CREG inhibits VSMCs proliferation by modulating the internalization of IGFII

Background To study the molecular mechanisms of CREG(the cellular repressor of E1A-stimulated gene) on proliferation of VSMCs in vitro.Methods The pRc/CMV-CREG plasmid or the pSM2-siCREG plasmid was transferred into human vascular smooth muscle cells(hVSMCs) to produce the cell clone that over-expression or down-expression of CREG respectively.BrdU assay and FACS cell cycle analysis were used to detect the proliferation of cells.Western blotting and immunocytochemistry show the expression and localization of IGF2R in hVSMCs.RT-PCR and ELISA assay determined the expression and secretion of IGFII factor. Alex488-labeled rhIGFII was used to investigate the endocysis of cells.And the blockade of IGFII internalization by treatment both the neutralized antibody of anti-IGF2R and rsIGF2R detected the effect of IGFII on VSMCs growth. Furthermore,Western blotting and signal pathway inhibitor were used to analysis the activation of PI3K/AKT and ERK on VSMCs proliferation.Results Western blotting identified that the expression of CREG in hVSMCs-CREG cells increased compared to control cell,and the decreased obviously in hVSMCs-siCREG cells.Meanwhile,the overexpression of CREG in cells was detected to inhibit the proliferation of VSMCs and to enhance the distribution of IGF2R in cellular membrane.Furthermore,overexpression of CREG also accelerated the endocysis of IGFII in hVSMCs-CREG,and attenuate the secretion of IGFII into cell medium by ELISA analysis and Alex488 labeled IGFII analysis.Blockade experiments both neutralized antibody of IGF2R and rhIGF2R fragment determined that enhancement of IGFII secretion promoted the VSMCs proliferation,and PI3K/AKT and ERK signal pathway mediated the effect of IGFII on VSMCs.Conclusions Altogether, these data indicate that CREG inhibits the proliferation of hVSMCs through interfering into the internalization pathway of IGF2R-IGFII.

PDGF-induced Proliferation of Smooth Muscular Cells Is Related to the Regulation of CREB Phosphorylation and Nur77 Expression

This study examined the relationship between PDGF-induced proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells （VSMCs） and Nur77 expression and the effect of atorvastatin on VSMC proliferation and Nur77 in PDGF-treated VSMCs. Rat VSMCs were isolated and cultured. After incubation with atorvastatin or Nur77 siRNA, the cells were stimulated with PDGF and detected for BrdU incorporation to measure the proliferation of the VSMCs. Quantitative PCR and Western blotting were used to determine the Nur77 protein and the CREB phosphorylation level, to observe their relations with PDGF-induced VSMC proliferation. Our results showed that PDGF increased the BrdU incorporation in VSMCs, suggesting that it induced the proliferation of the cells. The VSMC proliferation was associated with increased Nur77 expression and elevated CREB phosphorylation. Atorvastatin inhibited the PDGF-induced VSMC proliferation, suppressed Nur77 expression. After silencing of Nur77 gene, the PDGF-induced VSMC proliferation was decreased. It was concluded that PDGF-induced VSMC proliferation was related to the Nur77 expression and CREB phosphorylation. Atorvastatin reduced the Nur77 expression and, at the same time, inhibited the VSMC proliferation.

Influence of Stent Implantation on the Expression of PCNA and Apoptosis in Injured Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Objectives To evaluate the impact of stent implantation on proliferation and apop-tosis in injured media vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and to explore the mechanism of restenosis after stent implantation. Methods Fifty male New Zealand rabbits were randomized into two groups, including balloon group and stent group. Control group was set up. The samples were harvested on 3, 7, 14, 28, 56 days after operation and the following investigation was carried out: (1) Assessing the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) of media VSMC by the method of immunohistochemistry; (2) Analyzing apoptosis of media VSMC by DNA agarose gel electrophoresis and TUNEL technique. Results The expression of PCNA and apoptosis in stent and balloon groups were markedly increased compared with control groups. (1) Stent group induced significant increased expression of PCNA in the media VSMC compared with balloon group on 3 to 28 days. On day 7, the positive rates of PCNA were 24. 36±0. 55 % vs 18. 74±1. 09 % ( P < 0. 01 ); (2) From 3 to 28 days, stent group appeared obvious DNA ladder, while balloon group only had little trace ; (3) TUNEL method showed that stent group induced much more significant apoptosis than that of balloon group on 3 to 28 days. The highest rate of apoptosis appeared on day 7: 12. 42 ±1.13% vs 5. 54±0.53% (P<0. 01); (4) By calculating the ratio of the positive rate of PCNA to apoptosis, it showed that on 3 to 28 days, the ratio of balloon group was higher than that of stent group. There was obvious difference between two groups. Conclusions Stent group induces augmented proliferation and much more significant apoptosis of media VSMC than that of balloon group. It makes the ratio of proliferation to apotosis reduced and the severity of restenosis relieved after stent implantation.