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Human vascular endothelial cells produce TNF-α after stimulation with proinflammatory cytokines

Vascular endothelial cells are one of the main targets of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) action. We studied whether these cells are capable of producing TNF-α after stimulation with proinflammatory cytokines and bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were incubated with interferon-γ (IFNγ) interlukin β (IL-β), and LPS, or their different combinations for 2–48 h. TNF-α was measured by time-resolved immunofluorometric assay. Unstimulatcd HUVECs did not produce detectable amounts of TNF-α but IFNγ IL-β and LPS in combination included TNF-α production in a time-dependent manner. Immunofluorescent staining confirmed that the TNF-α was synthesized by endothelial cells. IFNγ IL-β or LPS alone did not induce TNF-α production, whereas IFNγ and IL-β LPS in combination induced TNF-α production, which was further increased with LPS. TNF-α messenger-RNA expression was detected with RT-PCR in stimulated, but not in unstimulated HUVECs.

Human vascular endothelial cells are capable of producting TNF-α after proinflammatory cytokine stimulation, and may therefore contribute to the increased amount of TNF-α found in states like cachexia and septic shock.

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Ranta, V., Orpana, A., Carpén, O. et al. Human vascular endothelial cells produce TNF-α after stimulation with proinflammatory cytokines. Crit Care 3 (Suppl 1), P078 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1186/cc453

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/cc453

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