Propofol protects against angiotensin II-induced mouse hippocampal HT22 cells apoptosis via inhibition of p66Shc mitochondrial translocation

The molecular mechanisms of peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase Pin1 and its relevance to kidney disease

Pin1 is a member of the peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase subfamily and is widely expressed in various cell types and tissues. Alterations in Pin1 expression levels play pivotal roles in both physiological processes and multiple pathological conditions, especially in the onset and progression of kidney diseases. Herein, we present an overview of the role of Pin1 in the regulation of fibrosis, oxidative stress, and autophagy. It plays a significant role in various kidney diseases including Renal I/R injury, chronic kidney disease with secondary hyperparathyroidism, diabetic nephropathy, renal fibrosis, and renal cell carcinoma. The representative therapeutic agent Juglone has emerged as a potential treatment for inhibiting Pin1 activity and mitigating kidney disease. Understanding the role of Pin1 in kidney diseases is expected to provide new insights into innovative therapeutic interventions and strategies. Consequently, this review delves into the molecular mechanisms of Pin1 and its relevance in kidney disease, paving the way for novel therapeutic approaches.

Quantitative proteomic analysis reveals the effects of mu opioid agonists on HT22 cells

Introduction: At present, the mu opioid receptor is the most important neuroaesthetics receptor in anesthesiology research, and the damage that it does to the nervous system is unknown. Methods: We investigated the effects of loperamide, an agonist of the mu opioid receptor, on protein expression in HT22 cells using stable isotope labeling of amino acids in cell culture (SILAC), immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) enrichment, and high-resolution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A total of 7,823 proteins were identified. Results and Discussion: Bioinformatic analysis revealed that mu opioid receptor agonism can induce distinct changes in the proteome of HT22 cells. These findings improve our understanding of narcotic drugs.

Exendin-4 inhibits high glucose-induced oxidative stress in retinal pigment epithelial cells by modulating the expression and activation of p66Shc

PURPOSE

Activation of p⁶⁶Sch, an adaptor protein, is associated with oxidative stress and apoptosis and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetes-induced retinal pigment epithelial cell damage and diabetic retinopathy. Exendin-4 is a glucagon-like protein that protects against diabetic retinopathy, but the mechanism of action is not well understood. This study aimed to investigate whether Exendin-4 could protect against high glucose-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in the adult human retinal pigment epithelial-19 cell line by modulating levels and activation of p⁶⁶Shc and to study the underlying mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Adult human retinal pigment epithelial-19 cells were cultured under low (5 µM) or high glucose (100 µM) conditions in the presence or absence of Exendin-4 and with or without pre-incubation with Exendin-9-39, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor antagonist.

RESULTS

In a dose-dependent manner, Exendin-4 inhibited high glucose-induced cell death and decreased levels of reactive oxygen species, lactate dehydrogenase release, and single single-stranded DNA. At the most effective concentration (100 µM), Exendin-4 reduced mitochondrial levels of phospho-p⁶⁶Shc (Ser³⁶), cytoplasmic levels of cleaved caspase-3 and cytochrome-c, and NADPH oxidase levels in high glucose-treated cells. It also increased levels of glutathione and magnesium superoxide dismutase and protein levels of magnesium superoxide dismutase but downregulated total protein levels of protein kinase-β and p⁶⁶Shc and inhibited c-Jun N-terminal kinase phosphorylation in both low- and high glucose-treated cells. All these Exendin-4 effects, however, were inhibited by Exendin-9-39.

CONCLUSIONS

Exendin-4 protects against high glucose-induced adult human retinal pigment epithelial-19 cell damage by increasing antioxidants, downregulating NADPH, and inhibiting mitochondria-mediated apoptosis, effects that are associated with the inhibition of c-Jun N-terminal kinase and downregulation of protein kinase-β and p⁶⁶Shc.

Cadmium Chloride Induces Memory Deficits and Hippocampal Damage by Activating the JNK/p66Shc/NADPH Oxidase Axis

This study investigated whether the mechanism underlying the neurotoxic effects of cadmium chloride (CdCl₂) in rats involves p⁶⁶Shc. This study comprised an initial in vivo experiment followed by an in vitro experiment. For the in vivo experiment, male rats were orally administered saline (vehicle) or CdCl₂ (0.05 mg/kg) for 30 days. Thereafter, spatial and retention memory of rats were tested and their hippocampi were used for biochemical and molecular analyses. For the in vitro experiment, control or p⁶⁶Shc-deficient hippocampal cells were treated with CdCl₂ (25 µM) in the presence or absence of SP600125, a c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor. Cadmium chloride impaired the spatial learning and retention memory of rats; depleted levels of glutathione and manganese superoxide dismutase; increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), tumor necrosis factor α, and interleukin 6; and induced nuclear factor kappa B activation. Cadmium chloride also decreased the number of pyramidal cells in the CA1 region and induced severe damage to the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum of cells in the hippocampi of rats. Moreover, CdCl₂ increased the total unphosphorylated p66Shc, phosphorylated (Ser³⁶) p⁶⁶Shc, phosphorylated JNK, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, cytochrome c, and cleaved caspase-3. A dose-response increase in cell death, ROS, DNA damage, p⁶⁶Shc, and NADPH oxidase was also observed in cultured hippocampal cells treated with CdCl₂. Of note, all of these biochemical changes were attenuated by silencing p⁶⁶Shc or inhibiting JNK with SP600125. In conclusion, CdCl₂ induces hippocampal ROS generation and apoptosis by promoting the JNK-mediated activation of p⁶⁶Shc.

Exendin-4 protects the hearts of rats from ischaemia/reperfusion injury by boosting antioxidant levels and inhibition of JNK/p66 Shc/NADPH axis

Exendin-4, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist, was shown to protect against cardiac ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury by suppressing oxidative stress. p⁶⁶ Shc, a pro-oxidant and an apoptotic protein, is activated in the infarcted left ventricles (LVs) after induction of I/R. This study investigated if the cardiac protective effect of Exendin-4 against I/R injury in rats involves inhibition of p⁶⁶ Shc and to determine the underlying mechanisms behind this. Adult male rats (n = 12/group) were divided into four groups as a sham, a sham + Exendin-4, an I/R, and an I/R + Exendin-4. Exendin-4 was administered to rats 7 days before the induction of I/R. Ischaemia was induced by ligating the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery for 40 minutes followed by reperfusion for 10 minutes. The infarct myocardium was used for further analysis. Exendin-4 significantly reduced infarct area (by 62%), preserved LV function and lowered serum levels of LDH and CK-MB in I/R-induced rats. Also, it significantly reduced LV levels of ROS and MDA and protein levels of cytochrome-c and cleaved caspase-3 but significantly increased levels of glutathione (GSH) and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) in LVs of I/R rats indicating antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects. Furthermore, it inhibited JNK and p⁶⁶ Shc activation and downregulated protein levels of p⁶⁶ Shc and NADPH oxidase with no effect on protein levels/activity of p53 and PKCβII. Of note, Exendin-4 also increased GSH and MnSOD in LVs of control rats. In conclusion, Exendin-4 cardioprotective effect in I/R hearts is mediated mainly by antioxidant effect and inhibition of JNK/P⁶⁶ Shc/NADPH oxidase.

Resolvin D1 Prevents the Impairment in the Retention Memory and Hippocampal Damage in Rats Fed a Corn Oil-Based High Fat Diet by Upregulation of Nrf2 and Downregulation and Inactivation of p66Shc

This study investigated the effect of a high-fat diet rich in corn oil (CO-HFD) on the memory retention and hippocampal oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in rats, and examined if the underlying mechanisms involve modulating Resolvin D1 (RvD1) levels and activation of p⁶⁶Shc. Also, we tested if co-administration of RvD1 could prevent these neural adverse effects induced by CO-HFD. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 18/each) as control fed standard diet (STD) (3.82 kcal/g), STD + RvD1 (0.2 µg/Kg, i.p/twice/week), CO-HFD (5.4 kcal/g), and CO-HFD + RvD1. All treatments were conducted for 8 weeks. With normal fasting glucose levels, CO-HFD induced hyperlipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, increased HOMA-IRI and reduced the rats' memory retention. In parallel, CO-HFD increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), cytoplasmic cytochrome-c, and cleaved caspase-3 and significantly decreased levels of glutathione (GSH), Bcl-2, and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) in rats' hippocampi. Besides, CO-HFD significantly reduced hippocampal levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and RvD1, as well as total protein levels of Nrf2 and significantly increased nuclear protein levels of p-NF-κB. Concomitantly, CO-HFD increased hippocampal protein levels of p-JNK, p53, p⁶⁶Shc, p-p⁶⁶Shc, and NADPH oxidase. However, without altering plasma and serum levels of glucose, insulin, and lipids, co-administration of RvD1 to CO-HFD completely reversed all these events. It also resulted in similar effects in the STD fed-rats. In conclusion, CO-HFD impairs memory function and induces hippocampal damage by reducing levels of RvD1 and activation of JNK/p53/p⁶⁶Shc/NADPH oxidase, effects that are prevented by co-administration of RvD1.

Ketamine attenuates high-glucose-mediated endothelial inflammation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Hyperglycemia mediates oxidative stress, thus inducing transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation, increasing endothelial adhesion molecule expression and monocyte/endothelial interaction, and resulting in endothelial injury. Ketamine was reported to attenuate oxidative stress in many cases. In this research, we determined whether and how ketamine protects against high-glucose-mediated augmentation of monocyte/endothelial interaction and endothelial adhesion molecule expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. High glucose augmented monocyte/endothelial adhesion and endothelial adhesion molecule expression. High glucose induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and augmented phospho-protein kinase C (p-PKC) βII expression and PKC activity. Moreover, high glucose inhibited the inhibitory subunit of nuclear factor-κBα (IκBα) expression in the cytoplasm and induced NF-κB nuclear translocation. Importantly, the effects induced by high glucose were counteracted by ketamine treatment. Further, CGP53353, a PKC βII inhibitor, inhibited high-glucose-mediated NF-κB nuclear translocation, attenuated adhesion molecule expression, and reduced monocyte/endothelial interaction. Further, these effects of ketamine against high-glucose-induced endothelial injury were inhibited by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, a PKC βII activator. In conclusion, ketamine, via reducing ROS accumulation, inhibited PKC βII Ser660 phosphorylation and PKC and NF-κB activation and reduced high-glucose-induced expression of endothelial adhesion molecules and monocyte/endothelial interaction.

Targeting of miR-96-5p by catalpol ameliorates oxidative stress and hepatic steatosis in LDLr-/- mice via p66shc/cytochrome C cascade

Hepatic steatosis and oxidative stress are considered to be the sequential steps in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We previously found that catalpol, an iridoid glucoside extracted from the root of Romania glutinosa L, protected against diabetes-induced hepatic oxidative stress. Here, we found that the increased expression of p66shc was observed in NAFLD models and catalpol could inhibit p66shc expression to ameliorate NAFLD effectively. However, the underlying mechanisms remained unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the p66shc-targeting miRNAs in regulating oxidative stress and hepatic steatosis, also the mechanisms of catalpol inhibiting NAFLD. We found that the effects of catalpol inhibiting hepatic oxidative stress and steasis are dependent on inhibiting P66Shc expression. In addition, miR-96-5p was able to suppress p66shc/cytochrome C cascade via targeting p66shc mRNA 3’UTR, and catalpol could lead to suppression of NAFLD via upregulating miR-96-5p level. Thus, catalpol was effective in ameliorating NAFLD, and miR-96-5p/p66shc/cytochrome C cascade might be a potential target.

Isosteviol Protects Free Fatty Acid- and High Fat Diet-Induced Hepatic Injury via Modulating PKC-β/p66Shc/ROS and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Pathways

Aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver diseases. However, there are no approved pharmacotherapies for the treatment of NAFLD other than managing life style and controlling diets. Extensive studies have demonstrated that multiple mechanisms are involved in free fatty acid (FFA)- and high fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic injury, including mitochondrial dysfunction, activation of oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and lysosome dysfunction. A previous study reported that Isosteviol (ISV), a derivative of stevioside, prevents HFD-induced hepatic injury. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Results: In this study, we examined the potential cellular/molecular mechanisms underlying ISV-mediated protective effect against FFA-/HFD-induced hepatic lipotoxicity by using both in vitro primary rat hepatocytes and the in vivo rat NAFLD model. The results indicated that ISV inhibits FFA-/HFD-induced hepatic injury via reducing oxidative and ER stress. Specifically, ISV inhibited the expression, activation, and mitochondrial translocation of Src-homology-2-domain-containing transforming protein 1 (p66Shc), an adapter protein that mediates oxidative stress-induced injury and is a substrate of protein kinase C-β (PKC-β), via inhibition of PKC-β activity. However, ISV had no effect on the expression and activity of peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase and serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A, isomerase and phosphorylase of p66Shc. In addition, ISV also inhibited FFA-induced ER stress and decreased ER-mitochondrial interaction. Innovation and Conclusion: We first identified that ISV prevents FFA-/HFD-induced hepatic injury through modulating PKC-β/p66Shc/oxidative and ER stress pathways. ISV represents a promising therapeutic agent for NAFLD in the future. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 30, 1949-1968.

P66shc and its role in ischemic cardiovascular diseases

Oxidative stress caused by an imbalance in the formation and removal of reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays an important role in the development of several cardiovascular diseases. ROS originate from various cellular origins; however, the highest amount of ROS is produced by mitochondria. One of the proteins contributing to mitochondrial ROS formation is the adaptor protein p66shc, which upon cellular stresses translocates from the cytosol to the mitochondria. In the present review, we focus on the role of p66shc in longevity, in the development of cardiovascular diseases including diabetes, atherosclerosis and its risk factors, myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury and the protection from it by ischemic preconditioning. Also, the contribution of p66shc towards cerebral pathologies and the potential of the protein as a therapeutic target for the treatment of the aforementioned diseases are discussed.

New aspects of p66Shc in ischaemia reperfusion injury and other cardiovascular diseases

Although reactive oxygen species (ROS) act as crucial factors in the onset and progression of a wide array of diseases, they are also involved in numerous signalling pathways related to cell metabolism, growth and survival. ROS are produced at various cellular sites, and it is generally agreed that mitochondria generate the largest amount, especially those in cardiomyocytes. However, the identification of the most relevant sites within mitochondria, the interaction among the various sources, and the events responsible for the increase in ROS formation under pathological conditions are still highly debated, and far from being clarified. Here, we review the information linking the adaptor protein p66Shc with cardiac injury induced by ischaemia and reperfusion (I/R), including the contribution of risk factors, such as metabolic syndrome and ageing. In response to several stimuli, p66Shc migrates into mitochondria where it catalyses electron transfer from cytochrome c to oxygen resulting in hydrogen peroxide formation. Deletion of p66Shc has been shown to reduce I/R injury as well as vascular abnormalities associated with diabetes and ageing. However, p66Shc-induced ROS formation is also involved in insulin signalling and might contribute to self-endogenous defenses against mild I/R injury. In addition to its role in physiological and pathological conditions, we discuss compounds and conditions that can modulate the expression and activity of p66Shc.

LINKED ARTICLES

This article is part of a themed section on Redox Biology and Oxidative Stress in Health and Disease. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.12/issuetoc.

Quantitative analyses of the global proteome and phosphoproteome reveal the different impacts of propofol and dexmedetomidine on HT22 cells

Propofol and dexmedetomidine are both commonly used anaesthetics. Although they employ two different mechanisms to induce anaesthesia, both compounds influence the hippocampus and the HT22 cell line. HT22 cells are broadly used in neurobiological research. In this study, we assessed the effects of propofol and dexmedetomidine on signalling in HT22 cells. Using the SILAC (stable isotope labelling with amino acids in cell culture) labelling technique, IMAC (immobilized metal affinity chromatography) enrichment and high-resolution LC-MS/MS (liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry) analysis, we investigated the quantitative proteome and phosphoproteome in HT22 cells treated with propofol or dexmedetomidine. In total, 4,527 proteins and 6,824 phosphosites were quantified in cells treated with these two anaesthetics. With the assistance of intensive bioinformatics, the propofol and dexmedetomidine treatments were shown to induce distinct proteome and phosphoproteome profiles in HT22 cells. Consistent with our bioinformatics analysis, dexmedetomidine had a smaller effect than propofol on cell survival. These findings deepen our understanding of drug-induced anaesthesia.

The protective effects of propofol against CoCl2-induced HT22 cell hypoxia injury via PP2A/CAMKIIα/nNOS pathway

Background

Perioperative cerebral ischemia/hypoxia could induce hippocampal injury and has been reported to induce cognitive impairment. In this study, we used cobalt chloride (CoCl₂) to build a hypoxia model in mouse hippocampal cell lines. Propofol, a widely used intravenous anesthetic agent, has been demonstrated to have neuroprotective effect. Here, we explored whether and how propofol attenuated CoCl₂-induced mouse hippocampal HT22 cell injury.

Methods

Mouse hippocampal HT22 cells were pretreated with propofol, and then stimulated with CoCl₂. Cell viability was measured by cell counting kit 8 (CCK8). The effect of propofol on CoCl₂-modulated expressions of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), BAX, cleaved caspase 3, phosphatase A2 (PP2A), and the phosphorylation of Ca²⁺/Calmodulin (CaM)-dependent protein kinase II (pCAMKIIα), neuron nitric oxide synthase at Ser¹⁴¹² (pnNOS-Ser¹⁴¹²), neuron nitric oxide synthase at Ser⁸⁴⁷ (pnNOS-Ser⁸⁴⁷) were detected by Western blot analysis.

Results

Compared with control, CoCl₂ treatment could significantly decrease cell viability, which could be reversed by propofol. Further, we found CoCl₂ treatment could up-regulate the expression of PP2A, BAX, cleaved caspase three and cause the phosphorylation of nNOS-Ser¹⁴¹², but it down-regulated the expression of Bcl-2 and the phosphorylation of CAMKIIα and nNOS-Ser⁸⁴⁷. More importantly, these CoCl₂-mediated effects were attentuated by propofol. In addition, we demonstrated that propofol could exert similar effect to that of the PP2A inhibitor (okadaic acid). Further, the PP2A activator (FTY720) and the CAMKIIα inhibitor (KN93) could reverse the neuroprotective effect of propofol.

Conclusion

Our data indicated that propofol could attenuate CoCl₂-induced HT22 cells hypoxia injury via PP2A/CAMKIIα/nNOS pathway.

Propofol inhibits high glucose-induced PP2A expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Perioperative hyperglycemia is a common clinical metabolic disorder. Hyperglycemia could induce endothelial apoptosis, dysfunction and inflammation, resulting in endothelial injury. Propofol is a widely used anesthetic drug in clinical settings. Our previous studies indicated that propofol, via inhibiting high glucose-induced phosphatase A2 (PP2A) expression, attenuated high glucose-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, thus improving endothelial apoptosis, dysfunction and inflammation. However, the mechanisms by which propofol attenuated high glucose-induced PP2A expression is still obscure. In the present study, we examined how propofol attenuates high glucose-induced endothelial PP2A expression. Compared with 5mM glucose treatment, 15mM glucose up-regulated expression and activity of PP2A, increased cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), Ca²⁺-calmodulin dependent kinase II (CaMK II) phosphorylation and Ca²⁺ accumulation. More importantly, propofol decreased PP2A expression and activity, attenuated CREB, CaMK II phosphorylation and Ca²⁺ accumulation in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, we demonstrated that the effect of propofol was similar to that of MK801, an inhibitor of NMDA receptor. In contrast, rapastinel, an activator of NMDA receptor, antagonized the effect of propofol. Also, the effect of KN93, an inhibitor of CaMK II, was similar to that of propofol, except KN93 had no effect on 15mM glucose-mediated Ca²⁺ accumulation. Our data indicated that propofol, via inhibiting NMDA receptor, attenuated 15mM glucose-induced Ca²⁺ accumulation, CaMK II and CREB phosphorylation, thus inhibiting PP2A expression and improving 15mM glucose-induced endothelial dysfunction and inflammation.

Flow signaling and atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis rarely develops in the region of arteries exposed to undisturbed flow (u-flow, unidirectional flow). Instead, atherogenesis occurs in the area exposed to disturbed flow (d-flow, multidirectional flow). Based on these general pathohistological observations, u-flow is considered to be athero-protective, while d-flow is atherogenic. The fact that u-flow and d-flow induce such clearly different biological responses in the wall of large arteries indicates that these two types of flow activate each distinct intracellular signaling cascade in vascular endothelial cells (ECs), which are directly exposed to blood flow. The ability of ECs to differentially respond to the two types of flow provides an opportunity to identify molecular events that lead to endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. In this review, we will focus on various molecular events, which are differentially regulated by these two flow types. We will discuss how various kinases, ER stress, inflammasome, SUMOylation, and DNA methylation play roles in the differential flow response, endothelial dysfunction, and atherosclerosis. We will also discuss the interplay among the molecular events and how they coordinately regulate flow-dependent signaling and cellular responses. It is hoped that clear understanding of the way how the two flow types beget each unique phenotype in ECs will lead us to possible points of intervention against endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular diseases.

Propofol enhances the cisplatin-induced apoptosis on cervical cancer cells via EGFR/JAK2/STAT3 pathway

OBJECTIVE

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate propofol and its combined effect with cisplatin on apoptosis of cervical cancer cells and molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon.

METHODS

The effects of propofol and cisplatin on cell viability and apoptosis were detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, colony formation assay and flow cytometry assay. Besides, protein expression of EGFR/JAK2/STAT3 pathway was determined by western blot. STAT3 was over-expressed in cervical cancer cells by STAT3 cDNA. Expression of EGFR and STAT3 protein of human tissues was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay.

RESULTS

In this study, we found that not only propofol alone could inhibit cervical cancer cells viability but also could increase the inhibitory effect of cisplatin on cervical cancer cells growth. Meanwhile, propofol sensitized cervical cancer cells to cisplatin-induced apoptosis but not affected normal cervical cells. In genetic level, propofol could enhance the anti-tumor effect of cisplatin through EGFR/JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Further studies indicated that overexpression of EGFR and STAT3 is related to poor prognoses in cervical cancer patients, which contributed to confirm the clinical role of combined application of propofol and cisplatin.

CONCLUSION

Propofol enhances the cisplatin-induced cell apoptosis cervical cancer cells via EGFR/JAK2/STAT3 pathway and may be developed as a potential therapeutic agent to treat cervical cancer.

Propofol ameliorates endothelial inflammation induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells: Role of phosphatase A2

Hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) induces endothelial inflammation with augmentation of endothelial adhesion molecules over-expression. Propofol was reported to attenuate endothelial adhesion molecule expression in some situations. Here, we examined the molecular mechanism for how propofol restored H/R-mediated up-regulation of endothelial adhesion molecules in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Compared with the control group, H/R up-regulated expression of Pin-1 and PP2A, increased p66(Shc)-Ser(36) phosphorylation, induced p66(Shc) mitochondrial translocation, O2(-) accumulation and NF-κB activation, and decreased eNOS-Ser(1177) phosphorylation and nitric oxide (NO) production, thus up-regulating expression of endothelial adhesion molecules and increasing mononuclear-endothelial interaction. More importantly, except that propofol had no effect on H/R-induced p66(Shc)-Ser(36) phosphorylation, most of H/R-mediated changes were alleviated by propofol, resulting in the reduction of endothelial adhesion molecules expression and mononuclear-endothelial adhesion. Moreover, we demonstrated the protective effect of propofol on H/R-induced endothelial inflammation was similar to that of calyculin A, an inhibitor of PP2A. In contrast, FTY720, an activator of PP2A, antagonized the effect of propofol. Our data indicated that propofol down-regulated PP2A expression, leading to reduced dephosphorylation of p66(Shc)-Ser(36) and eNOS-Ser(1177), which is associated with ROS accumulation and NO reduction, resulting in inhibition of endothelial adhesion molecule expression and mononuclear-endothelial interaction.