Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) states are associated with endothelial dysfunction (ED) and increased production of ROS in endothelial cells. The present study aimed to explore the protective effects of antioxidant protein peroxiredoxin 6 (PRDX6) on angiotensin II (AngII)‑induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) dysfunction. To investigate cell viability, levels of inflammatory molecules and proteins were assayed using the CCK-8 assay and evaluated by ELISA and Western blot. NO and ROS levels were determined by Griess assay and the fluorescent probe DCFH-DA. Cell migration capacity was assessed by Transwell assay. AngII decreased cell viability and PRDX6, upregulated the expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, LDH and MDA, stimulated ROS production, and reduced NO synthase, the expressions of eNOS, MnSOD, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and activated the MAPK family of signaling proteins. However, the stimulatory effects of AngII on HUVECs were remarkably suppressed by PRDX6. Furthermore, mercaptosuccinate (MS; PRDX6 inhibitor) had similar effects as AngII in aggravating HUVECs damage. Conversely, these adverse events caused by AngII and MS were obviously reversed by ML3404 and SP600125. The present study indicated that PRDX6 overexpression inactivated p38 MAPK and JNK pathway through decrease AngII-induced inflammation, oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction leading to attenuation of endothelial cell damage.