[Homocysteine-induced apoptosis of endothelial cell and its antagonism by folic acid--the roles of caspase3, c-IAP1 and c-IAP2].

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Wang Y, Zhou Q, Wang S, Zhang J

[Homocysteine-induced apoptosis of endothelial cell and its antagonism by folic acid--the roles of caspase3, c-IAP1 and c-IAP2].

Wei Sheng Yan Jiu. 2004 May;33(3):310-3.

PubMed ID

15211800 [ View in PubMed

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The present study addresses the question how Hcy induces endothelial apoptosis and how folic acid antagonizes the proapoptotic effects of Hcy. METHODS: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were treated with Hcy, with or without folic acid, for 24 hours. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by Annexin V staining and flow cytometery, as well as agarose gel analysis for genomic DNA ladder. The mRNA and protein levels of caspase3, c-IAP1, and c-IAP2 were analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: Treatment with both low (0.3 mmol/L) and high (3.0 mmol/L) concentrations of Hcy induced HUVEC apoptosis, with higher apoptotic rate at the latter case. Hcy-induced HUVEC apoptosis was accompanied by an increased level of caspase3 expression and activation, together with decreased c-IAP2 level. Folic acid upregulated c-IAP2 expression while attenuating Hcy-induced apoptosis and caspase3 activation. CONCLUSION: Hcy may induce HUVEC apoptosis via a pathway involving caspase3, which can be partially antagonized by folic acid, possibly through upregulated c-IAP2 expression.