Construction of human eukaryotic expression plasmid vascular endothelial growth factor 165 and its expression in transfected vascular smooth muscles

BACKGROUND: The highly specific vascular endothelialgrowth factor (VEGF) induces the growth of vascular en-dothelial cell. This study was to construct the eukaryoticexpression plasmid of vascular endothelial growth factorl65(VEGF165) and observe its expression in vascular smoothmuscles (VSMCs).METHODS: The primers were designed and synthesizedaccording to the gene sequences of human VEGF165. TheVEGF165 gene was obtained from umbilic artery tissue bythe method of RT-PCR, then it was cloned to eukaryoticexpression plasmid pBudCE4.1 by recombination strategy.The eukaryotic expression plasmid named pBudCE4.1/VEGF165 was identified by restriction enzyme digestion,and was sequenced. The pBudCE4.1/VEGF165 was trans-fected into VSMCs by using lipofection. The VEGF165 ex-pression of mRNA and protein was detected by RT-PCRand Western blot respectively.RESULTS: VEGF165 was shown about 576bp by RT-PCR.Sequencing revealed the amplified VEGF165 gene was iden-tical with that in the GeneBank. Restrictive enzyme (HindBam HI) digestion analysis showed that recombinantexpression plasmid pBudCE4. l/tVEGF165 had been con-structed successfully. The expression of VEGF165 at mRNAand protein levels in the transformed VSMCs had beendemonstrated by RT-PCR and Western blot.CONCLUSIONS: The recombinant eukaryotic expressionplasmid pBudCE4.1/VEGF165 has been successfully con-structed and expressed in transformed VSMCs. The presentstudy has laid a foundation for VEGF165 gene therapy ofvascular stenosis in the transplant organ.

Different Responses of Cell Cycle between Rat Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Vascular Endothelial Cells to Paclitaxel

Summary： Although previous reports showed dmg-eluting stent （DES） could effectively inhibit neointima formation, in-stent restenosis （ISR） remains an important obstacle. The purpose of this study was to investigate different effects of paclitaxel on proliferation and cell cycle regulators between vascular smooth muscle cells （VSMCs） and vascular endothelial cells （VECs） of rats in vitro. The cultured VSMCs and VECs of rats from the same tissues were examined by using immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and Western blotting in control and paclitaxel-treated groups. The results showed paclitaxel could effectively inhibit proliferation of VSMCs and VECs. However, as compared with VECs, prolif- eration of VSMCs in paclitaxel-treated group decreased less rapidly. The percentage of cells in G0-G1 and G2-M phases was reduced, and that in S phase increased after treatment for 72 h. The expression of cyclin D1 and B1, p27 and PCNA in VSMCs of paclitaxel-treated group was up-regulated, but that of p21 down-regulated as compared with VECs. It is concluded that there are significant differences in the expression of cell cycle regulators and proliferation rate between paclitaxel-treated VSMCs and paclitaxel-treated VECs, suggesting that the G1 S checkpoint regulated by paclitaxel may play a critical role in the development of complications of DES, which provides new strategies for treatments of ISR.

Differences in the primary culture, purification and biological characteristics between endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells from rat aorta

Objective： To investigate the differences of primary culture, purification and biological characteristics between endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells from rat aorta. Methods： Endothelial cells were obtained using the vascular ring adherence, collagenase digestion method and an improved vascular ring adherence method, while smooth muscle cells were separated from tissue sections of rat aorta. Clones of endothelial cells were selected by limiting dilution assay. Both cell types were identified using specific cell immunofluorescent markers, and phase contrast microscopy was used to observe the morphological disparity between endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells at the single cell and colony level. Cell proliferation was determined by the cell counting kit-8. Differences between endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells were evaluated in trypsin digestion time, attachment time and recovery after cryopreservation. Results： Endothelial cells were obtained by all three methods. The improved vascular ring method provided the most reproducible results. Cells were in good condition, and of high purity. Smooth muscle cells were cultured successfully by the tissue fragment culture method. Clonal expansion of single endothelial cells was attained. The two cell types expressed their respective specific markers, and the rate of proliferation of smooth muscle cells exceeded that of endothelial cells. Endothelial cells were more sensitive to trypsin digestion than smooth muscle cells. In addition, they had a shorter adherence time and better recovery following cryopreservation than smooth muscle cells. Conclusion： The improved vascular ring method was optimal for yielding endothelial cells. Limiting dilution is a novel and valid method for purifying primary endothelial cells from rat aorta. Primary rat endothelial cell and vascular smooth muscle cell cultures exhibited different morphological characteristics, proliferation rate, adherence time, susceptibility to trypsin digestion and recovery after cryopreservation. Our research can be a good foundation for further application in the regeneration of blood vessel.

Hypoxia Down-regulates Secretion of MMP-2, MMP-9 in Porcine Pulmonary Artery Endothelial and Smooth Muscle Cells and the Role of HIF-1

Summary： Primary cell culture, techniques of gene transfection, gelatin zymography, and Western blot were used to investigate the effect of hypoxia on the secretion of MMP 2 and MMP-9 in pulmonary artery endothelial cells （PAEC） and smooth muscle cells （PASMC）, and the role of HIF-1. Our results showed that （1） after exposure to hypoxia for 24 h, the protein content and activity of MMP-2 in the PAEC medium as well as these of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in PASMC medium （P〈0. 01 ） decreased significantly in contrast to those in normoxic group （P（0.05） ; （2） after transfection of wild type EPO3＇ enhancer, a HIF-1 decoy, the content and activity of MMP 2 and MMP-9 in hypoxic mediums became higher than those in normoxic group （P〈0. 01）, while transfection of mutant EPO3＇-enhancer didn＇t affect the hypoxia-induced down-regulation. It is concluded that hypoxia could inhibit the secretion and activity of MMP 2 and MMP-9 in PAEC and PASMC, which could he mitigated by the transfection of EPO3 ＇-enhancer and that H1F-1 pathway might contribute to hypoxia-induced down regulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9.

Involvement of TRPC1 and Cyclin D1 in Human Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells Proliferation Induced by Cigarette Smoke Extract

Cigarette smoking contributes to the development of pulmonary artery hypertension(PAH).As the basic pathological change of PAH,pulmonary vascular remodeling is considered to be related to the abnormal proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells(PASMCs).However,the molecular mechanism underlying this process remains not exactly clear.The aim of this research was to study the molecular mechanism of PASMCs proliferation induced by smoking.Human PASMCs(HPASMCs)were divided into 6 groups:0%(control group),cigarette smoking extract(CSE)-treated groups at concentrations of 0.5%,1%,2%,5%,10%CSE respectively.HPASMCs proliferation was observed after 24 h.HPASMCs were divided into two groups:0(control group),0.5%CSE group.The mRNA and protein expression levels of transient receptor potential channel 1(TRPC1)and cyclin D1 in HPASMCs after CSE treatment were respectively detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting.The intracellular calcium ion concentration was measured by the calcium probe in each group.In the negative control group and TRPC1-siRNA transfection group,the proliferation of HPASMCs and the expression of cyclin D1 mRNA and protein were detected.Data were compared with one-way ANOVA(for multiple-group comparison)and independent t-test(for two-group comparison)followed by the least significant difference(LSD)test with the computer software SPSS 17.0.It was found that 0.5%and 1%CSE could promote the proliferation of HPASMCs(P<0.05),and the former was more effective than the latter(P<0.05),while 3%and above CSE had inhibitory effect on HPASMCs(P<0.05).The mRNA and protein expression levels of TRPC1 and cyclin D1 in 0.5%and 1%CSE groups were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05),while those in 3%CSE group were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Moreover,the proliferation of HPASMCs and the expression of cyclin D1 mRNA and protein in TRPC1-siRNA transfection group were significantly reduced as compared with those in the negative control group(P<0.05).It was concluded that low concentration of CSE can promote the proliferation of HPASMCs,while high concentrations of CSE inhibit HPASMCs proliferation.These findings suggested that CSE induced proliferation of HPASMCs at least in part via TRPC1-mediated cyclin D1 expression.

The crosstalk between endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells during low shear stress:a proteomic-based approach

Instruction Shear stress,caused by the parallel frictional drag force of blood flow,is a biomechanical force which plays an important role in the control of blood vessels growth and functions [1]. Clinical researches had found out that atherosclerotic le-

Both Hypoxic Endothelial Cell Conditioned Medium and Hypoxia Elevate Intracellular Free Calcium in Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells

By using Ca2+ -sensitive fluorescent probe, Fura-2 , the effects of endothelial cell-conditioned medium and hypoxia on intracellular free calcium ( [Ca2+]i) in cultured pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMC) were studied. Normoxic porcine pulmonary artery endothelial cell-conditioned medium (NPAECCM) obviously elevated [Ca2+]i in PASMC,whereas the hypoxic porcine pulmonary artery endothelial cell conditioned medium (HPAECCM)significantly elevated [Ca2+]i in PASMC much more than NPAECCM. Both the effects of NPAECCM and HPAECCM were dependent on the cultured endothelial cell extracellular calcium concentrations, ranged from 1.8 mmol/L to 2. 4 mmol/L.Meanwhile, hypoxia directly increased, which was partially inhibited by verapamil,[Ca2+]i in PASMC through Ca2+ influx pathway.The data suggest that the augmented regulation of endothelial cell on PASMC via Ca2+ second messenger system and the hypoxia-induced Ca2+ influx into PASMC,particularly the former, may be components of mechanisms underlying hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction and chronic pulmonary hypertension.

Overexpression of heme oxygenase-1 protects smooth muscle cells against oxidative injury and inhibits cell proliferation

To investigate whether the expression of exogenous heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene within vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) could protect the cells from free radical attack and inhibit cell proliferation, we established an in vitro transfection of human HO-1 gene into rat VSMC mediated by a retroviral vector. The results showed that the profound expression of HO-1 protein as well as HO activity was 1.8- and 2.0-fold increased respectively in the transfected cells compared to the non-transfected ones. The treatment of VSMC with different concentrations of H2O2 led to the remarkable cell damage as indicated by survival rate and LDH leakage. However, the resistance of the HO-1 transfected VSMC against H2O2 was significantly raised. This protective effect was dramatically diminished when the transfected VSMC were pretreated with ZnPP-IX, a specific inhibitor of HO, for 24 h. In addition, we found that the growth potential of the transfected cells was significantly inhibited directly by increased activity of HO-1, and this effect might be related to decreased phosphorylation of MAPK. These results suggest that the overexpression of introduced hHO-1 is potentially able to reduce the risk factors of atherosclerosis, partially due to its cellular protection against oxidative injury and to its inhibitory effect on cellular proliferation.

THE EFFECT OF RADIX SALVIAE MILTIORRHIZAE ON THE INHIBITORY ACTIVITY OF VASCULAR SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS TO THE PLASMINOGEN ACTIVATORS SECRETED BY ENDOTHELIAL CELLS

Cultured porcine endothelial cells (EC) produce and secrete plasminogenactivators (PA). If the serum free media incubated by vascular smooth muscle cells(SMC-CM) were mixed with the same media incubated by endothelial cells (EC-CM),the PA activities of the latter decreased significantly. Cocultivation of EC with SMC alsoresulted in a significant decrease (70.7%) of PA activities produced by EC. Sodiumdodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis of SMC-CMfollowed by reverse fibrin autography demonstrated that the PA inhibitor had a molecularweight of 49000-62000. In this study we also investigated the effect of a Chinese herbalmedicine-Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae (RSM) on the inhibitory activity of SMC. The re-sults showed that RSM significantly decreased the inhibitory activity of SMC against thePA secreted by EC.

Oxidative modification of high density lipoprotein induced by cultured human arterial smooth muscle cells

Objective: To observe the oxidative modification of high density lipoprotein (HDL) induced by cultured human arterial smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Methods: HDL cocultured with SMCs at 37℃ in 48 h was subjected, and native HDL (N-HDL) served as control. Oxidative modification of HDL was identified by using agarose gel electrophoresis. Absorbances of conjugated diene (CD) and lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) were measured with ultraviolet spectrophotometry at 234 and 560 nm respectively, and fluorescence intensity of thiobarbuturic acid reaction substance (TBARS) with fluorescence spectrophotometry at 550 nm emission wavelength with excitation at 515 nm. Results: In comparison with N-HDL, the electrophoretic mobility of SMCs-cocultured HDL was increased, and the contents of CD, LOOH and TBARS HDL were very significantly higher than those of the control HDL (P<0.01). Conclusion: Oxidative modification of HDL can be induced by human arterial SMCs.

New categorization of human vascular endothelial cells by pro-vs anti-proliferative phenotypes

AIM: To integrally understand the effects of human vascular endothelial cells(VECs) on the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs).METHODS: Various kinds of human VECs of different origins were co-cultured with human aortic smooth muscle cells, a representative of human VSMCs. To exclude the irrelevant effects due to growth competition between VECs and VSMCs, the proliferation of VECs had previously been arrested via a low-dose gamma rayirradiation. To discriminately analyze the proliferation of VSMCs from that of VECs, the former cells were labeled with red fluorescent dye while the latter cells were labeled with green fluorescent dye before performing coculture experiments. After 4 d, total cells were harvested and subjected to flow cytometric analyses. Decrements in red fluorescence intensities due to proliferationmediated dilutions were measured and mathematically processed using a specific software to quantitatively evaluate the proliferation of VSMCs. The findings obtained from the flow cytometry-based analyses were further validated by microscopic observations. RESULTS: Commercially available primary cultured human VECs exclusively promoted VSMC proliferation regardless of their tissue origins and we termed these pro-proliferative VECs as "typeⅠ". By contrast, VECs freshly generated from human bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitors cells or human pluripotent stem cells including embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells suppressed VSMC proliferation and we termed these anti-proliferative VECs as "typeⅡ". Repetitive subcultures as well as oxidative stress induced "type Ⅱ VECs to typeⅠ" conversion along with an induction of Regulator of G-protein signaling 5(RGS5)Compatibly, anti-oxidant treatments suppressed both the subculture-dependent "typeⅡ to typeⅠ" conversion and an induction of RGS5 gene. Immunostaining studies of clinical specimens indicated that RGS5 protein expressions in endothelial layers were low in norma arteries but they were up-regulated in pathologica arteries including hypertension, atherosclerosis and autoimmune vasculitis in a dose-dependent manner Overexpression and knockdown of RGS5 caused that"typeⅡ to typeⅠ" and "typeⅠ to type Ⅱ" phenotype conversions of VECs, respectively. CONCLUSION: Human VECs are categorized into two types: pro-proliferative RGS5^(high) VECs(typeⅠ) and antiproliferative RGS5 ^(low) VECs(typeⅡ).

p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase regulates type-Ⅰ vs type-Ⅱ phenotyping of human vascular endothelial cells

AIM: To identify kinases involved in phenotype regulation of vascular endothelial cells(VECs): Proproliferative G-protein signaling 5(RGS5)^(high)(typeⅠ) vs anti-proliferative RGS5^(low)(typeⅡ) VECs.METHODS: Proteomic kinase assays were performed to identify the crucial kinase involved in the phenotype regulation of human VECs using typeⅠ VECs, which promotes the proliferation of human vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs), and typeⅡ VECs, which suppress the proliferation of human VSMCs. The assays were performed using multiple pairs of typeⅠ and typeⅡ VECs to obtain the least number of candidates. The involvement of the candidate kinases was verified by evaluating the effects of their specific inhibitors on the phenotype regulation of human VECs as well as the expression levels of regulator of RGS5, which is the causative gene for the "typeⅡ to typeⅠ" phenotype conversion of human VECs. RESULTS: p38α mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38α MAPK) was the only kinase that showed distinctive activities between typeⅠ and typeⅡ VECs: p38α MAPK activities were low and high in type-Ⅰand typeⅡ VECs, respectively. We found that an enforced expression of RGS5 indeed lowered p38α MAPK activitiesin typeⅡ VECs. Furthermore, treatments with a p38α MAPK inhibitor nullified the anti-proliferative potential in typeⅡ VECs. Interestingly, MAPK inhibitor treatments enhanced the induction of RGS5 gene. Thus, there is a vicious cycle between "RGS5 induction" and "p38α MAPK inhibition", which can explain the unidirectional process in the stress-induced "typeⅡ to typeⅠ" conversions of human VECs. To understand the upstream signaling of RGS5, which is known as an inhibitory molecule against the G protein-coupled receptor(GPCR)-mediated signaling, we examined the effects of RGS5 overexpression on the signaling events from sphingosine-1-phosphate(S1P) to N-cadherin, because S1 P receptors belong to the GPCR family gene and N-cadherin, one of their downstream effectors, is reportedly involved in the regulation of VEC-VSMC interactions. We found that RGS5 specifically bound with S1P1. Moreover, N-cadherin localization at intercellular junctions in typeⅡ VECs was abolished by "RGS5 overexpression" and "p38α MAPK inhibition".CONCLUSION: p38α MAPK plays crucial roles in "type-Ⅰ vs type-Ⅱ" phenotype regulations of human VECs at the downstream of RGS5.

Effects of transforming growth factor β2 and connective tissue growth factor on induction of epithelial mesenchymal transition and extracellular matrix synthesis in human lens epithelial cells

AIM:To Investigate the effects of transforming growth factorβ2(TGF-β2)and connective tissue growth factor(CTGF)on transdifferentiation of human lens epithelial cells(HLECs)cultured in vitro and synthesis of extracellular matrix(ECM).METHODS:HLECs were treated with TGF-β2(0,0.5,1.0,5,10μg/L)and CTGF(0,15,30,60,100μg/L)for different times(0,24,48,72h)in vitro and the expression ofα-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),the main component of the extracellular matrix typeⅠcollagen(Col-1)and fibronectin(Fn)were measured by using real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR)and western-blot.RESULTS:TGF-β2 and CTGF significantly increased expression ofα-SMA mRNA and protein(P【0.05,P【0.001),Fn mRNA and protein(P【0.001),Col-1 mRNA and protein(P【0.001).TGF-β2 could induce HLECs expression of CTGF mRNA and protein in dosedependent manner(P【0.05,P【0.001).TGF-β2 and CTGF could induce HLECs to expressα-SMA,Fn and Col-1 in time-dependent manner.Each time of TGF-β2and CTGF induced HELCs expression ofα-SMA,Fn,Col-1 mRNA and protein was significant increase compared with control(P【0.05,P【0.001).CONCLUSION:TGF-β2 and CTGF could induce HLECs epithelial mesenchymal transition and ECM synthesis.

Histone deacetylases:Regulation of vascular homeostasis via endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells and the role in vascular pathogenesis

tHistone deacetylases(HDACs)are proteases that play a key role in chromosome structural modification and gene expression regulation,and the involvement of HDACs in can-cer,the nervous system,and the metabolic and immune system has been well reviewed.Our understanding of the function of HDACs in the vascular system has recently progressed,and a significant variety of HDAC inhibitors have been shown to be effective in the treatment of vascular diseases.However,few reviews have focused on the role of HDACs in the vascular sys-tem.In this study,the role of HDACs in the regulation of the vascular system mainly involving endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells was discussed based on recent updates,and the role of HDACs in different vascular pathogenesis was summarized as well.Furthermore,the therapeutic effects and prospects of HDAC inhibitors were also addressed in this review.

Human vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells cocultured on polyglycolic acid (70/30) scaffold in tissue engineered vascular graft

Background Current prosthetic, small diameter vascular grafts showing poor long term patency rates have led to the pursuit of other biological materials. Biomaterials that successfully integrate into surrounding tissue should match not only the mechanical properties of tissues, but also topography. Polyglycolic acid （70130） has been used as synthetic grafts to determine whether human vascular smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells attach, survive and secrete endothelin and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α （6-keto-PGF1α）. Methods Endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells were isolated from adult human great saphenous vein. They were seeded on polyglycolic acid scaffold in vitro separately to grew vascular patch （Groups A and B respectively） and cocultured in vitro to grow into vascular patch （Group C）. Smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells were identified by immunohistochemical analysis and growth of cells on polyglycolic acid was investigated using scanning electron microscopy. The levels of endothelin and 6-keto-PGF1α in the culturing solutions were examined by radioimmunology to measure endothelial function. Results Seed smooth muscle cells adhered to polyglycolic acid scaffold and over 28 days grew in the interstices to form a uniform cell distribution throughout the scaffold. Then seed endothelial cells formed a complete endothelial layer on the smooth muscle cells. The levels of endothelin and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha in the culturing solution were （234±29） pg/ml and （428±98） pg/ml respectively in Group C and （196±30） pg/ml and （346±120） pg/ml in Group B; both significantly higher than in Groups A and D （blank control group, all P〈0.05 ）. Conclusions Cells could be grown successfully on polyglycolic acid and retain functions of secretion. Our next step is to use human saphenous vein smooth muscle cells and endothelial cells to grow tubular vascular grafts in vitro.

Effect of serum concentration on adhesion of monocytic THP-1 cells onto cultured EC monolayer and EC-SMC co-culture

Background:The adhesion of monocytes to the endothelium following accumulation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in subendothelial spaces is an important step in the development of intimal hyperplasia in arterially implanted vein grafts and atherosclerosis in both animals and humans. However, it is not well known how serum factors affect the adhesion of monocytes. Methods: We have studied the effect of fetal calf serum (FCS), which we considered a source of LDL, on the adhesion of monocytes to endothelial cells (ECs) by using human monocytic THP-1 cells and both a monolayer of cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (EC monoculture) and a co-culture with bovine aortic smooth muscle cells (EC-SMC co-culture). Results: It was found that the addition of FCS to the medium greatly affected the adhesion of THP-1 cells, and the higher the concentration of FCS in the medium, the greater the adhesion of THP-1 cells to endothelial cells. Adhesion of THP-1 cells to an EC-SMC co-culture was approximately twofold greater than that to an EC monoculture, and after adhering to endothelial cells, many THP-1 cells trans-migrated into the layer of smooth muscle cells. Conclusion: The results suggest that the elevation of the LDL (cholesterol) level in blood provides a favorable condition for the development of intimal hyperplasia and atherosclerosis by promoting the adhesion of monocytes to the endothelium and their subsequent migration into subendothelial spaces.

Dicycloplatin differentially inhibits proliferation of human aortic smooth muscle and endothelial cells： potential for use in drug-eluting stents

Background Dicycloplatin is a relatively safe third generation focused on the effects of dicycloplatin on in vitro proliferation （HASMC） and human aortic endothelial cells （HAEC）. platinum-complex anti-cancer drug. The present study and apoptosis of human aortic smooth muscle cells Methods Proliferation of HASMC and HAEC, DNA content, and cellular levels of proliferation- and apoptosis-related proteins were assessed using the （3-（4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）-5-（3-carboxymethoxyphenyl）-2-（4-sulfophenyl）- 2H-tetrazolium） （MTS） assay, flow cytometry and Western blotting assays, respectively. Results Dicycloplatin at 10 ng/ml significantly inhibited HASMC proliferation, however, 10 μg/ml were required to significantly inhibit HAEC proliferation. Cell cycle analysis showed that dicycloplatin was a non-specific inhibitor of the cell cycle. Although dicycloplatin significantly decreased proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA） expression in HASMC at all concentrations tested, it did not significantly affect PCNA expression in HAEC; Bax and p53 protein expression was upregulated in dicycloplatin groups. Conclusions Dicycloplatin at nanogram concentrations significantly inhibits HASMC proliferation, although the effect is relatively weaker than that of sirolimus. In contrast, the effect of dicycloplatin on inhibition of HAEC proliferation is much less pronounced than that on HASMC. The latter characteristics point to the potential for use of dicycloplatin in drug-eluting stents.

Effect of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor KDR on human airway smooth muscle cells proliferation

Airway remodeling with inflammatory cell infiltration, epithelial shedding, basement membrane thickening and increased mass of airway smooth muscle (ASM) is an important determinant of bronchial obstruction and hyperresponsiveness in asthma.^(1,2) Increased ASM mass is by far the most important abnormality responsible for excessive airway narrowing and compliance of the airway wall in asthma.^(1-3) ASM growth and proliferation in asthma is a complex phenomenon of which the underlying mechanisms are difficult to investigate in vivo. The increased amount of ASM in asthmatics is an indication of abnormal cell proliferation and growth, but little is known regarding the molecular mechanisms and factors that regulate ASM cell proliferation and growth in asthma.

Advances in the differentiation of pluripotent stem cells into vascular cells

Blood vessels constitute a closed pipe system distributed throughout the body,transporting blood from the heart to other organs and delivering metabolic waste products back to the lungs and kidneys.Changes in blood vessels are related to many disorders like stroke,myocardial infarction,aneurysm,and diabetes,which are important causes of death worldwide.Translational research for new appro-aches to disease modeling and effective treatment is needed due to the huge socio-economic burden on healthcare systems.Although mice or rats have been widely used,applying data from animal studies to human-specific vascular physiology and pathology is difficult.The rise of induced pluripotent stem cells(iPSCs)provides a reliable in vitro resource for disease modeling,regenerative medicine,and drug discovery because they carry all human genetic information and have the ability to directionally differentiate into any type of human cells.This review summarizes the latest progress from the establishment of iPSCs,the strategies for differentiating iPSCs into vascular cells,and the in vivo trans-plantation of these vascular derivatives.It also introduces the application of these technologies in disease modeling,drug screening,and regenerative medicine.Additionally,the application of high-tech tools,such as omics analysis and high-throughput sequencing,in this field is reviewed.