A Mechanismic Study of EGCG on Macrophage-Derived Foam Cells: A Proteomic Analysis

Background: EGCG, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, a constituent of catechin with the highest content in green tea, is currently show anti-atherogenic effects ex vivo in humans. Objective: To study the effect of EGCG on proteome of Raw264.7 macrophage-derived foam cell by using two-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrum. Method: The proteins from macrophage cells, foam cells, and EGCG-treated cells with 30μg/mL EGCG were separated with two-dimensional electrophoresis and the gels were scanned after silver staining. All images were analyzed by Image Master 2D 6.0 software, and the different proteins were identified by mass spectrum. Results: M2-type pyruvate kinase, glucose-6-phosphatase, triose phosphate isomerase, ATP synthase, stathmin 1, proteasome 26S, ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, ring finger protein 130, glyoxalase domain containing 4, beta-actin, Tropomyosin, A-X actin, heat shock protein 70, Adenine phosphoribosyltransferase, macrophage migration inhibitory factor 13kda protein, and anti-sense basic fibroblast growth factor, were identified to be differentially expressed among the macrophage cells, foam cells, and EGCG-treated foam cells. Conclusion: EGCG prevents the development of atherosclerosis probably through changing the expression of cytoskeletal proteins and antioxidant enzymes to regulate the energy metabolism in foam cells.