[Effect of the costimulatory molecules OX40-OX40 ligand interaction on the expression of NFATc1 in leukocytes of apolipoprotein E-deficient mice].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of OX40/OX40L interaction on the nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1) in ApoE-/- mice. METHODS: Lymphocytes were prepared from mouse spleens after Collar-treated Surgery, then incubated with a range of agonistic anti-OX40 mAbs and inhibitory anti-OX40L mAb to stimulate or inhibit OX40-OX40L interaction in vitro. The expression of NFATc1 mRNA and protein in lymphocytes of ApoE-/- mice was measured by Real Time PCR and flow cytometry, respectively. RESULTS: (1) After stimulating OX40-OX40L signal pathway, the expression of NFATc1 mRNA and protein in leukocytes of ApoE-/- mice was significantly increased, with maximal effect occurring at 20 µg/ml anti-OX40 mAb-stimulated, and peaked at 24 h at any concentration (P < 0.01). (2) Anti-OX40L mAb significantly suppressed the expression of NFATc1 in leukocytes of ApoE-/- mice, with maximal effect occurring at 20 µg/ml anti-OX40L mAb, and peaked at 24 h (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: OX40-OX40L interaction can regulate the mRNA and protein expressions of NFATc1 in lymphocytes of ApoE-/- mice.