Inhibitory effect of Salidroside on the proliferation of rabbit pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells under hypoxia

AIM: To investigate the effect of Salidroside on the proliferation, DNA synthesis, intracellular Ca²⁺ content of rabbit PASMC (pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells) under hypoxia. METHODS: Techniques of cell culture, MTT test, [³H][³H][³H]-TdR incorporation, fluo-3 and confocal laser scanning microscopy were used. RESULTS: The A value of MTT and [³H][³H]-TdR incorporation of PASMC increased significantly by 62% (P＜0.05) and 138% (P＜0.01) after 24 h hypoxia. Salidroside (32×10^-5 mol/L) inhibited the action of hypoxia on the proliferation of PASMC, the A value of MTT and [³H][³H]-TdR incorporation declined significantly by 29% (P＜0.05) and 37% (P＜0.01) compared with hypoxia group. A calcium channel blocker, verapamil could also inhibit the accelerative effect of hypoxia on the proliferation of PASMC. The intracelluler Ca²⁺ content of PASMC raised markedly under hypoxia, but the effect of hypoxia on the intracelluler Ca²⁺ content could be inhibited by Salidroside. CONCLUSION: Salidroside inhibited the proliferation, DNA synthesis of PASMC induced by hypoxia. The inhibitory action of Salidroside on the increase in intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration under hypoxia might be one of the mechenisms.     

Effects of adrenomedullin on proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells induced by urotensin Ⅱ

AIM:To observe the effect of adrenomedullin(ADM)on proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMC) induced by urotensin Ⅱ(UⅡ). METHODS:DNA synthesis of cultured rat aortic VSMC was measured by [³H]-TdR incorporation. The activities of mitogen activated protein kinase(MAPK) were determined by isotope tagged with [γ-³²P]-ATP. RESULTS:UⅡ(10^-8mol/L) significantly increased [³H]-TdR incorporation of VSMC and MAPK activities by 38%(P＜0.05) and 260%(P＜0.01) respectively compared with control group. Compared with UⅡ group, 10^-10,10^-9,10^-8mol/L ADM decreased [³H]-TdR incorporation of VSMC by 7%(P＞0.05), 32%(P＜0.05)and 41%(P＜0.01),respectively, and diminished MAPK activities by 24%(P＞0.05), 32%(P＜0.05)and 36%(P＜0.05),respectively. CONCLUSION:ADM inhibits proliferation of VSMC induced by urotensin Ⅱ through inhibiting MAPK activation.     

Metallothionein inhibits rat vascular fibroblasts activation induced by homocysteine

AIM:To study the effects of exogenous metallothionein (MT) and ZnCl₂-induced MT production on biological action of homocysteine(HCY)in vascular fibroblasts.METHODS:[³H]-TdR, [³H]-Pro incorporation and LDH leakage were measured, the cellular viabilities were calculated by trypan blue exclusion test and the intracellular contents of MT were assayed by [¹⁰⁹Cd]-hemoglobin saturation method in cultured rat vascular fibroblasts.RESULTS:Proliferation, collagen production of vascular fibroblasts in HCY-treated group were significantly increased compared with control group in a concentration-depedant manner. HCY (500 μmol/L) increased LDH leakage and decreased the cellular viabilities (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01). [³H]-TdR incorporation, [³H]-Pro incorporation, collagen secretion and LDH leakage were all decreased in MT (1×10^-5 mol/L, 1×10^-4mol/L) plus HCY(500 μmol/L) incubated group, compared with HCY alone group, respectively (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01). MT content in ZnCl₂ pretreatment group was increased compared with control group. Proliferation, collagen production and LDH leakage in HCY group pretreated with ZnCl₂ were decreased whereas the cellular viabilities were increased compared with HCY alone group.CONCLUSIONS:The results shows that HCY induces proliferation and collagen production of vascular fibroblasts. Both exogenous MT and endogenous MT induced by ZnCl₂ inhibite the above-mentioned effects of HCY on vascular fibroblasts. MT inhibites vascular fibroblast activation induced by HCY, which may be related to its vascular protection.     

Inhibitory effect of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells

AIM:To explore the effects of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) on proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) stimulated by endothelin (ET-1, 10^-7mol/L) and mitrogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity in VSMCs.METHODS:Cultured VSMCs were divided into six groups: (1) control group, (2) serum group, (3) endothelin group, (4) NaHS groups, (5) serum+NaHS group, and (6) endothelin+NaHS group. VSMC proliferation was measured by[³H]-TdR incorporation and MAPK activity in VSMC was determined by radioactivity assay.RESULTS:ET-1 increased VSMC[³H]-TdR incorporation by 2.39 times (P＜0.01) and MAPK activity by 1.62 times(P＜0.01), as compared with control. H₂S (5×10^-5-5×10^-4mol/L) decreased VSMC[³H]-TdR incorporation and MAPK activity by 16.8%-37.4% and 7.4%-33.6%, respectively (P<0.05 or P＜0.01).CONCLUSION:This study demonstrates that H₂S inhibits ET-1-induced proliferation of VSMC, which might be mediated by the inhibition of MAPK.     

Effect of trichosanthes injection on expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen of vascular smooth muscle cell in rabbit

AIM: To observe the effect of thichosanthes injection on the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) of vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC). METHODS: The expression of PCNA of cultured rabbit aortic SMC was examined with LSAB immunohistochemical technique, and [³H]-thymidine( [³H]-TdR) incorporation data of SMC and the contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD), lipid peroxide (LPO), prostacyclin (PGI₂) and cyclic AMP (cAMP) in medium were simultaneously determined. RESULTS: Thichosanthes injection has an effects of increasing SOD activity, decreasing LPO, elevating PGI₂ and cAMP, reducing [³H]-TdR incorporation and expression of PCNA (all P＜0.05,P＜0.01). CONCLUSION: Thichosanthes could inhibit SMC proliferation.     

Taurine attenuated β-glycerophosphate-stimulated calcification in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells

AIM: To investigate the effect of taurine on calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).METHODS: Calcified VSMCs of rat in vitro were induced by β-glycerophosphate. Cellular calcium content, alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activities and [⁴⁵Ca]accumulation were measured. DNA synthesis were evaluated by [³H]-thymidine ( [³H]-TdR) incorporation. RESULTS: Calcium content, ALP activities and [⁴⁵Ca]uptake of calcified VSMCs stimulated by taurine (5-20 mmol/L) were greatly decreased in a concentration-dependent manner as compared with calcified group (P＜0.01). Taurine also inhibited the proliferation of calcified cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Cell countingz, [³H]-TdR incorporation of calcified cells stimulated by taurine were greatly decreased as compared with calcified VSMCs (P＜0.01). CONCLUSION: It was demonstrated that calcification of VSMCs may be alleviated by taurine.     

番茄E8启动子乙烯应答元件克隆及DNA序列分析

E8启动子是常用的番茄果实特异表达启动子之一，是指番茄E8基因5’侧翼近2．2kb的DNA序列。前人的研究表明，E8基因5’侧翼-2181～-1088区段的删除使E8基因表达量大幅度下降(仅为完整E8启动子的1／10)，同时该区段还是E8基因对乙烯应答的充分必要区域；这说明了该区段是E8基因表达调控的重要元件。     

Cyclosporine A suppresses the hypertrophic effect of neuropeptide Y in rat cardiomyocytes

AIM:To investigate the effect of cyclosporine A on rat cardiomyocyte hypertrophy caused by neuropeptide Y (NPY).METHODS:Cardiomyocytes of neonatal Wistar rats were cultured with NPY or NPY together with CsA. For assessing protein synthesis rate and c-jun mRNA expression in cardiomyocytes, the methods of [³H]-Leu incorporation and RT-PCR were used.RESULTS:(1) [³H]-Leu incorporation in cardiomyocytes: [³H]-Leu incorporation in NPY (10 nmol/L) group was higher than that in control group, but there were no distinct changes between two groups. To compare with control group, [³H]-Leu incorporation in NPY (100 nmol/L) group were increased significantly (P＜0.05). There was no significant change between control group and CsA group; (2) c-jun mRNA expression in cardiomyocytes: RT-PCR production of c-jun mRNA in NPY group was enhanced considerably compared with CsA group and control group (P＜0.01). There was no significant change between CsA group and control group.CONCLUSIONS:NPY can induce cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Cyclosporine A (inhibitor of CaN) can blunt the effect of NPY, suggesting that the Ca²⁺/CaM-dependent calcineurin (CaN) signaling pathway plays an important role in it.     

Effect of fibronectin on proliferation and collagen synthesis in cardiac fibroblasts from spontaneously hypertensive rats

AIM:To investigate the effects of fibronectin (FN) on the proliferation and collagen synthesis in cultured rat cardiac fibroblasts (CFb) derived from SHR (CFb_SHR) and WKY (CFb_WKY). METHODS:CFb derived from 12-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and WKY was cultured by outgrowth of tissue block. Cell proliferation of CFb was measured by cell number counting and[³H]-TdR incorporation using 24-well plates pre-coated with 5 μg/cm² of FN. Collagen synthesis was determined by [³H]-proline incorporation. RESULTS:As compared with control, the cell number of fibroblasts derived from SHR and WKY were significantly increased to 163.75% and 170.42% respectively after 72 h incubation with FN in the presence of 0.4% FCS from a intial cell density of 1×10⁴ cells/mL. DNA synthesis of CFb was markedly promoted by FN. FN induced an increased in [³H]-proline incorporation in both CFb_SHR and CFb_WKY. CONCLUSION:FN is able to promote cell proliferation and collagen synthesis of CFb derived both from SHR and WKY.     

The effect of homocysteine on airway smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts

AIM: To study the effect of homocysteine (HCY) on proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts and the effect of HCY on collagen prodution of airway fibroblasts. METHODS: [³H]-TdR incorpora- tion was measured in cultured airway smooth muscle cells. The [³H]-TdR and [³H]-proline incorporation were mea- sured in cultured airway fibroblasts. RESULTS: HCY induced proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts in a concentration - dependent manner. HCY also induced collagen production of airway fibroblasts in a concentration - dependent manner. The inhibitors of protein kinase C, H7 and polymyxin B, inhibited HCY - induced proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells. CONCLUSIONS: HCY induced proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts, HCY also induced collagen production of airway fibroblasts. The HCY - induced proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells may be related to the pathway of PKC signal transduction.     

Glutamate transport across blood brain barrier after transient global ischemia/reperfusion in rats

AIM: to study the change of glutamate(Glu) transport across blood brain barrier(BBB) in rat following forebrain ischemia/reperfusion. METHODS: BBB unidirectional transfer constant(K_i) for [³H]-Glu in rat hippocampus, cerebral cortex and striatum were determined after rats were subjected to cerebral ischemia 10 min (two-carotid occlusion plus hypovolemic hypotension) followed by 0.17, 2, 6 and 24 h of reperfusion. The recovery of [³H]-Glu in cerebrum was also determined after intracerebral injection of [³H]-Glu in another experiment. RESULTS: Compared with control rat brain, K_i for [³H]-Glu significantly(P＜0.05) decreased at 10 min cerebral ischemia followed by 0.17, 2 and 6 h of reperfusion. At 5 min after intracerebrally injecting [³H]-Glu, recovery of [³H]-Glu in control rat brain was 23.83%. The result indicted that there is a Glu efflux mechanism on BBB. This efflux was not significantly inhibited by pretreatment of 200 mg/L probenecid. After 10 min cerebral ischemia followed by 2 h of reperfusion, the recovery(13.13%) was significantly lower than contro(P＜0.05), its recovery was only 55% of the control. The result indicated that cerebral ischemia/reperfusion may enhanced the efflux of [³H]-Glu from brain. CONCLUSION: Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion significantly reduced Glu BBB transport from plasma to brain and enhanced efflux of Glu from brain.     

Responsiveness of the T-lymphocyte in peripheral blood from asthmatic patients to VIP

AIM: To investigate the functional state of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptor on T-lymphocyte (T-cell)from asthmatics. METHODS: T-cells were purified from peripheral blood of asthmatics in remission and control subjects. Proliferation of T-cells was measured by [³H][³H]-TdR incorporation rate. The cAMP level in T-cells was assayed with radioimmunoassay method. We observed the influence of VIP on Con A-induced proliferation of T-cells, and cAMP level in T-cells in asthmatic and control groups. RESULTS: There was no difference in Con A-induced proliferation of T-cells between the two groups (P＞0.05). VIP, however, could inhibit the Con A-induced proliferation of T-cells from control subjects more significantly than that from asthmatics (P＜0.01). There was no difference in cAMP level in the unstimulated T-cells between the two groups (P＞0.05). The cAMP level in T-cells, however, increased more significantly in the control group than that in the asthmatic group after the treatment of VIP or NaF (P＜0.01,respectively). Adenylcyclase stimulator (forskolin)-treatment had no effect on the cAMP level in T-cells from the two groups (P＞0.05). CONCLUSION: Inhibition effect of VIP on Con A-induced proliferation of T-cells was less in asthmatics than in control subjects, which may be related to insufficiency of Gs α coupled VIP receptor on T-lymphocytes in asthmatics.     

Role of leukotriene D4 in promoting proliferation of cultured human airway smooth muscle cells

AIM: To investigate whether leukotriene D₄(LTD₄) would stimulates proliferation of cultured human airway smooth muscle (ASMC). METHOD: Human ASMC were isolated and subcultured, varying concentration of LTD₄ were added to the media. Cell counts were obtained, -thymidine([³H]-TdR) incorporation and inositol 1, 4, 5-trisphosphate (IP₃) accumulation were measured. RESULTS: LTD₄(0.1nmol·L^-1~10 nmol·L^-1) increased cell number and also increased incorporation of[³H]-TdR and accumulation of IP₃ in a concentration dependent manner(P＜0.01). The latter response was blocked by phospholipase C inhibition with neomycin (1 μmoL·L^-1(P＜0.01). However, neomycin had no effect on the promitogenic action of LTD₄. CONCLUSION: LTD₄ stimulates proliferation of cultured human ASMC and may play a role in airway remodeling of asthma.     

Yangxue qingnao-containing serum inhibits rat vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation induced by lysophosphatidic acid

AIM: To observe the effects of Yangxue qingnao-containing serum on rat vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation induced by lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). METHODS: The [³H]-TdR incorporation and mitogen-activated protein kinasc (MAPK) activity were measured in cultured VSMC. End product of lipid peroxidation-MDA levels were also detected. RESULTS: 1×10^－9,1×10^－8 and 1×10^－7 mol/L LPA enhanced the cultured VSMC [³H]-TdR incorporation, increased MAPK activity and MDA content in a concentration-dependent manner. 5％, 10％ and 15％ Yangxue qingnao-containing serum concentration-dependently inhibited the increase in VSMC [³H]-TdR incorporation, MAPK activity and MDA content induced by LPA. CONCLUSIONS: LPA has a stimulating effect on VSMC proliferation. The LPA-induced intracellular signal transduction may be related to MAPK activity. Yangxue-qingnao can efficiently inhibit LPA -induced VSMC proliferation,MAPK activity and lipid peroxidation.     

Effects of simvastatin on PDGF-BB and serum-induced proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells and on the expression of tumor suppressor gene PTEN

AIM:To observe the effect of simvastatin on the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs) induced by serum and growth factor PDGF-BB and the effect of simvastatin on the expression of PTEN,a important regulator of G₁/S cell cycle transition. METHODS:The DNA synthesis was determined by [³H]-TdR incorporation, cell cycle was examined with flow cytometry, the protein level of PTEN was measured by Western blot method. RESULTS: (1)Simvastatin inhibited [³H]-TdR incorporation in a dose dependent manner. (2) Flow cytometric DNA analysis revealed that simvastatin induced significantly enhancement of G₀/G₁ phase and decrease in S phase VSMCs.(3)Simvastatin increased protein level of PTEN and mevalonate, a metabolite of HMG-COA, reversed the effect of simvastatin on PTEN protein expression. CONCLUSION:Simvastatin may inhibit proliferation of VSMCs and retarded cell cycle in G₀/G₁ phase by increasing PTEN expression through inhibiting synthesis of mevalonate.     

Effects of platelet-derived growth factor on DNA and collagen protein synthesis in human vascular fibroblasts

AIM: To investigate the effects of platelet-derived growth factor on DNA and collagen protein synthesis in human vascular fibroblasts. METHODS: In the present experiment, the human vascular fibroblasts were cultured and effects of platelet-derived growth factor-BB on DNA and collagen protein synthesis in human vascular fibroblasts were observed by using [³H]-TdR incorporation and [³H]-proline incorporation in vitro. RESULTS: Platelet-derived growth factor-BB significantly promoted NDA synthesis and collagen protein synthesis of quiescent human vascular fibroblasts, with a maximal response at a concentration of 30μg·L^-1at 24 h and 36 h, respectively. CONCLUSION: Platelet-derived growth factor-BB promotes DNA and collagen protein synthesis in cultured human vascular fibroblasts.     

Effects of β3 integrin on adhesion and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells induced by growth factor

AIM: To investigate the effect of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) on β₃ integrin gene expression and the role of β₃ integrin on adhesion, migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) induced by PDGF. METHODS: β₃ integxin gene expression was detected by RT-PCr. After β₃ integrin extracellular do-main was blocks, VSMC adhesio, migration and proliferation were measured by adhesion assay awound-culture model an [³H]-TSR incorporation respectively.RESULTS: After the interaction between β₃ integrin and extracellular matrix was blocked, VSMC proliferation was inhibited in some degree and the rate of [³H]-TdR incorporation into VSMC decreased 39%. The cell adhesion and migration were significantly inhibited when 10 mg/L anti-β₃ integrin antibody was added (P＜0.05). When VSMC were treated by PDGF for 6 hours, the expression of β₃ integrin gene was 87% higher than that of control. CONCLUSION: PDGF significantly induces expression of β₃ integrin gene in VSMC, and the interaction between β₃ integrin and ECM protein may play an important role in VSMC adhesion and migration.     

Effect of urotensin II on cultured pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells of rabbits

AIM: The effect of urotensin II (U-II) on proliferation of cultured pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) of rabbits and its mechanism are investigated. METHODS: PASMCs were isolated using explant technique. RPASMCs were incubated in serum-free medium with different concentrations of nicardipine, calcimodulin antagonist W₇, PKC inhibitor H₇ or MAPK inhibitor (PD₉₈₀₅₉), with or without U-II. RPASMC proliferation was examined by MTT assay and by the increase in [³H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA. RESULTS: U-II (10^-9 mol/L-10^-7 mol/L) increased A value of PASMCs by MTT assay and [³H]-thymidine incorporation in PASMCs in a dose-dependent manner. U-II induced a maximal effect at a concentration of 10^-7 mol/L. A value and [³H]-thymidine incorporation rose 42.9% and 68.5% (P<0.05), respectively. U-II had no effect at a concentration of 10^-10 mol/L. Nicardipine, W₇, H₇, PD₉₈₀₅₉ (10^-7 mol/L-10^-5 mol/L) inhibited the effect of U-II in inducing increase of A value and -thymidine incorporation in a dose-dependent manner, with the maximal inhibitory rate of 42.3%, 19.6%, 23.2%, 10.5% (P<0.05) in A value and 46.6%, 9.8%, 21.7%, 14.7% (P<0.05) in [³H]-thymidine incorporation at concentration of 10^-5 mol/L, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that U-II may induce proliferation of PASMCs of rabbits by Ca²⁺, CaM, PKC and MAPK signal transduction pathway.     

Role and regulation of calcineurin in angiotensin Ⅱ-stimulated cardiac myocyte hypertrophy of rats

AIM: To study the role and regulation of calcineurin(CaN) in angiotensin II(AngⅡ)-stimulated cardiacmyocyte hypertrophy of rats. METHODS: Using AngⅡ to induce the cultured cardiac myocyte hypertrophy of rats, and investigating the effect of CaN inhibitor on [³H]-leucine incorporation of AngⅡ-stimulated cardiomyocytes and the regulation of various factors on CaN activity in cardiomyocytes.RESULTS: AngⅡ can stimulate the CaN activity in cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In cardiac myocytes incubated with 10, 100, 1000 nmol·L^-1 of AngⅡ for 12h, the CaN activities increased respectively by 13%,57%(P＜0.05) and 228%(P＜0.01) compared with that in non-stimulated cardiomyocytes. The CaN activities in AngⅡ-stimulated cardiomyocytes were significantly inhibited by losartan(50 μmol·L^-1), H₇(50 μmol·L^-1)and Fura-2/AM(4 μmol·L^-1),while no effect was observed with PD98059(50 μmol·L^-1).The [³H]-leucine incorporation in AngⅡ-stimulated cardiomyocytes increased by 46%(P＜0.01) compared with that in control group, which was dramatically inhibited by cyclosporin A(0.5~5μg/mL). CONCLUSIONS: Calcineurin, a Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase, may play an important role in AngⅡ-induced cardiac myocyte hypertrophy. The activation of CaN may dependent on the sustained increases of [Ca²⁺]i and be regulated by some protein kinases (such as PKC,etc.).     

Effects of three kinds of calcium activator on the proliferation of cultured vascular smooth muscle cells in rats

AIM: To investigate the effects of intracellular free calcium ([Ca²⁺]i) from different resources on the proliferation mediated by mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). METHODS: Cultured VSMCs were used in all experiments. Calcium influx was stimulated by angiotension Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ). The release of intracellular calcium stores was induced by inositol trisphosphate (IP₃) and ryanodine (RY). MAPK activity was measured by [γ-³²P]-ATP incorporation MAPK protein expression by western blot, VSMCs proliferation by [³H]-Leucine ([³H]-Leu) and [³H]-Thymidine ([³H]-TdR) incorporation. RESULTS: Compared to the control VSMCs, Ang Ⅱ, IP₃ and RY significantly increased [Ca²⁺]i concentration activity of MAPK and its protein content in VSMCs. The promotion of [³H]-Leu and [³H]-TdR incorporation in VSMCs was also observed (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The study indicated that calcium activator-induced increase in the activity and protein content of MAPK was involved in the proliferation of VSMCs, which was closely related to the [Ca²⁺]i concentration but independent to its origin.