Smad通路参与ERK通路诱导血管平滑肌细胞增殖的过程

目的： 探讨Smad通路是否参与细胞外信号调节激酶(ERK)通路诱导血管平滑肌细胞（VSMCs）增殖的过程及其可能机制。方法：将人脐动脉平滑肌细胞（hUASMCs）分为对照组、血小板源性生长因子（PDGF）组、ERK阻断剂组和PDGF+ERK阻断剂组。用MTT法测hUASMCs的增殖活性(A值)，用免疫组化法测hUASMCs内细胞核增殖抗原（PCNA）、磷酸化ERK和磷酸化Smad蛋白的表达，用RT-PCR法测hUASMCs内Smad2/3 mRNA的表达。结果：PDGF组hUASMCs的增殖活性(A值)及hUASMCs内的PCNA、磷酸化ERK和磷酸化Smad2/3蛋白的表达都明显高于其它各组(P<0.01)；各组hUASMCs内Smad2/3 mRNA的表达没有差异。结论： Smad通路可在蛋白水平参与ERK通路诱导VSMCs的增殖过程。

Smad pathway participates the process of proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells induced by extracellular signal regulated kinase pathway

AIM: To investigate whether Smad pathway participates the process of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) induced the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). METHODS: Human umbilical artery smooth muscle cells (hUASMCs) were divided into four groups: control group, PDGF (platelet derived growth factor) group, ERK blocking agent group and PDGF+ERK blocking agent group. MTT assay was used to detect the proliferation of hUASMCs (A value). Immunohistochemical technique was used to detect the expression of PCNA, phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) and phosphorylated Smad2/3 (p-Smad2/3) protein in hUASMCs. The expression of Smad2/3 mRNA in hUASMCs was detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The proliferation of hUASMCs and the expression of PCNA, p-ERK and p-Smad2/3 proteins in hUASMCs in PDGF group were increased obviously than those in other groups (P<0.01). No difference in the expression of Smad2/3 mRNA in hUASMCs among groups was observed. CONCLUSION: Smad pathway participates the process of ERK pathway that induces the proliferation of hUASMCs at the level of protein.