MPs released by LPS-treated THP-1 cells induce the expression of cell adhesion molecules by HUVECs. (A) HUVECs were incubated for 1 or 2 hours in serum-free conditions with MPs from untreated or LPS-treated THP-1 cells or 10 ng/mL TNF-α. ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin mRNA expression was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. (B) HUVECs were incubated for 4 hours in serum-free conditions with MPs derived from LPS-treated or untreated THP-1 cells or 10 ng/mL TNF-α. Expression of VCAM-1, E-selectin, and ICAM-1 by HUVECs was detected by Western blot. (C) HUVECs were incubated for 4 hours in serum-free conditions with MPs from LPS-treated PBMCs or 10 ng/mL TNF-α. VCAM-1 was detected by Western blot. (D) HUVECs were treated with 5 or 10μM of the NF-κB pathway inhibitors MG-132, Bay11–7082, or vehicle control (dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO]) and then stimulated with MPs from LPS-treated THP-1 cells. VCAM-1 was detected by Western blot. GAPDH served as a loading control. Results are representative of 3 independent experiments.