRNA 表达分别减少9%、21%、35%和46%,差异有统计学意义.结论 动脉硬化组织中MMP-9 分布与TNF-α明显相关,提示动脉粥样硬化组织中MMP-9 增加与其他细胞因子相互影响有关.预先给予匹伐他汀可以呈现浓度依赖方式显示抑制TNF-α诱导的血管平滑肌细胞MMP-9 蛋白和mRNA 表达,提示他汀类药物可以通过抑制MMP-9 表达,延缓、稳定动脉粥样硬化病变,早期干预效果更好.     

Estradiol inhibits hyaluronic acid synthase 1 expression in human vascular smooth muscle cells

Epidemiological and clinical data suggest that estrogen retards the progression of atherosclerosis. This study aims to elucidate whether the phenotypic regulation of human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) by estrogen may involve effects on the hyaluronan matrix. VSMC were synchronized by serum withdrawal and subsequently stimulated with 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 and 1 μM estradiol (E₂) in the presence or absence of platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB) for 24 h. E₂ reduced mRNA-expression of hyaluronic acid synthase (HAS) 1 in the presence and absence of PDGF-BB. In contrast, HAS2- and HAS3-mRNA-expression were not affected. This E₂-mediated effect on HAS1 mRNA-expression was accompanied by reduced hyaluronan secretion and a shift of HA toward lower molecular weight as evidenced by molecular sieve chromatography. The downregulation of HAS1 was abrogated by the estrogen receptor (ER) α and β antagonist ICI182780 and could be mimicked by the ERα-agonist propyl-pyrazole triol (PPT). On the contrary, the ERβ-agonist diarylpropionitrile (DPN) had no effect on HAS1 mRNA-expression. To investigate whether the downregulation of HAS1 was causally involved in the phenotypic regulation of human VSMC by E₂, lentiviral overexpression of HAS1 was conducted. Overexpression of HAS1 abrogated the inhibition of sustained ERK1/2 phosphorylation and in turn inhibition of DNA-synthesis by E₂. For the first time this study provides strong evidence that HAS1-driven HA-synthesis is a target of E₂ in human VSMC and that E₂ mediates part of its anti-proliferative effects through an ERα-dependent inhibition of HA-synthesis.     

Carbon monoxide inhibits apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle cells

OBJECTIVE: Carbon monoxide (CO) is generated from vascular smooth muscle cells via the degradation of heme by the enzyme heme oxygenase-1. Since smooth muscle cell apoptosis is associated with numerous vascular disorders, we investigated whether CO regulates apoptosis in vascular smooth muscle. METHODS AND RESULTS: Treatment of cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells with a combination of cytokines (interleukin-1beta, 5 ng/ml; tumor necrosis factor-alpha, 20 ng/ml; interferon-gamma, 200 U/ml) for 48 h stimulated apoptosis, as demonstrated by DNA laddering, annexin V binding, and caspase-3 activation. However, the exogenous administration of CO inhibited cytokine-mediated apoptosis. The antiapoptotic action of CO was partially dependent on the activation of soluble guanylate cyclase and was associated with the inhibition of mitochondrial cytochrome c release and with the suppression of p53 expression. Incubation of smooth muscle cells with the cytokines also resulted in a pronounced increase in heme oxygenase-1 protein after 24 h of stimulation. The addition of the heme oxygenase inhibitor, zinc protoporphyrin-IX, or the CO scavenger, hemoglobin, stimulated apoptosis following 24 h of cytokine exposure. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that CO, either administered exogenously or endogenously derived from heme oxygenase-1 activity, inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell apoptosis. The ability of CO to block smooth muscle cell apoptosis may play an important role in blocking lesion formation at sites of vascular injury.     

Induction of IG9 monocyte adhesion molecule expression in smooth muscle and endothelial cells after balloon arterial injury in cholesterol-fed rabbits

The expression of monocyte-specific adhesion molecules and chemokines by cell types within the vessel wall plays an important role in foam cell accumulation during atherosclerotic plaque development. We previously identified IG9, a novel monocyte adhesion protein that is expressed on endothelial cells (ECs) overlying human and rabbit advanced atherosclerotic plaques. The present study was designed to determine the temporal and spatial expression of IG9 and the chemokine, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), after balloon injury with (double injury) or without (single injury) prior air desiccation EC injury in the femoral arteries of rabbits fed a high-cholesterol diet. By immunohistochemical analyses, intense reactivity with monoclonal antibodies to IG9 and MCP-1 was detected 24 hours after single injury in medial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and in SMCs of adventitial microvessels. However, monocyte infiltration of the tunica media was minimal or not detected in these sections. IG9 and MCP-1 antibody reactivity in vessel sections 28 days after single injury and 24 hours, 7 days, and 28 days after double injury was localized to medial and neointimal SMCs, foam cells, and luminal ECs overlying the plaques. Uninjured rabbit (cholesterol or normal diet) vessel sections exhibited minimal IG9 and MCP-1 immunostaining. In vitro studies using human aortic SMCs demonstrated IG9 protein induction after 24 hours of treatment with platelet-derived growth factor-BB and interferon-gamma or epidermal growth factor. IG9 expression was further increased by pretreatment of SMCs with the proatherogenic lipid, minimally oxidized low density lipoprotein. After balloon injury (24 hours), IG9 is induced in vascular SMCs before the detectable accumulation of monocytes within the vessel wall. Thus, the expression of IG9 by SMCs as well as by ECs may be an important factor in the accumulation of foam cells in atherosclerotic plaque development after arterial injury.     

Cellular adhesion molecules on vascular smooth muscle cells.

Several studies during the last years have shown that, in addition to endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells also express the cellular adhesion molecules ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in atherosclerosis, restenosis and transplant vasculopathy. In vitro studies have characterized stimulatory and inhibitory factors that regulate the expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 on cultured smooth muscle cells. There is evidence for a role of adhesion molecules on smooth muscle cells for leukocyte accumulation and activation of mononuclear cells. Some recent data suggest that the expression of adhesion molecules on smooth muscle cells are cell cycle-dependent and influence smooth muscle cell proliferation and differentiation. Therefore, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 on smooth muscle cells may contribute to the inflammatory reaction in the vascular wall and may actively be involved in the progression and stability of atherosclerotic plaques.     

Low-density lipoprotein augments interleukin-1-induced vascular adhesion molecule expression in human endothelial cells.

In this study, the effect of low density lipoproteins (LDL) on the ability of the vascular endothelium to respond to vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) activation by a cytokine was investigated. After a 4-day pre-exposure to 240 mg/dl of LDL, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were hyperresponsive to minute amounts of interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) as demonstrated by an augmentation of VCAM-1 gene expression. Furthermore, in response to LDL exposure, endothelial recruitment of monocytes induced by minute amounts of IL-1 alpha was increased. This enhancing effect was blocked by an anti-VCAM antibody. The increased response appears not to be due to changes in IL-1 binding affinity or induction of endogenous IL-1 alpha. Transient transfection of HUVECs with a reporter driven by the VCAM promoter showed that LDL increased cellular response to IL-1 alpha by 46%. LDL itself does not increase NF-kappa B binding in endothelial cells (ECs). However, after a 2-day LDL incubation, NF-kappa B binding could be induced by over 63% with a very low dose of IL-1 alpha. IL-1 alpha at this dose (which activates NF-kappa B, but not AP-1) also enhanced LDL-activated AP-1 binding. This cross-enhanced effect may be an important intracellular signaling mechanism for EC activation. The results from this study provide new clues to understanding the mechanisms governing combined risk factors for atherosclerosis.     

Modulation by high glucose of adhesion molecule expression in cultured endothelial cells

Summary We evaluated the influence of high ambient glucose on cellular expression of adhesion molecules, known to mediate endothelial interaction of leucocytes and monocytes. Paired cultures of individual isolates of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were studied by fluorescence activated cell sorter analysis after exposure to 30 vs 5 mmol/l glucose. Incubation of HUVECs for 24 h in 30 mmol/l glucose increased ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule-1; 116.4±16.9% of control, p 0.05), but not PECAM (platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule) expression, compared to cultures kept in 5 mmol/l glucose. Long-term exposure (13±1 days) of HUVECs to 30 mmol/l glucose increased expression of ICAM-1 to 122.5±32.2% (p<0.002) and reduced that of PECAM to 86.9±21.3% vs the respective control culture in 5 mmol/l glucose (p<0.02). Stimulation of confluent HUVECs, kept in 30 vs 5 mmol/l glucose for 13±1 days, with 20 U/ ml interleukin-1 for 24 h (ICAM-1) and 4 h (endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule 1) resulted in reduced ICAM-1 (84.8±27.0%, p<0.05) and endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (87.6±22.4%, p<0.05) expression vs control cells, while that of PECAM (t: 24 h) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (t: 16 h) remained unchanged. In conclusion, it appears that differences in expression of adhesion molecules on HUVECs in response to high glucose reflects endothelial glucose toxicity, which may also induce endothelial dysfunction in diabetes.Abbreviations HUVECs Human umbilical vein endothelial cells - ICAM-1 intercellular adhesion molecule-1 - PECAM platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule - ELAM-1 endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 - VCAM-1 vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 - IL-1 interleukin-1 - FACS fluorescence activated cell sorter - FCS fetal calf serum - PBS phosphate buffered saline     

Lysophosphatidylcholine inhibits the expression of prostacyclin stimulating factor in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells

We have cloned a prostacyclin (PGI2) stimulating factor (PSF), which stimulates PGI2 production by vascular endothelial cells. Previous study demonstrated the reduced PSF expression in the coronary arteries from the patients with ischemic heart disease. To clarify the mechanism of reduced PSF expression in atherosclerosis, we examined the effect of lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC), a main component of oxidized low density lipoprotein (LDL), on PSF expression in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells. LysoPC reduced PSF expression dose-dependently. Whereas neither phosphatidylcholine nor native LDL affects the PSF expression. Calphostin C, a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, restored the reduction of PSF expression by lysoPC. These results suggest that lysoPC-induced reduction of PSF expression is mediated by PKC activation and is playing a role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerotic lesions.