TNF and endothelial dysfunction: In present study, endothelial dysfunction (as demonstrated by the increased expression of MCP-1, E-selectin, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1), the inflammatory response (as demonstrated by the elevated expressions of iNOS, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β) and the activation of the NF-kB signaling pathway were also induced by LPS in EA.hy926 cells (Figure 8, Figure 9 and Figure 10).