Inhibition of the NF-κB pathway by R65 ribozyme gene via adeno-associated virus serotype 9 ameliorated oxidized LDL induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell injury.

OBJECTIVE: NF-κB signaling plays a central role in the regulation of inflammatory responses in atherosclerosis. R65 ribozyme gene suppresses activation of NF-κB pathway, therefore we studied whether R65 gene therapy can ameliorate oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) injury. METHODS AND
RESULTS: Recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (rAVV9) vector was used to transfect the R65 ribozyme gene (rAVV9-R65) into HUVECs then following ox-LDL stimulation, expression of NF-κB p65 and p50 subunits, inflammatory mediators and cell apoptosis were examined. First, rAVV9-enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP)-R65 at 1×10(7) v.g./cell multiplicity of infection reached a long-lasting and significant increase in R65 gene expression. Second, ox-LDL treatment led to time- and dose-dependent activation of NF-κB pathway, and enhanced inflammatory response and cell death evidenced by increased expression of nuclear NF-κB p65 and p50 subunits, greater production of tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin-6 and von willebrand factor and 20.57% increased apoptotic HUVECs. Third, over-expression of R65 gene was 2-fold increased in HUVECs attenuated ox-LDL induced unclear accumulation and expression of p65 subunit and ameliorated inflammation and cell death (all P < 0.05).
CONCLUSION: rAAV9-mediated R65 ribozyme gene transfection in cultured HUVECs effectively inhibits ox-LDL induced activation of NF-κB and production of inflammatory cytokines and prevents cell apoptosis.