siRNA knocks down Hsp27 and increases angiotensin II-Induced phosphorylated NF-κB p65 levels in aortic smooth muscle cells

Objective and design: Angiotensin II (Ang II) induces the proinflammatory nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) in the vasculature. Heat shock and elevated levels of heat shock proteins (Hsps) decrease Ang II-induced NF-κB transcriptional activity and inflammation, but little is known about the role of specific Hsps. Here we used small interfering RNA (siRNA) technology to examine the role of Hsp27 in the Ang II-induced NF-κB signaling pathway.