Type VIII collagen stimulates smooth muscle cell migration and matrix metalloproteinase synthesis after arterial injury

Type VIII collagen is a matrix protein expressed in a number of tissues undergoing active remodeling, including injured arteries during neointimal formation and in human atherosclerotic plaques; however, very little is known about its function. We have investigated whether the type VIII collagen stimulates smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration and invasion by binding to integrin receptors and up-regulating matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) production. SMCs attached to plates coated with type VIII collagen in a dose-dependent manner, with maximal attachment occurring with coating solutions containing 25 microgram/ml collagen. Type VIII collagen at 100 microgram/ml stimulated an 83-fold increase in the migration of SMCs in a chemotaxis chamber. Antibodies against beta1 integrin receptors prevented attachment and migration of SMCs. Antibodies against alpha1 or alpha2 integrins reduced attachment of SMCs to type VIII collagen by 29% and 77%, respectively. We found that SMCs grown from the rat neointima, but not medial SMCs, increased their production of MMP-2 and -9 on adherence to type VIII collagen. This suggests that there is an important difference in phenotype between intimal and medial SMCs and that intimal SMCs have distinct matrix-dependent signaling mechanisms. Our findings suggest that type VIII collagen deposited in vascular lesions functions to promote SMC attachment and chemotaxis, and signals through integrin receptors to stimulate MMP synthesis, all of which are important mechanisms used in cell migration and invasion.     

Rear polarization of the microtubule-organizing center in neointimal smooth muscle cells depends on PKCα, ARPC5, and RHAMM

Directed migration of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from the media to the intima in arteries occurs during atherosclerotic plaque formation and during restenosis after angioplasty or stent application. The polarized orientation of the microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) is a key determinant of this process, and we therefore investigated factors that regulate MTOC polarity in vascular SMCs. SMCs migrating in vivo from the medial to the intimal layer of the rat carotid artery following balloon catheter injury were rear polarized, with the MTOC located posterior of the nucleus. In tissue culture, migrating neointimal cells maintained rear polarization, whereas medial cells were front polarized. Using phosphoproteomic screening and mass spectrometry, we identified ARPC5 and RHAMM as protein kinase C (PKC)-phosphorylated proteins associated with rear polarization of the MTOC in neointimal SMCs. RNA silencing of ARPC5 and RHAMM, PKC inhibition, and transfection with a mutated nonphosphorylatable ARPC5 showed that these proteins regulate rear polarization by organizing the actin and microtubule cytoskeletons in neointimal SMCs. Both ARPC5 and RHAMM, in addition to PKC, were required for migration of neointimal SMCs.     

Integrin-linked kinase in the vascular smooth muscle cell response to injury

Integrin-mediated interactions between smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and the extracellular matrix regulate cell migration and proliferation during neointimal hyperplasia. Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is a serine-threonine kinase and scaffolding molecule that acts downstream of integrin receptors to modulate cell adhesion; therefore, we examined ILK function in SMCs during wound repair. Silencing of ILK expression with siRNA in vitro decreased cell adhesion to fibronectin and accelerated both cell proliferation and wound closure in the cell monolayer; it also resulted in the rearrangement of focal adhesions and diminished central actin stress fibers. Akt and GSK3beta are ILK substrates that are important in cell motility; however, ILK siRNA silencing did not attenuate injury-induced increases in Akt and GSK3beta phosphorylation. Following balloon catheter injury of the rat carotid artery in vivo, a dramatic decrease in ILK levels coincided with both the proliferation and migration of SMCs, which leads to the formation of a thickened neointima. Immunostaining revealed decreased ILK levels in the media and deep layers of the neointima, but increased ILK levels in the subluminal layers of the intima. Taken together, these results suggest that ILK functions to maintain SMC quiescence in the normal artery. A decrease in ILK levels after injury may permit SMC migration, proliferation, and neointimal thickening, and its re-expression at the luminal surface may attenuate this process during later stages of the injury response.     

Effect of Fluid Shear Stress on Migration of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in Cocultured Model

Migration of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in hyperplasia is thought to have a correlation with blood flow conditions. In this study, the effect of shear stress applied to endothelial cells (ECs) on SMC migration was examined using a newly designed EC–SMC coculture model (CM), in which bovine SMCs and ECs were separated by a collagen layer and a membrane filter. After exposing the CM to shear stresses of 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 Pa for 48 h, the number of SMCs migrating into the collagen layer was counted. Under static conditions, the migration of SMCs in the CM increased compared with SMCs cultured alone. Shear stress of 1.5 Pa significantly suppressed the SMC migration (p < 0.05) compared with the static CM. Media conditioned with the CM exposed to shear stress of 1.0 Pa (p < 0.05) and 1.5 Pa (p < 0.005) exhibited reduction in activated matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) compared with the static CM, as analyzed by zymography. Addition of an inhibitor of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, N ^ω-nitro-l-arginine methyle ester, to the media inhibited the effect of 1.5 Pa shear stress on SMC migration but MMP-2 activity was unaffected. These results suggest that physiological shear stress has protective roles in atherosclerogenesis.     

HMGA1 proteins in human atherosclerotic plaques

One of the major characteristics of atherosclerosis is the migration of smooth muscle cells (SMC) from the tunica media to the intima, caused by alterations in the environment, e.g. mechanical, chemical, or immunologic injuries of the arterial walls. A group of molecules that may act as a main regulator of SMC phenotype switching is formed by the so-called HMGA1 high-mobility group proteins. One target gene of the HMGA1 protein, playing a major role in the development of atherosclerotic lesions, is CD44. The expression of CD44 is regulated by IL-1beta, but binding of HMGA1 potentiates the transactivation of the CD44 promoter. In this study, the HMGA1 expression of human atherosclerotic plaque samples was examined. Compared to the non-active components, all major components of the well-developed atherosclerotic plaques showed strong positivity of the high-mobility group protein HMGA1 in their activated areas, e.g. neointimal SMCs, macrophages, newly built blood vessels. This report is the first to describe HMGA1 as one of the first mediators in the development of human atherosclerotic plaques.     

Localization of cysteine protease, cathepsin S, to the surface of vascular smooth muscle cells by association with integrin alphanubeta3

Smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration from the tunica media to the intima, a key event in neointimal formation, requires proteolytic degradation of elastin-rich extracellular matrix barriers. Although cathepsin S (Cat S) is overexpressed in atherosclerotic and neointimal lesions, its exact role in SMC behavior remains primarily unresolved. We examined the involvement of Cat S on SMC migration through an extracellular matrix barrier and its localization in SMCs. A selective Cat S inhibitor and the endogenous inhibitor cystatin C significantly attenuated SMC invasion across elastin gel. Western blotting and cell surface biotinylation analysis demonstrated localization of the 28-kd active form of Cat S on the SMC surface, consistent with its role in the proteolysis of subcellular matrices. Treatment with interferon-gamma or interleukin-beta1 significantly augmented the ability of SMC membranes to degrade elastin along with a significant increase in the level of active Cat S compared with controls. Immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy showed a punctuated pattern of Cat S clusters at the periphery of SMCs; further studies demonstrated partial co-localization of Cat S and integrin alphanubeta3 at the cell surfaces. These findings demonstrate that active Cat S co-localizes with integrin alphanubeta3 as a receptor on the SMC surface, playing an important role in the invasive behavior of SMCs.     

Morphology and increased growth rate of atherosclerotic intimal smooth-muscle cells

Atherosclerotic intimal smooth-muscle cells (SMCs) in vitro showed higher growth activity than did medial SMCs obtained from either atherosclerotic or normal aortas. Using an electron microscope, it was proved in primary cultures by an explant method that intimal SMCs had rich organelles and fewer filaments in their cytoplasms. They were regarded as synthetic phenotype. In contrast, most medial SMCs had rich filaments and fewer organelles. They were regarded as contractile phenotype. When atherosclerotic intimal and normal medial SMCs were plated on type I collagen gel, cytoplasmic cyclic adenosine monophosphate concentration increased and DNA synthesis was suppressed. Intimal SMCs cultured on the gel showed contractile phenotype. Dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate added to culture media decreased DNA synthesis and altered cellular phenotype to a contractile state. Intimal SMCs were more resistant to injury by hyperlipidemic low-density liproprotein and homocysteine. Lysosomal enzyme activity was enhanced in intimal SMCs.     

结缔组织生长因子在转化生长因子β诱导的肾小管上皮细胞转分化中的作用

目的：探讨结缔组织生长因子（CTGF）在转化生长因子-β1（TGF-β1）诱导的肾小管上皮细胞表型转化中的可能作用。方法： 将NRK52E肾小管上皮细胞分组处理，光镜、扫描电镜、透射电镜观察细胞形态的改变，细胞免疫组化检测ɑ-平滑肌肌动蛋白（α-SMA）和细胞角蛋白-18的表达，RT-PCR和Western blot检测Ⅰ型胶原的表达。 结果：TGF-β1 10 μg/L作用3 d，NRK52E小管上皮细胞失去正常的椭圆形，变得肥大，胞体拉长，扫描电镜下，见成纤维细胞状，失去上皮细胞特有的顶端-基底极性和表面的微绒毛结构，透射电镜下胞浆中见到微丝和致密体结构，骨架标志上肾小管上皮细胞较具特征性的细胞角蛋白-18表达减少,肌成纤维细胞标志性的α-SMA表达增多，Ⅰ型胶原分泌增多；加入TGF-β1中和抗体和CTGF反义寡核苷酸可以大部分阻断TGF-β的作用，而正义的CTGF寡核苷酸不能阻断TGF-β的作用。 结论： NRK52E细胞中，CTGF作为TGF-β的下游效应因子，介导了TGF-β诱导的肾小管上皮细胞转分化。     

Immunohistochemical analysis of hepatocyte growth factor in human coronary atherectomy specimens: comparison with transforming growth factor beta isoforms

The expression and localization of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) were examined immunohistochemically in 59 human coronary artery lesions retrieved by directional coronary atherectomy and compared with the localization of transforming growth factor beta isoforms (TGF-β1, -β2, and -β3). In 21 of the 59 specimens (35.6%) HGF-like immunoreactivity (HGF-IR) was revealed. The HGF immunopositivity rate of 45% (14/31) in thrombotic tissue was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the rates of 7.3% (4/55), 7.1% (3/42), and 0% (0/14) in fibrous tissue, neointimal hyperplasia and atheromatous gruel, respectively. Immunoreactivity for HGF was much weaker than that for TGF-β isoforms in these components except in thrombotic tissue. These cells exhibiting strong HGF-IR were inflammatory cells such as monocytes/macrophages in thrombotic tissue, in tissue lesions adjacent to a thrombus, and outside the capillary walls in a portion of the neovascularized lesions. Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) hardly demonstrated HGF-IR. In contrast, in control coronary arteries obtained at autopsy, the HGF-IR was strongly expressed in SMCs. These findings suggest that HGF produced by macrophages play a part in the process of coronary plaque formation attributable to thrombus in man.     

Alterations of endothelin-converting enzyme expression in early and advanced stages of human coronary atherosclerosis

Endothelin-1 is a potent vasoconstrictor and exhibits a mitogenic activity on vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE) is the final key enzyme of endothelin-1 processing. We studied the immunolocalization of ECE in human coronary atherosclerotic lesions with different disease stages. Frozen sections of normal coronary arteries with diffuse intimal thickening (n=13) and those of coronary arteries with early (n=10) or advanced atherosclerotic plaques (n=13) were studied. Monoclonal antibodies used were directed against SMCs, macrophages, endothelial cells, and ECE. For the identification of cell types that express ECE, double immunostaining analysis was also used. In normal coronary arteries, ECE immunoreactivity was observed in luminal endothelial cells and medial SMCs. Early atherosclerotic plaques, which consisted predominantly of SMCs, showed enhanced ECE expression in luminal endothelial cells and intimal SMCs. In advanced atherosclerotic plaques, distinct ECE expression was found in accumulated macrophages and in endothelial cells of intraplaque microvessels, while luminal endothelial cells showed relatively weak immunoreactivity for ECE. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that the major cell types expressing ECE within the plaques are different between early and advanced stages of human coronary atherosclerosis. Enhanced ECE expression and possible endothelin-1 generation may contribute to SMC proliferation and vasoconstriction in early atherosclerotic stages, and may promote plaque destabilization in advanced atherosclerotic stages.     

Stem cell therapy targets the neointimal smooth muscle cells in experimentally induced atherosclerosis: involvement of intracellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)

Smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are currently considered a central pivotal player in pathogenesis and development of atherosclerotic lesions. As consequence of vascular injury, SMCs migrate from the tunica media into the tunica intima layers where they contribute to neointimal formation by converting into foam cells and producing pro-inflammatory and oxidative stress markers. We targeted the replacement of neointimal SMCs by using the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy in experimentally induced atherosclerosis in an attempt to improve the atherosclerotic lesion and its concomitant complications. Rats were divided into 4 groups (n=20). Control group: rats kept on a standard chow diet; atherosclerotic group: rats received the atherogenic diet; stem cells-treated group: rats were injected with CD34⁺ stem cells (6×10⁶ cells in 0.5 mL PBS in rat tail vein) and maintained on the atherogenic diet; and resveratrol-treated group: rats were supplemented orally with resveratrol at a dose level 3 mg/kg per day and the atherogenic diet. After 12 weeks, rats were euthanized, blood samples were collected for separation of serum, and abdominal aortas were excised for further biochemical, molecular, and histopathological investigations. We used resveratrol, the well-established anti-atherosclerotic drug, as a benchmark to assess the efficacy of stem cell therapy. MSCs treatment revealed significant amelioration in both histopathological and biochemical patterns as evidenced by decreased foam cells formation, ICAM-1, VCAM, M-CSF, iNOS, COX-2, and TNF-α. We concluded that MSCs therapy significantly replaced the neointimal SMCs and decreased adhesion molecules as well as the oxidative and inflammatory markers in atherosclerosis.     

低浓度脂多糖加速大鼠颈动脉球囊损伤后新生内膜的形成

目的：探讨低浓度脂多糖（LPS）刺激机体免疫系统对血管损伤后加速血管新生内膜增生的影响。方法：选用健康Wistar大鼠，静脉注入LPS后，行颈动脉球囊损伤术，建立血管内膜损伤模型。采用免疫荧光或组织化学染色观察内膜增生变化。Western blot 分析损伤组织特异性平滑肌细胞标志物和细胞凋亡表达。用ELISA测定血清白介素-1β(IL-1β)含量和流式细胞术分析CD14阳性细胞表达水平。结果：每只鼠注入LPS(50 ng)后循环血中单核细胞和IL-1β水平显著升高。血管损伤7 d后中膜平滑肌细胞增殖, 转化为合成表型，新生内膜逐渐形成，随时间延长，内膜增生加速，内膜厚度由(151.2±14.5)μm2增至(173.9±15.3)μm2。免疫荧光染色观察到增殖细胞核抗原及核因子-κB分别定位于新生内膜和外膜。Western blot分析显示新生内膜形成早期LPS组平滑肌特异性标志蛋白α-肌动蛋白多于对照组，caspase-3表达持续上调，细胞凋亡多于对照组。结论：炎症介质LPS刺激全身免疫系统导致血管损伤后新生内膜暂时性增生，表明炎症介质可以加剧血管损伤后再狭窄的形成。     

Macrophage secretory products selectively stimulate dermatan sulfate proteoglycan production in cultured arterial smooth muscle cells.

Arterial dermatan sulfate proteoglycan has been shown to increase with atherosclerosis progression, but factors responsible for this increase are unknown. To test the hypothesis that smooth muscle cell proteoglycan synthesis may be modified by macrophage products, pigeon arterial smooth muscle cells were exposed to the media of either cholesteryl ester-loaded pigeon peritoneal macrophages or a macrophage cell line P388D1. Proteoglycans radiolabeled with [35S]sulfate and [3H]serine were isolated from culture media and smooth muscle cells and purified following precipitation with 1-hexadecylpyridinium chloride and chromatography. Increasing concentrations of macrophage-conditioned media were associated with a dose-response increase in [35S]sulfate incorporation into secreted proteoglycans, but there was no change in cell-associated proteoglycans. Incorporation of [3H]serine into total proteoglycan core proteins was not significantly different (5.2 X 10(5) dpm and 5.5 X 10(5) disintegrations per minute (dpm) in control and conditioned media-treated cultures, respectively), but selective effects were observed on individual proteoglycan types. Twofold increases in dermatan sulfate proteoglycan and limited degradation of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan were apparent based on core proteins separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Immunoinhibition studies indicated that interleukin-1 was involved in the modulation of proteoglycan synthesis by macrophage-conditioned media. These data provide support for the role of macrophages in alteration of the matrix proteoglycans synthesized by smooth muscle cells and provide a mechanism to account for the reported increased dermatan sulfate/chondroitin sulfate ratios in the developing atherosclerotic lesion.     

大鼠心肌细胞结缔组织生长因子的诱导表达及RNA干扰研究

目的： 探讨心肌细胞对结缔组织生长因子（CTGF）的基础表达及转化生长因子β1（TGF-β1）对其分泌的诱导作用,并进一步研究以RNA干扰(RNAi)技术靶向抑制CTGF对下游纤维化因子的影响。方法: 实验分为以下5组： 组Ⅰ：单纯心肌细胞组;组Ⅱ：TGF-β1诱导组;组Ⅲ：阴性质粒组;组Ⅳ：RNAi组;组Ⅴ：脂质体组。分离培养Sprague Dawley（SD）大鼠乳鼠心肌细胞,以5 μg/L终浓度的TGF-β1对培养的心肌细胞进行诱导,再通过脂质体法将靶向大鼠CTGF的短发夹RNA(shRNA)干扰质粒转染入心肌细胞,流式细胞技术分选出成功转染的细胞。通过反转录聚合酶链式反应(RT-PCR)和免疫印迹（Western blotting）技术进一步研究各实验组心肌细胞CTGF、纤维连接蛋白（FN）mRNA及蛋白的表达水平。结果: 单纯心肌细胞组对CTGF、FN均有低水平的基础分泌,在予以TGF-β1诱导后表达水平显著升高（P＜0.01）;而在靶向特异性RNAi后,上述因子的表达均被显著抑制（P＜0.01）;并且纤维化因子FN的表达水平与促纤维化因子CTGF的表达显著相关。结论: 心肌细胞可自主低水平分泌或诱导后高表达CTGF及下游纤维化因子FN,提示心肌细胞主动参与了心肌纤维化及心脏重塑过程;而通过RNAi靶向抑制CTGF后可阻抑心肌细胞分泌下游纤维化因子,进一步提示CTGF是促心肌纤维化的关键性细胞因子,而RNAi是一种特异高效的很有前途的干预手段。     

Temporal and spatial characterization of cellular constituents during neointimal hyperplasia after vascular injury: Potential contribution of bone-marrow-derived progenitors to arterial remodeling

BACKGROUND: Exuberant smooth muscle cells (SMCs) hyperplasia is the major cause of postangioplasty restenosis. We suggested that circulating smooth muscle progenitor cells might contribute to lesion formation after vascular injury. METHODS: We extensively investigated the cellular constituents during neointimal formation after mechanical vascular injury. RESULTS: A large wire was inserted into the mouse femoral artery, causing complete endothelial denudation and marked enlargement of the lumen with massive apoptosis of medial SMCs. At 2 h, the injured artery remained dilated with a thin media containing very few cells. A scanning electron microscopy showed fibrin and platelet deposition at the luminal side. One week after the injury, CD45-positive hematopoietic cells accumulated at the luminal side. Those CD45-positive cells gradually disappeared, whereas neointimal hyperplasia was formed with alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA) positive cells. Bone marrow cells and peripheral mononuclear cells differentiated into alpha-SMA-positive cells in the presence of PDGF and basic FGF. Moreover, in bone marrow chimeric mice, bone-marrow-derived cells substantially contributed to neointimal hyperplasia after wire injury. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that early accumulation of hematopoietic cells may play a role in the pathogenesis of SMC hyperplasia under certain circumstances.     

Similar pathological effects of sympathectomy and hypercholesterolemia on arterial smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts

In a previous study, we showed that after sympathectomy, the femoral (FA) but not the basilar (BA) artery from non-pathological rabbits manifests migration of adventitial fibroblasts (FBs) into the media and loss of medial smooth muscle cells (SMCs). The aim of the present study was to verify whether similar behaviour of arteries occurred in the pathological context of atherosclerosis. Thus, similar experiments were conducted on hypercholesterolemic rabbits, which were chemically sympathectomized with 6-hydroxydopamine (n=4) or treated with vehicle for control (n=5). Cross-sections of BA and FA were immunolabelled for five markers of phenotypic modulation of vascular SMCs and FBs: vimentin, desmin, alpha-smooth muscle actin, beta-isoform of actin, and h-caldesmon and examined using a confocal microscope. Also, 3D images were constructed and morphometric analysis performed using image analysis software. Both intact and sympathectomized BA and FA developed atherosclerotic plaques, but the thickening of the intima was more advanced in sympathectomized animals, as judged by increased plaque frequency and by the phenotypic modulation of SMCs in the intima. Our results show that in the media of FAs hypercholesterolemia induces changes similar to those observed in sympathectomized rabbits in non-pathological conditions, i.e., migration of adventitial FBs to the media and loss of medial SMCs. These latter changes, which can be ascribed to pathological events, were accentuated after sympathectomy in the hypercholesterolemic rabbits. The present study reveals that pathological events, including migration and phenotypic modulation of vascular FBs and loss of SMCs, may be under the influence of sympathetic nerves.     

动脉粥样硬化大鼠血管损伤后局部组织学结构的变化

目的建立大鼠颈总动脉球囊损伤模型，了解血管成形术后再狭窄的发生规律及病理机制。方法在大鼠动脉粥样硬化病变的基础上，使用2F球囊导管损伤大鼠左侧颈总动脉，观察术后不同时期内膜、中膜增生的动态改变；对血管壁增殖的细胞进行鉴定；观察血管壁平滑肌细胞表型标志物SMα—actin表达的变化。结果损伤后7天薪生内膜开始形成，至3月时内膜增厚达最大，管腔明显狭窄，损伤动脉壁可见细胞大量增殖，大部分为平滑肌细胞。损伤早期血管壁表达SMα—actin减少，至损伤后期逐渐恢复至原有水平。结论应用球囊导管可以成功建立大鼠血管损伤动物模型，损伤后新生内膜增生导致管腔狭窄，平滑肌细胞的表型改变、迁移及增殖是内膜过度增生的病理基础。     

转染组织纤溶酶原激活物及内皮型一氧化氮合酶基因的内皮细胞和平滑肌细胞共同种植于人工血管对内膜增生的影响

背景：前期研究表明,双层细胞种植能有效提高内皮细胞保留率,将组织纤溶酶原激活物基因转染到内皮细胞中能提高其细胞溶解纤维蛋白的能力。 目的：采用双细胞种植及修饰内皮的组织纤溶酶原激活物基因提高内皮细胞保留率和抗栓能力,通过内皮型一氧化氮合酶基因调控平滑肌细胞的增殖,观察对小口径人工血管通畅率的影响。 方法：以4种不同组合细胞(内皮细胞+平滑肌细胞SMC,内皮细胞/组织纤溶酶原激活物+平滑肌细胞,内皮细胞+平滑肌细胞/内皮型一氧化氮合酶,内皮细胞/组织纤溶酶原激活物+平滑肌细胞/内皮型一氧化氮合酶)种植在PTFE管腔面。将新西兰大白兔随机分成4组,4种人工血管经旁路分别移植在4组兔的腹主动脉上。 结果与结论：移植后60 d,种植内皮细胞+平滑肌细胞组和内皮细胞+平滑肌细胞/内皮型一氧化氮合酶组内膜厚度无明显差异(P > 0.05)。与内皮细胞/组织纤溶酶原激活物+平滑肌细胞/内皮型一氧化氮合酶组相比,未转染内皮型一氧化氮合酶组(内皮细胞/组织纤溶酶原激活物+平滑肌细胞）内膜明显增厚(P < 0.05);未转染组织纤溶酶原激活物组(内皮细胞+平滑肌细胞/内皮型一氧化氮合酶)内膜较薄(P < 0.05)。提示组织纤溶酶原激活物基因转染可以促进血管内膜增生导致血管狭窄,但同时转入内皮型一氧化氮合酶基因可以抑制组织纤溶酶原激活物的促进平滑肌细胞增殖及内膜增生的作用。     

Galectin-3 modulates rat mesangial cell proliferation and matrix synthesis during experimental glomerulonephritis induced by anti-Thy1.1 antibodies

Galectin-3 is a β-galactoside-binding protein synthesized by macrophages and other inflammatory cells and expressed in various branching epithelia, including the developing kidney. The expression of galectin-3 has been studied in a rat model of acute mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis in which a single injection of anti-Thy1.1 antibodies leads to destruction of mesangial cells expressing a Thy1.1 epitope on their surface. The glomerular lesion is characterized by expansion of the mesangial matrix, especially laminin and collagen type IV, and mesangial hypercellularity. Galectin-3 expression, which is sparse in mature rat kidney and confined to the apical face of some distal tubules, is increased within 1–3 days following antibody administration, with the recruitment of glomerular macrophages and pronounced neo-expression in the cytoplasm and at the basal face of distal tubules. At later times, galectin-3 is detected immunohistochemically in the repopulating mesangial cell mass, preceding the extensive mesangial deposition of laminin and collagen type IV. Mesangial cells in culture do not produce appreciable amounts of galectin-3 but do bind and endocytose exogenously added lectin. Addition of galectin-3 to primary cultures of mesangial cells prepared from normal rats induces a 1·5-fold increase in the synthesis of collagen type IV and it also acts in synergy with a quantitatively similar stimulatory effect of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) on matrix synthesis. Exogenous galectin-3 prolongs the survival of mesangial cells in serum-free cultures and also protects these cells against cytotoxic effects of TGF-β. The data support the notion that the increased expression and secretion of galectin-3 in infiltrating macrophages and in distal tubular epithelia, together with up-regulation of IL-1β and TGF-β genes, play a role in mesangial hypercellularity in the progression of one model of inflammatory renal disease. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Collagen synthesis of human arterial smooth muscle cells: Effects of platelet-derived growth factor,transforming growth factor-β1 and interleukin-1

The effects of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) on collagen synthesis of cultured human arterial smooth muscle cells in a confluent state were investigated. Synthetic activity of collagenous protein was determined with [³H]-proline uptake, and subsequent analysis of collagen types by sodium dodecylsulfte-polyacrylmide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) followed by fluorography. Although PDGF (0.5 U/mL and 5.0 U/mL) enhanced total collagen synthesis per dish, it suppressed total collagen synthesis per DNA (DNA content in a dish). TGF-β1 (10 pmol/L and 100 pmol/L) enhanced total collagen synthesis both per dish and per DNA. IL-1 (0.1 U/mL and 1.0 U/mL) suppressed total collagen synthesis both per dish and per DNA. A fluorogram revealed that human arterial smooth muscle cells synthesize types I, III, IV and V collagen. Densitometric analysis showed PDGF suppressed the proportion of type V collagen. TGF-β1 increased the proportions of types IV and V collagen. IL-1 elicited un-remarkable change in the proportion of collagen types. These results suggest that, in the event of human atherosclerosis, TGS-β1 is most effective in enhancing collagen synthesis, and PDGF modulates collagen metabolism by stimulating a cell division of smooth muscle cells with a resultant increase of collagenous protein, especially of type V collagen.