SAA1 increases NOX4/ROS production to promote LPS-induced inflammation in vascular smooth muscle cells through activating p38MAPK/NF-κB pathway

Background To investigate the effects of serum amyloid A1 (SAA1) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -induced inflammation in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). SAA1 expression was detected in LPS induced VSMCs at different concentrations for different time by using Western blotting. After pre-incubation with recombinant SAA1 protein, VSMCs were treated with 1 mu g/ml LPS for 24 h. The VSMCs were then divided into Control, SAA1 siRNA, Nox4 siRNA, LPS, LPS + SAA1 siRNA, LPS + Nox4 siRNA and LPS + SAA1 siRNA + Nox4 groups. MTT was performed to observe the toxicity of VSMCs. Lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence method was used to detect superoxide anion (O-2(-)) production and NADPH oxidase activity. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to determine expressions of inflammatory factors. Western blotting was used to determine expressions of NOX-4 and p38MAPK/NF-kappa B pathway related proteins. Results LPS promoted SAA1 protein expression in a concentration-/time-dependent manner. Recombinant SAA1 protein could increase NOX4/ROS production and promote the release of inflammatory factors (IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, TNF-alpha and MCP-1) in LPS (1 mu g/ml) - induced VSMCs. Besides, both SAA1 siRNA and NOX-4 siRNA could not only enhance the O-2(-) production and NADPH oxidase activity, but also up-regulate the protein expression of NOX4, the release of inflammatory factors, and the levels of p-p38 and p-NF-kappa B p65 in LPS-induced VSMCs. However, no significant differences in each index were observed between LPS group and LPS + SAA1 siRNA + Nox4 group. Conclusion SAA1-mediated NOX4/ROS pathway could activate p38MAPK/NF-kappa B pathway, thereby contributing to the release of inflammatory factors in LPS-induced VSMCs.