Inhibition of mycophenolic acid on NF-kappaB activity in human endothelial cells.

AIM: To examine the effect of mycophenolic acid (MPA) on the activity of nuclear
factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and its inhibitor (IkappaBalpha) in
4-phorbal-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) stimulated and non-stimulated human
umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC).
METHODS: MPA at various concentrations were applied to cultured HUVEC,
pre-incubated or not pre-incubated with PMA (100 microg/L for 30 min). The
activity of NF-kappaB in endothelial cells was measured with electrophoretic
mobility shift assays (EMSA), and IkappaBalpha protein levels were detected by
Western blot method.
RESULTS: Incubation with PMA was found to result in rapid increment of NF-kappaB
activity in cultured HUVEC. MPA treatment decreased the activities of NF-kappaB,
both in PMA treatment and un-treatment HUVEC. Protein level of IkappaBalpha was
decreased in PMA-treatment HUVEC. MPA treatment increased IkappaBalpha protein
levels in both PMA-treatment and un-treatment HUVEC.
CONCLUSION: MPA is a potent inhibitor of NF-kappaB activation in endothelial
cells, which might explain its beneficial effect in endothelial cells.