Regulation Of Proinflammatory Factor Expression And Adhesive Action Of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell Line ECV304 By α-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone

α-Menalocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is a tridecapeptide derived from the precursor molecule pro-opiomelanocortin. It plays a critical role in the regulation of immune and inflammatory reactions. In this study, human umbilical vein endothelial cell line (ECV304) was employed as research object. The effects of a-MSH on thepro-inflammatory factor expression and adhesive action of ECV304 cells were investigated. The actions and mechanisms of anti-inflammation and immunoregulation of α-MSH were discussed at the aspect of vascular endothelial cells (VECs). After treated by a-MSH, the production of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), intracellular adhesive molecule-1 (ICAM-1), tissue factor (TF) and osteopontin (OPN) was down-regulated in ECV304 cells, but the release of interleukin-8 was up-regulated. When ECV304 cells stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or TNF-a, mRNA of TF and OPN were enhanced, but a-MSH prohibited this up-regulation. a-MSH also reduced the increase of U937 cell adhesion to ECV304 cells treated by LPS or TNF-a. These results provide a new experimental evidence for clarifying the actions and mechanisms of anti-inflammation and immunoregulation of α-MSH.