• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.1637-1643
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• 2012

This study investigated the effects of PG on IL-$1{\beta}$ expression and determined cellular factors involved in PG-mediated IL-$1{\beta}$ up-regulation in mononuclear cells in order to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying inflammatory responses associated with bacterial pathogen-associated molecular patterns in the diseased artery. Exposure of human monocytic leukemia THP-1 cells to PG resulted in enhanced secretion of IL-$1{\beta}$ and also profound induction of the IL-$1{\beta}$ gene transcript. These effects were abrogated by OxPAPC, an inhibitor of TLR-2/4. Pharmacological inhibitors such as U0126, SP6001250, Akti IV, rapamycin, and DPI also significantly attenuated PG-mediated IL-$1{\beta}$ up-regulation. However, polymyxin B did not influence the IL-$1{\beta}$ expression. This study indicates that PG contributes to vascular inflammation in atherosclerotic plaques by up-regulating expression of IL-$1{\beta}$ via TLR-2, Akt, mTOR, MAPKs, and ROS.