Resolvin D1 down-regulates CYP1A1 and PTGS2 gene in the HUVEC cells treated with benzo(a)pyrene

• Environmental stresses, genetic factors, diet and lifestyle can accentuate atheroma formation.
• HUVEC cells co-treated with BaP and RvD1 had a decrease of COX-2 and cPGES expression.
• Incubation with BaP and RvD1 resulted in repression of the PTGS2 and CYP1A1 gene.
• Our data suggested that RvD1 might potentially aid in the repair of the injured endothelium.

BackgroundPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can interact with lipids and their derivatives and have been known to induce atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of Resolvin D1 (RvD1) on inflammatory-state realted proteins and genes in the human primary umbilical vein endothelial HUVEC cells exposed to benzo(a)pyrene (BaP).MethodsWe analyzed the influence of RvD1 and/or BaP on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), cytosolic prostaglandine E2 synthase (cPGES), glutathione S transferase (GSTM1) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) protein expression by Western blot. Additionaly, phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) and cytochrome P450 (CYP1A1) activity, as well as AhR, CYP1A1, phospholipase A2 (PLA2G4A) and prostaglandin synthase 2 (PTGS2) gene expression by qRT-PCR was studied.ResultsRvD1 down-regulates cytochrome P450 (CYP1A1) and prostaglandin synthase 2 (PTGS2) gene expression in HUVEC cells exposed to BaP. Repressesion of COX-2, cPGES and overexpressesion of GSTM1 protein was noted after co-treatment with RvD1 and BaP. After incubation with RvD1 an increase of cPLA2 and a decrease of CYP1A1 activity was observed when compared to BaP treated alone endothelial cells.ConclusionsOur data suggests that RvD1 can significantly contributes on vascular function and alleviates the harmful effects caused by BaP, which might potentially aid in the repair of the injured endothelium.