Inflammation

Inflammation contributes to the development of fibrotic and malignant diseases. We assessed the ability of inflammatory cytokines to modulate endothelial cell survival and functions related to tissue repair/remodeling. Treatment with interleukin (IL)-1£] or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-£ (2 ng/mL) led to human pulmonary artery endothelial cells becoming spindle-shaped fibroblast-like cells. However, immunoblot and DNA microarray showed no change in most endothelial and mesenchymal markers. In the presence of IL-1£] or TNF-£, cells were resistant to apoptosis induced by deprivation of serum and growth factor, and were more migratory. In addition, cells treated with IL-1£] or TNF-£ contracted collagen gels more robustly. In contrast, transforming growth factor-£]1 did not induce these responses. RNA interference targeting nuclear factor (NF)-£eB p65 blocked the effects of IL-1£] or TNF-£ on cell morphologic change, survival, migration, and collagen gel contraction. These results suggest that endothelial cells may contribute to tissue repair/remodeling via the NF-£eB signaling in a milieu of airway inflammation.