Abstract: Objective To investigate the regulation of TLR4 and inflammatory cytokines by oleic acid in human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (HA-VSMC). Methods MMT methods were used to analyze the proliferation ability of human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells. TLR4, IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1mRNA expressions were detected by quantitative real-time PCR. TLR4, IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1 protein levels were measured by western blot and ELISA. Results Oleic acid induced the proliferation ability of HA-VSMC, but the proliferation ability of cells were inhibited with the rising of dose. Oleic acid upregulated the expression of TLR4, IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1 mRNA by 6.51 fold,7.57 fold,7.62 fold and 7.21 fold, and the levels of IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1 proteins were significantly enhanced by 2.06 fold,1.97 fold and 1.96 fold (all P<0.01). The levels of TLR4 protein (1.70±0.62) were markedly augmented by 200μmol/L oleic acid than that of control(0.29±0.22). LPS markedly increased TLR4, IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1 expression in HA-VSMC (P<0.01). Conclusion Oleic acid induced the expression of TLR4 and inflammatory cytokines mRNA and proteins in HA-VSMC.

Key words: 【key words】 human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (HA-VSMC), oleic acid, Toll like receptor 4, cytokine, gene expression