ObjectiveTo compare the different effects of ubiquitin(UB) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and macrophages under normal circumstances,and analyze whether UB could protect HUVECs from lipopolysaccharide(LPS) induced injury. MethodsThe morphologic changes of HUVECs in vitro with up-rising concentrations of UB interventions were observed. HUVECs and human macrophages in vitro were divided into 4 groups according to UB concentration (0.01 μg/mL,0.1 μg/mL, 1 μg/mL, and 10 μg/mL). Supernatant and cells of each group were collected in 24 h after UB intervention. The levels of TNF-α and VCAM-1 in supernatant were measured by ELISA while NF-κB protein level in cells was detected by Western blot. HUVECs were divided into a LPS group(LPS 10 μg/mL) and an UB+LPS group(UB 0.1 μg/mL,LPS 10 μg/mL). The supernatant of the two groups were collected in 8,16 and 24 h after LPS and UB intervention. The levels of TNF-α and VCAM-1 in supernatant were measured by ELISA. ResultsThe injury of HUVECs got worse with the ascending concentrations of UB.At the concentration of 50 μg/mL,UB induced HUVECs got ballooned and died massively. With the increase of UB concentration,the levels of TNF-α and VCAM-1 in HUVECs' supernatant ascended firstly and then descended,while those in human macrophages' supernatant ascended gradually. zHowever,the tendency of the NF-κB protein level in the two kinds of cells was similar when the concentration of UB increased.At the consentration of 0.1 μg/mL or 1 μg/mL,ubiquitin induced NF-κB protein level obviously increased.At the concentration of 0.01 μg/mL or 10 μg/mL,UB induced the protein level was similar with those of the control group and even decreased slightly. There was no significant difference in TNF-α or VCAM-1 levels at each time point between the LPS group and the UB+LPS group. ConclusionsUB injuries HUVECs obviously at a low concentration but injuires human macrophages at much higher concentraton. UB can not protect HUVECs from LPS-induced injury in vitro.