Lysophosphatidic acid and phenotypic modulation in vascular smooth muscle cells

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a sort of phospholipid messenger possessing diverse physiological role, which is mediated by its G protein-coupled receptors, and plays a significant role in vascular diseases. Phenotypic modulation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is the key initiation step of VSMCs proliferation and migration in hypertension, atherosclerosis and postangioplasty restenosis, and is the common morbility foundation of these vascular diseases. In this article we briefly review the LPA biological characteristics, its relationship with VSMCs phenotypic modulation and relative signal transduction pathway.