Up-regulation of Trim28 in pregnancy-induced hypertension is involved in the injury of human umbilical vein endothelial cells through the p38 signaling pathway.

AIMS: The present study is to analyze the regulation and potential molecular mechanism of Trim28 on vascular endothelial injury induced by pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH).

METHODS: Trim28 mRNA in placental tissues and peripheral blood from PIH patients were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The serum from PIH was used to stimulate human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). After silencing Trim28 in HUVECs, we used CCK-8 assay, Transwell assay and flow cytometry to investigate proliferation, migration and apoptosis. Western blotting was used to measure Trim28 protein level and p38 phosphorylation level. After addition of p38 inhibitor, the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of HUVECs with silenced Trim28 were studied again.

RESULTS: Trim28 expression in placental tissues and peripheral blood from PIH patients is elevated, and serum from these patients can up-regulate the expression of Trim28 in HUVECs in vitro. Trim28 silencing significantly inhibits the proliferation and migration of HUVECs by affecting the cell cycle. Down-regulation of Trim28 expression promotes the apoptosis of HUVECs. Trim28 regulates the biological function of HUVECs by affecting the activity of the p38 signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates that Trim28 is up-regulated in peripheral blood of patients with PIH and participates in HUVECs injury through the p38 signaling pathway.