Transcriptome analysis of cultured human lung microvascular endothelial cells (HLMVECs) to explore functional roles for CD26/DPP4 in mediating inflammatory responses by LPS

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of CD26/DPP4 in HLMVECs in response to the pro-inflammatory stimulus LPS. Methods: Four primary cell lines of HLMVECs were used. HLMVECs were cultured in endothelial growth medium-2 supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. The cells were incubated at 37°C in a 5% CO2 incubator and used at passages 6–8 for all experiments. 2 kinds of CD26/DPP4 siRNA were used. HLMVECS were treated with CD26/DPP4 siRNA or non-specific control siRNA or vehicle for 72 hours, then stimulated with LPS or PBS for 18 hours. Results: Varieties of DEGs were determined between groups leading to the enrichment analysis. Conclusions: The results suggest that CD26/DPP4 expression is related to multiple important functions in HLMVECs, including inflammation, barrier function, and regenerative processes. Overall design: Examination of 4 HLMVEC lines, under the following conditions: DPP4 suppression +/-, LPS stimulation +/-.