Glycosylation-independent binding to extracellular domains 11-13 of mannose-6-phosphate/insulin-like growth factor-2 receptor mediates the effects of soluble CREG on the phenotypic proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells

Background The present study aimed to investigate the detailed mode and specific sites for their binding as well as the functional relevance of this binding in the phenotypic proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells(SMCs). Methods CREG knocked-down SMCs were employed to evaluate the biological activity of wtCREG and mCREG.Expressions of SMC differentiation markers SM myosin heavy chain(SM-MHC),SM-actin,heavy caldesmon and myocardin were determined by Western blotting using specific antibodies. Cellular growth of SMCs was assessed by bromide dewuridine (BrdU) incorporation and cell cycle analysis on fluorescence-activated cell sorting(FACS).A solid-phase binding assay was used to study the binding of CREG to extracellular domains of M6P/IGF2R.The cellular co-localization of the two recombinant CREGs with M6P/IGF2R was detected on SMC surface by immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence analysis.Results The molecular weight of wtCREG was around 30 kD while that of the mCREG was～25 kD.Treatment of wtCREG with PNGase F reduced its molecular weight from～30 kD to～25 kD,whereas PNGase F treatment had no effect on the molecular weight of mCREG.Both wtCREG and mCREG proteins enhanced SMC differentiation,inhibited BrdU incorporation,and arrested cell cycle progression when added to the culture medium.In CREG knocked-down SMCs,the amount of CREG detected by immunoblotting in M6P/IGF2R immunoprecipitates was significantly reduced when compared to normal cells.Both recombinant CREGs co-immunoprecipitated with M6P/IGF2R, although slightly reduced amount of the mutant CREG was detected in M6P/IGF2R immunoprecipitates.Immunostaining revealed that His-tagged CREGs co-localized with IGF2R on the cell surface in a glycosylation-independent manner.In vitro binding assay showed that CREGs bound to M6P/ IGF2R extracellular domains 7-10 and 11-13 in a glycosylation -dependent and -independent manner,respectively.Further blocking experiments using soluble M6P/IGF2R fragments and M6P/IGF2R neutralizing antibody indicated that the biological activities of recombinant CREGs in SMC growth and the up-regulation of SMC differentiation markers were all abolished by treatment with the M6P/IGF2R neutralizing antibody. However,although the growth inhibitory effect of wtCREG was nearly abolished by D7-10 or D11-13,the effect of mCREG was only reversed by Dll-13,indicating that the binding to domains 11-13 is required for CREG to modulate the proliferation of SMCs.Conclusions These data suggest that solubleCREG proteins can exert their biological function via binding to the extracellular domains 7-10 and 11-13 of cell surface M6P/IGF2R in both a glycosylation-dependent and -independent manner.

Valsartan Inhibits Angiotensin Ⅱ-induced Proliferation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells via Regulating the Expression of Mitofusin 2

Angiotensin Ⅱ (ANGⅡ) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis by inducing proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).In our study,we observed the effects of valsartan on proliferation of cultured VSMCs treated with or without ANGⅡ by cell counting and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay,and detected the expression of mitofusin 2 (Mfn2),a newly discovered cell proliferation inhibitor and a related cell proliferation signaling pathway pro-tein by Western blotting.ANGⅡ at a concentration of 10-6 mol/L significantly stimulated VSMCs proliferation,down-regulated the expression of Mfn2 and upregulated the expression of Raf and ERK1/2.Valsartan inhibited such effects of ANGⅡ at concentrations of 10-5 and 10-6 mol/L,but not at 10-7 mol/L.Valsartan had no significant effect on the proliferation of untreated VSMCs.These results suggest that valsartan inhibits ANGⅡ-induced proliferation of VSMCs in vitro via Mfn2-Ras-Raf-ERK/MAPK signaling pathway.

Eukaryotic Expression of Human Arresten Gene and Its Effect on the Proliferation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

The eukaryotic expression of human arresten gene and its effect on the proliferation of in vitro cultured vascular smooth cells （VSMCs） in vitro were investigated. COS-7 cells were transfected with recombinant eukaryotic expression plasmid pSecTag2-AT or control plasmid pSecTag2 mediated by liposome. Forty-eight h after transfection, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） was used to detect the expression of arresten mRNA in the cells, while Western blot assay was applied to detect the expression of arresten protein in concentrated supernatant. Primary VSMCs from thoracic aorta of male Sprague-Dawley rats were cultured using the tissue explant method, and identified by immunohistochemical staining with a smooth muscle-specific anti-α- actin monoclonal antibody before serial subcuhivation. VSMCs were then co-cultured with the concentrated supernatant and their proliferation was detected using Cell Counting Kit-8 （CCK-8） in vitro. The results showed that RT-PCR revealed that the genome of arresten-transfected cells contained a 449 bp specific fragment of arresten gene, suggesting the successful transfection. Success- ful protein expression in supernatants was confirmed by Western blot. CCK-8 assay showed that the proliferation of VSMCs were inhibited significantly by arresten protein as compared with control cells （F=40. 154, P〈0.01）. It was concluded that arresten protein expressed in eukaryotic cells can inhibit proliferation of VSMCs effectively in vitro, which would provide possibility to the animal experiments.

Effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells in rats

Objective： To investigate the inhibitory effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester（CAPE） on the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells （VSMC） activated by lipopolysaccharide （LPS） and to clarify its mechanism. Methods： VSMC activated by LPS （1 mg-L^-1） were treated with CAPE at different concentrations. The inhibitory effecfs of CAPE on the proliferation of VSMC were determined by methabenzthiazuron（MTT） colorimetry. The effects of CAPE on the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA） and Survivin protein in VSMC were evaluated by immunocytochemistry staining technique （SABC method）. Cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry（FCM） with propidiumiodide （PI） labeling method. The relative expression level of Survivin mRNA was measured with real-time quantified RT-PCR technique. Results. CAPE exerted significant inhibitory effects on. proliferation of VSMC at concentrations ranging from 5 mg·L^-1 to 80 mg·L^-1, decreased the rate of cells positive for PCNA and Survivin protein and repressed the expressioh of Survivin mRNA in a dose- and time-dependent manner （P 〈 0.05）. FCM analysis displayed that CAPE up-regulated the ratio of G0/G1 stages and reduced the percentage of VSMC in S stage （P 〈 0.05）. Conclusion： CAPE can significantly inhibit the proliferation of VSMC activated by LPS in a dose- and time-dependent manner, which may be carded out through regulating cell cycle and repressing the expression of PCNA and Survivin.

Effect of hammerhead ribozyme that specifically cleaves c-myc mRNA on proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells

Ojective: To investigate the effect of hammerhead ribozyme that specifically cleaves c-myc mRNA on the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs ). Methods: Based on the computer analysis of the secondary structure of c-myc mRNA, nt 2029 in rat c-myc oncogene was selected as a cleaving site for hammerhead ribozyme and the ribozyme was designed. With automatic DNA synthesizer, the two complementary DNA strands of the ribozyme were synthesized. The ribozyme gene was cloned into pGEM3Zf ( + ) vector and subcloned into eukaryotic expression pcD-NA3 vector. The recombinant pcDNA-Rz was transfected into the cultured rat VSMCs by lipofectAMINE mediated DNA transfection protocol and individual cell clones were selected by G418. Results: The sequence of ribozyme gene inserted in pGEMSZf ( + ) vector was proved to be perfectly correct. In VSMCs transfected with recombinant pcDNA-Rz, flow cytometry analysis showed that the S phase and G2/M fractions were decreased significantly and cell proliferation stagnated in the G0/G1 phase. Conclusion: The results suggest that hammerhead ribozyme that specifically cleaves c-myc mRNA can significantly inhibit the proliferation of VSMCs.

Effect of ^(125)I seeds and ^(103)Pd stents on proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells

This study aims at the theoretical and practical evidence for prevention of restenosis in vitro.Vascular smooth muscle cell(VSMC)model was established using adherent cell culture methods.The proliferation of VSMC was investigated by the cell counting method and 3H-TDR implementation test.The results are as follows.(1) For ^125I-seeds,the inhibition rate was 29.3% at 74B1(P<0.05),35.2% at 148Bq(P<0.05)and 42.4% at 370Bq(P<0.05),For ^103Pd-implanted stents,the inhibition rate was 14.7% at 4.44MBq(P<0.05),24.0% at 5.92MBq(P<0.05) and 38.0%at 7.4MBq(p<0.05),There was no significant difference between the blank tests and non-radioactive tests.(2) 48 hours exposure from ^125I-seeds at 148Bq or ^103Pd-implanted stents at 7.4MBq did not result in VSMC's morphological alteration,but that from ^125I-seeds at 370Bq caused morphological changes,Both ^125I-seeds and ^103Pd0-implanted stents inhibit the VSMC DNA synthesis in vitro.The inhibition effects are significantly related to their exposure duration and doses.

Effect of Aloe Emodin on Proliferation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells after Arterial Injury

Objective: To study the effect of Aloe emodin (AE), an active ingredient of Rhubarb,on the kinetics of proliferation of smooth muscular cells (SMCs) cultured in vitro after rabbit iliac arterial injury. Methods: Forty-eight hours after de-endothelialization (balloon endothelial denudation), the iliac arteries of the Japanese white rabbits were isolated and the smooth muscle cells were cultured primarily.AE was added to culture medium containing 10% fetal calf serum (FCS ). The cultures were pulse-labeled with 3H-TdR and TdR uptake into VSMC were measured and the cell cycle of the cultures were analyzed by using flow cytometer. Results: Compared with control, when the concentration gradient ranged from 10 - 1 to 10-5 g/L, the amount (cpm,count per minute) of 3H-TdR uptake into SMCs has significant differences (P < 0. 05 )and 10 -1 and 10 -2 g/L AE showed strong inhibitory effects on TdR uptake into VSMC and the percentage of inhibition [% inhibition =(cpm without AE-cpm with AE)/cpm without AE] was more than 90%. AE displayed concentration dependent inhibitory effects. The percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase was increased, but the percentage of cells in S phase was decreased in AE group, the transition of SMC cycle phase from G0 to S was blocked.Conclusion: AE is a strong inhibitor to the proliferation of SMCs and the pharmacological action of AE may reduce SMC proliferation in vivo and decrease intimal hyperplasia of restenosis.Original article on CJIM(Chin) 1998; 18(7): 420

Effect of Intravascular Irradiation on Intimal Smooth Muscle Cells Proliferation and Apoptosis in Balloon Injuried Arteries

Objective: To investigate the effect of intravascular in radiation on thearterial wall smooth muscle cells (SMCs) proliferation and apoptosis after iliac artery bollominjury in figs. Methods: Twenty-seven miniature figs were divided into three groups. All pigsunderwent iliac artery balloon over-stretch. An^(192) Ir source through afterloader was positionedat the injuried segments to give 10 Gy in 9 pigs and 20 Gy in the other 9 pigs, and the rest 9 pigswere, used as control group. The pigs were killed on the 3rd, 10th and 28th days respectively forobservation. The injured segments were processed to examine SMCs proliferation by proliferation cellnuclear antigen (PCNA) and apopto-sis by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTPnick-end labeling (TUNEL). Results: PC-NA index analysis has some that SMCs proliferation inneointima was significantly inhibited in irradiation group on the 10th and 28th days. The value forintimal SMCs apoptosis in control vs 10 Gy and 20 Gy irradiation groups were: (1. 185+-0. 49)% vs(2. 27+-0. 49)%(P>0. 05) and (1. 85+-0. 49)% vs (2. 53+-0. 45)%(P<0. 05), at the 10th day; (1.61+-0. 35)% vs (3. 11+-0. 51)%(P<0. 05), and (1.61+-0. 35)% vs (7. 05+-1. 82)% (P<0. 05), on the28th day. In irradiated arteries, the maximal incidence of intimal SMCs apoptosis was (7. 05+--1.82)% in 20 Gy group vs (3. 11+-0. 51)% in 10 Gy group (P<0. 05), on the 28th day. In the same doseirradiation group, the incidence of intimal SMCs apoptosis was higher on the 28th day than that onthe 10th day. Conclusion: Intra-arterial gamma irradiation can inhibit intimal SMCs proliferationand stimulate SMCs apoptosis in balloon-in jured arteries. These may be contributive to preventionof restenosis of arteries after balloon injury.

Influence of Osteopontin Short Hairpin RNA on the Proliferation and Activity of Rat Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

To investigate the influence of osteopontin （OPN） short hairpin RNA （shRNA） on the proliferation and activity of rat vascular smooth muscle cells （VSMCs）, the expressing vector of shRNA targeting OPN was constructed and transferred into the rat VSMCs. After amplification and purification, pGenesil-1/OPNshRNA1 （PG1）, pGenesil-1/OPNshRNA2 （PG2） and pGenesil-1/OPNshRNAHK （PGH） were transfected into the cultured rat VSMC by LipofectamineTM 2000. Transfected cells were visualized by using an inverted fluorescent microscope. VSMCs transfected by optimal recombined plasmid was selected by culturing in G418 48 h later. Nude cells and cells transfected by PGH were used as control. The expression levels of OPN mRNA and protein were assayed by RT-PCR and Western blotting. The OPN of VSMCs was suppressed by transfection of optimal recombined plasmid, and the changes in cell proliferation, adhesion and motility were evaluated by MTT, adhesion test and transwell chamber test. Levels of type I and Ⅲ collagen were measured with ELISA kit. Our results showed that VSMCs stably transfected by OPN shRNA accounted for over 50% of total cells. OPN mRNA and protein were reduced by 81% and 67% （P〈0.01） by PG1, 73% and 52% （P〈0.01） by PG2, respectively while no change was found in PGH and non-treated VSMCs. PG1 significantly suppressed the proliferation, adhesion, mobility of VSMCs and reduced the amount of type Ⅰ and Ⅲ collagen. It is concluded that recombinant plasmid can be success-fully transfected into VSMCs by LipofectamineTM 2000 and inhibit the expression of OPN. The proliferation, adhesion and mobility of VSMCs can be inhibited by knocking down OPN expression. Moreover, the transferring capability of cells is attenuated, and the secretion of type Ⅰ and Ⅲ collagen is inhibited aftter knocking-down of OPN expression. The study provides experimental evidence for clinical prevention of restenosis after percutaneous coronary intervention （PCI） by RNA interference （RNAi） technology.

Inhibitory Effects of Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 on Inflammatory Cytokine Expression and Migration and Proliferation of IL-6/IFN-γ-induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Summary： The main pathogenesis of saphenous vein graft neointimal hyperplasia after coronary artery bypass grafting （CABG） is inflammation-caused migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells （VSMCs）. Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activators of transcription 3 （JAK2/STAT3） path- way is an important signaling pathway through which VSMCs phenotype conversion occurs. Suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 （SOCS3） is the classic negative feedback inhibitor of JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Growing studies show that SOCS3 plays an important anti-inflammatory role in numerous autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases and inflammation-related tumors. However, the effect and mechanism of SOCS3 on vein graft disease is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of SOCS3 on the inflammation, migration and proliferation of VSMCs in vitro and the mechanism. The small interference RNA plasmid targeting rat SOCS3 （SiRNA-rSOCS3） and the recombinant adenovirus vector carrying rat SOCS3 gene （pYrAd-rSOCS3） were constructed, and the empty plamid （SiRNA-control） and vector （pYrAd-GFP） only carrying GFP reported gene were constructed as control. The rat VSMCs were cultured. There were two large groups of A （SOCS3 up-regulated）： control group, IL-6/IFN-γ group, IL-6/IFN-γ＋pYrAd-rSOCS3 group, IL-6/IFN-γ＋pYrAd-GFP group; and B （SOCS3 down-regulated）： control group, IL-6/IFN-γ group, IL-6/IFN-γ＋SiRNA-rSOCS3 group and IL-6/IFN -T＋SiRNA-control group. The pYrAd-rSOCS3 and SiRNA-rSOCS3 were transfected into VSMCs in- duced by IL-6/IFN-γ. After 24 h, real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR） and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of SOCS3, STAT3 （only by Western blotting）, P-STAT3 （only by Western blotting）, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, MCP-1 and ICAM-1. The MTT, Transwell assay and flow cytometry were used to examine VSMCs proliferation, migration and cell cycle progression, respectively. As compared with control group, the mRNA and protein expression of SOCS3, STAT3, P-STAT3, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, MCP-1 and ICAM-1 was significantly up-regulated in VSMCs stimulated by IL-6/IFN-γ. However, in VSMCs transfected with pYrAd-rSOCS3 before stimulation with IL-6/IFN-γ, the expression of SOCS3 mRNA and protein was further up-regulated, and that of STAT3, P-STAT3, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, MCP-1 and ICAM-1 was significantly down-regulated as compared with IL-6/IFN-γ group and IL-6/IFN-γ＋pYrAd-GFP group. The expression of those re- lated-cytokines in IL-6/IFN-γ＋SiRNA-rSOCS3 group was markedly increased as compared with IL-6/IFN-γ group and IL-6/IFN-γ＋SiRNA-control group. The absorbance （A） values, the number of cells migrating to the lower chamber, and percentage of cells in the G2/M＋S phase were increased in VSMCs stimulated by IL-6/IFN-γ. In VSMCs incubated with pYrAd-rSOCS3 or SiRNA-rSOCS3 be- fore IL-6/IFN-γ stimulation, the A values, the number of cells migrating to the lower chamber, and the percentage of cells in the G2/M＋S phase were significantly decreased, and increased respectively. These results imply that IL-6/IFN-γ, strong inflammatory stimulators, can promote transformation of VSMCs phenotype form a quiescent contractile state to a synthetic state by activating JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Over-expresssed SOCS3 might inhibit pro-inflammatory effect, migration and growth of VSMCs by blocking STAT3 activation and phosphorylation. These data in vitro confirm that SOCS3 may play a negatively regulatory role in development and progression of vein graft failure. These conclusions can provide a novel strategy for clinical treatment of vein graft diseases and a new theoretic clue for related drug development.

Glycation of high-density lipoprotein triggers oxidative stress and promotes the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells

Background In type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM）, high-density lipoprotein （HDL） impairs its anti-atherogenic properties and even develops to a pro-inflammatory and pro-atherogenic phenotype because of abnormal compositions and modifications. In this study, we ex- amined the effects and the related mechanisms of glycation of HDL on the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells （VSMCs）. Methods ＆ Results Glycated HDL （G-HDL） was modified with D-glucose （25 mmol/L） in vitro. Diabetic HDL （D-HDL） was isolated from T2DM patients. Rat VSMCs were isolated from the thoracic aortas. Human VSMCs were obtained from ScienCell Research Laboratories. Alpha-actin was detected through immunofiuorescence. VSMC proliferation was assayed by Cell Count. VSMC migration was determined by transwell chamber and scratch-wound assay. Intracellular reactive oxygen species （ROS） was detected based on ROS-medi- ated 2＇,7＇-dichlorofluorescein （DCFH-DA） fluorescence. Compared to native HDL （N-HDL）, G-HDL remarkably promoted VSMC prolif- eration and migration in the dose and time-dependent manners. In addition, G-HDL enhanced ROS generation in VSMCs. However, the ROS scavenger, N-acetylcysteine, efficiently decreased ROS production and subsequently inhibited the proliferation of VSMCs induced by G-HDL. Similarly, D-HDL from T2DM patients also promoted ROS release and VSMC proliferation and migration. Conclusions HDL either glycated in vitro or isolated from T2DM patients triggered VSMC proliferation, migration, and oxidative stress. These results might partly interpret the higher morbidity of cardiovascular disease in T2DM patients.

Cell cycle regulator geminin is dispensable for the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells

The proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs) plays a major role in the pathogenesis of many cardiovascular diseases.Geminin regulates DNA replication and cell cycle progression and plays a key role in the proliferation of cancer cells.We therefore hypothesized that geminin regulates the proliferation of VSMCs.The present study demonstrates that the level of geminin expression was low in quiescent VSMCs(approximately 90% and 10% of cells in the G1 and in S/G2/M phases of the cell cycle,respectively),increased as more cells entered in S/G2/M,and then decreased as cells exited S/G2/M.Further,angiotensin II and norepinephrine stimulated expression of geminin in VSMCs.However,the DNA content,nuclear morphology,percentage of cells at different stages of the cell cycle,and rate of proliferation of VSMCs from which geminin was either depleted or overexpressed were all similar.These findings indicate geminin functions differently in VSMCs than it does in cancer cell lines and that it may provide a target for treating cancers without affecting normal cells.

Effect of Endothelin, Angiotensin Ⅱ and ANP on Proliferation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Cardiomyocytes

By means of cell culture, ~3H-thymidine (~2H-TdR) incorporation and c-fos oncogene dot plotting technique, it was found that endothelin (ET) and angiotensin (ANG Ⅱ) could promote proliferation and DNA synthesis of cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and myocardial cells, and stimulate expression of c-fos oncogene of VSMCs. However, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) antagonizes the above effects of ET and ANG Ⅱ.

Inhibitory Effects of 2,3,4',5-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside on Angiotensin Ⅱ-Induced Proliferation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Objective：To investigate the effect of 2,3,4’,5-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-0- p-D-glucoside（TSG）,an active component extracted from the root of Polygonum multiflorum,on angiotensin Ⅱ（Ang Ⅱ）-induced proliferation of cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells（VSMCs） and to identify the potential mechanism.Methods：Cell proliferation and cell cycle were determined by cell counting,5-bromo-2’-deoxyuridine incorporation assay,proliferating cell nuclear antigen protein expression and flow cytometry.Levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2（ERK1/2）,mitogenic extracellular kinase 1/2（MEK1/2） and Src in VSMCs were measured by Western blot.The expression of c-fos,c-jun and c-myc mRNA were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction（RT-PCR）.Intracellular reactive oxygen species（ROS） was measured by fluorescence assay.Results：TSG significantly inhibited Ang Ⅱ-induced VSMCs proliferation and arrested cells in the G1/S checkpoint（P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）.TSG decreased the levels of phosphorylated ERK1/2,MEK1/2 and Src in VSMCs（P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）.TSG also suppressed c-fos,c-jun and c-myc mRNA expression（P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）.In addition,the intracellular ROS was reduced by TSG（P〈0.01）.Conclusions：TSG inhibited Ang Ⅱ-induced VSMCs proliferation.Its antiproliferative effect might be associated with down-regulation of intracellular ROS,followed by the suppression of the Src-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 signal pathway,and hence,blocking cell cycle progression.

Parthenolide inhibits proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells through induction of G_0/G_1 phase cell cycle arrest

Objective： This study is to determine the effect of the natural product parthenolide, a sesquiterpene lactone isolated from extracts of the herb Tanacetum parthenium, on the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells （VSMCs）. Methods： Rat aortic VSMCs were isolated and cultured in vitro, and treated with different concentrations ofparthenolide （l 0, 20 and 30 μmol/L）. [^3H]thymidine incorporation was used as an index of cell proliferation. Cell cycle progression and distribution were determined by flow cytometric analysis. Furthermore, the expression of several regulatory proteins relevant to VSMC proliferation including IκBα, cyclooxygenase-2 （Cox-2）, p21, and p27 was examined to investigate the potential molecular mechanism. Results： Treatment with parthenolide significantly decreased the [^3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA by 30%-56% relative to control values in a dose-dependent manner （P〈0.05）. Addition of parthenolide also increased cell population at G0/G1 phase by 19.2%-65.7% （P〈0.05） and decreased cell population at S phase by 50.7%-84.8% （P〈0.05）, which is consistent with its stimulatory effects on p21 and p27. In addition, parthenolide also increased IκBα expression and reduced Cox-2 expression in a time-dependent manner. Conclusion： Our results show that parthenolide significantly inhibits the VSMC proliferation by inducing G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. IκBα and Cox-2 are likely involved in such inhibitory effect ofparthenolide on VSMC proliferation. These findings warrant further investigation on potential therapeutic implications ofparthenolide on VSMC proliferation in vivo.

Effect of LPS on the proliferation and viability of rat vascular smooth muscle cell in vitro

Objective: To investigate the effect of LPS on the proliferation and viability of rat vascular smoothmuscle cell in vitro. Methods: In cultured vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs) of SD rat, it was found that 1× 10 -1~1 × 10-5 g/ml LPS markedly stimulated the proliferation and DNA synthesis of VSMC in a dose--dependentmanner (P CO. 05). 5 × 10- 4-- 10 -3 g/ml LPS markedly inhibited the proliferation, DNA synthesis and viabilityof VSMC in a time--dependent manner (P <0. 01). N (--Nitro--L--Arginine (L--NNA )which could decrease theproduction of NO by inhibiting nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and antagonize the inhibitory effect of LPS. Thecontents of NO3, NO2 in medium were markedly increased in LPS group (P <0. 01), 48 h group vs 24 h groupincreased by 9. 1%, 72 h group vs 48 h group increased by 4. 5%. In high dose LPS group, positiveimmunohistochemical staining for inducible nitric oxide synthase was observed. Results:It was demonstrated thatlow dose LPS stimulated the proliferation and DNA synthesis of VSMC, while LPS at high dose markedly inhibitedthe proliferation, DNA synthesis and viability of VSMC. Conclusion: The inhibition of VSMC proliferationinduced by LPS is probably due to the increased release of NO by VSMC.

Inhibitory Effects of Roscovitine on Proliferation and Migration of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells In Vitro

Abnormal proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells （VSMCs） are the major cause of in-stent restenosis （ISR）. Intervention proliferation and migration of VSMCs is an im- portant strategy for antirestenotic therapy. Roscovitine, a second-generation cyclin-dependent kinase in- hibitor, can inhibit cell cycle of multiple cell types. We studied the effects of roscovitine on cell cycle distribution, proliferation and migration of VSMCs in vitro by flow cytometry, BrdU incorporation and wound healing assay, respectively. Our results showed that roscovitine increased the proportion of Go/G1 phase cells after 12 h （69.57±3.65 vs. 92.50±1.68, P=0.000）, 24 h （80.87±2.24 vs. 90.25±0.79, P=0.000） and 48 h （88.08±3.86 vs. 88.87±2.43, P=-0.427） as compared with control group. Roscovifine inhibited proliferation and migration of VSMCs in a concentration-dependent way. With the increase of concen- tration, roscovitine showed increased capacity for growth and migration inhibition. Roscovitine （30 μmol/L） led to an almost complete VSMCs growth and migration arrest. Combined with its low toxicity and selective inhibition to ISR-VSMCs, roscovitine may be a potential drug in the treatment of vascular stenosis diseases and particularly useful in the prevention and treatment of ISR.

Insulin induces PKC-dependent proliferation of mesenteric vascular smooth muscle cells from hypertensive patients

Background and objectives Proliferation of human vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs)induced by hyperinsulinemia is a very common clinical pathology.Extensive research has focused on PKC(Protein kinase C)-MAPK(mitogen-activated protein kinase)intracellular signal transduction and the phenotypic modulation accompanied by reorganization of intracellular F-actins in VSMCs.Methods DNA synthesis,signaling of ERK1/2 MAPKs,and changes inα-smooth muscle(SM)actin and F-actin were studied in hypertensive and normotensive human arterial VSMCs exposed to insulin and PMA with and without the PKC inhibitor,GF109203X.Results Differences among cell types in MAPK signaling,α-SM actin,and F-actin isoforms in VSMCs harvested from the arteries of patients with essential hypertension(EH)and normotension(NT)were identified in response to insulin treatment.Proliferation and activation of MAPK were more pronounced in EH VSMCs than in NEH VSMCs.Insulin exposure decreased expression ofα-SM actin and was accompanied by rearrangement of intracellular F-actins in VSMCs,especially in the EH group.These effects were reversed by treatment with the PKC inhibitor.Conclusions Human mesenteric VSMCs of EH and NT patients differed in proliferation,MAPK signaling,and degree of changes inα-SM actin and F-actin isoforms immediately following insulin exposure in vitro.

Increased serum TREM-1 level is associated with in-stent restenosis,and activation of TREM-1 promotes inflammation,proliferation and migration in vascular smooth muscle cells

Background and Objective In-stent restenosis(ISR)remains a major limitation of percutaneous coronary intervention despite improvements in stent design and pharmacological agents,whereas the mechanism of ISR has not been fully clarified.In the present study,we sought to investigate the potential association of serum soluble TREM-1(sTREM-1)levels with the incidence of ISR.The role of TREM-1 was evaluated in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs).