Effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 gene transfection on the expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in human endothelial cells

AIM: To implore the effects of recombinant angiotensin- converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) gene transfection on the expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) induced by angiotensin (Ang) II in cultured human endothelial cells. METHODS: A recombinant plasmid encompassing human ACE2 gene (pACE2) was constructed and transfected into human endothelial cells. Endothelial cells were stimulated with Ang II or Ang IV in the presence and absence of pACE2 gene transfer. The mRNA and protein levels of MIF in endothelial cells were determined by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS: The mRNA and protein expressions of MIF were strikingly enhanced after exposures of endothelial cells to 100 nmol/L Ang Ⅱ and 100 nmol/L Ang Ⅳ (P<0.01, respectively). However, significant downregulations of MIF mRNA and protein expression were observed in endothelial cells pretreated with pACE2 gene transfer (P<0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: ACE2 gene overexpression contributes to diminishments of inflammation mediator MIF expression in endothelial cells, suggesting that ACE2 gene has anti-inflammatory properties to some extent and may provide novel therapeutic strategies for the inflammation-related diseases such as atherosclerosis.