OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhibitory effects of triptolide on the migration, gene and protein expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) of endothelial cells (ECs) cultured in vitro and to elucidate the anti-angiogenic mechanism of triptolide. METHODS: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured in vitro and the passage 3 cells were treated with triptolide (0, 5, 10, 20, 30 microg/L). Three-dimensional culture system was used to assess the effect of triptolide on the migration of HUVECs. Real time quantitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical assay were applied to detect gene and protein expression of u-PA. RESULTS: Triptolide decreased the migration activity and suppressed the expression of u-PA of HUVECs at the gene and protein level. CONCLUSION: Triptolide could inhibit the migration of ECs by reducing the gene and protein expression of u-PA. These may contribute to an elucidation of the mechanism by which triptolide inhibits the angiogenesis.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhibitory effects of triptolide on the migration, gene and protein expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (u-PA) of endothelial cells (ECs) cultured in vitro and to elucidate the anti-angiogenic mechanism of triptolide. METHODS:Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured in vitro and the passage 3 cells were treated with triptolide (0, 5, 10, 20, 30 microg/L). Three-dimensional culture system was used to assess the effect of triptolide on the migration of HUVECs. Real time quantitive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical assay were applied to detect gene and protein expression of u-PA. RESULTS:Triptolide decreased the migration activity and suppressed the expression of u-PA of HUVECs at the gene and protein level. CONCLUSION:Triptolide could inhibit the migration of ECs by reducing the gene and protein expression of u-PA. These may contribute to an elucidation of the mechanism by which triptolide inhibits the angiogenesis.