Minimally modified low-density lipoprotein up-regulates endothelin receptors in mouse mesenteric artery through p38 MAPK pathway

AIMTo investigate whether minimally modified low-density lipoprotein (mmLDL) affects the quantity and activity of endothelin （ET） type A (ET_A) and type B (ET_B) receptors in mouse mesenteric artery by activating p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inflammatory pathway. METHODSThe KM mice were divided into normal saline (NS) group (injection of NS via caudal vein), mmLDL group (injection of mmLDL via caudal vein), LDL group (injection of LDL via caudal vein), mmLDL+SB 203580 group (injection of mmLDL via caudal vein and intraperitoneal injection of p38 MAPK pathway specific inhibitor SB 203580) and mmLDL+DMSO group (injection of mmLDL via caudal vein and intraperitoneal injection of DMSO). Mesenteric artery ring segment vasoconstriction dose-response curves affected by sarafotoxin 6c (S6c) and ET-1 were recorded by the myography system. The mRNA levels of ET_B receptor, ET_A receptor and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected by RT-qPCR. The protein levels of ET_B receptor, ET_A receptor, IL-6, p38 MAPK, p-p38 MAPK, NF-κB and p-NF-κB were determined by Western blot. The serum concentration of IL-6 was measured by ELISA. RESULTSThe contractile responses of the blood vessel segments to S6c and ET-1 were significantly increased by mmLDL (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression levels of ET_A receptor, ET_B receptor, and IL-6 significantly increased (P<0.01). The protein levels of p-p38 MAPK and p-NF-κB were significantly increased (P<0.01). The serum level of IL-6 was significantly increased (P<0.01). These effects of mmLDL were inhibited by p38 MAPK inhibitor SB 203580. CONCLUSION mmLDL increses the serum concentration of IL-6, up-regulates the expression of IL-6, ET_A receptor and ET_B receptor in mouse mesenteric artery, and enhances the vasoconstriction function medi?ated by ET_A and ET_B receptors, which is related to the activation of p38 MAPK inflammatory pathway and downstream NF-κB pathway.