Effect of adenoviral vector containing AT1 receptor antisense cDNA on migration of vascular smooth muscle cells

AIM: To evaluate the role of human angiotensin II (AngII) type 1 receptor (AT1R) antisense cDNA (ahAT1) on migration of cultured artery smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). METHODS: Two recombinant adenoviral vectors, Ad/CMV.ahAT1 containing full length antisense cDNA targeting to human AT1R mRNA, and Ad/CMV.LacZ containing LacZ called report gene, were constructed by orientation clone technology and homologous recombination, and then were used to transfect VSMCs in vitro. AT1R expression detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, and migration of VSMCs measured by Boyden's Chamer methods, were compared between transfected and nontransfected VSMCs. RESULTS: Forty-eight hours after Ad/CMV. ahAT1 transfection, the level of AT1R mRNA decreased markedly (50% of control group), and AT1R protein expression was significantly less (P＜0.01 vs control-group and Ad/CMV.LacZ-group, respectively) in VSMCs. So it was migration distance of VSMCs among the three groups. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that antisense cDNA targeting to human AT1R transfer in vitro mediated by adenoviral vector has a powerful inhibitory effect on migration of VSMCs by attenuating AT1R expression.