Insulin inhibits NFκB and MCP-1 expression in human aortic endothelial cells

In view of our recent demonstration that insulin inhibits the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and the fact that ICAM-1 expression is known to be modulated by nuclear factor-κB (NFκB), we have now investigated whether insulin inhibits intranuclear NFκB binding activity. We have also investigated whether insulin inhibits the pro-inflammatory chemokine, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), which attracts leucocytes to the inflamed sites and is also regulated by NFκB. Insulin was incubated with cultured human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) at 0, 100 and 1000 μU/mL. Intranuclear NFκB binding activity was suppressed by approximately 45% at 100 μU/mL and by 60% at 1000 μU/mL (p<0.05). MCP-1 mRNA expression was also suppressed by 47% at 100 μU/mL and by 79% at 1000 μU/mL (p<0.05). We conclude that insulin at physiologically relevant concentrations exerts an inhibitory effect on the cardinal pro-inflammatory transcription factor NFκB and the pro-inflammatory chemokine MCP-1; these effects suggest an anti-inflammatory and potential anti-atherogenic effects of insulin.