青光安颗粒剂对TGF-β1诱导的HTFs增殖影响的实验研究

目的探讨青光安颗粒剂抑制转化生长因子β1 (TGF-β1)诱导的人类Tenon成纤维细胞(HTFs)增殖的可能机制。方法从接受青光眼滤过手术(GFS)的个体获得人结膜下Tenon胶囊样品。实验设计分为3组:对照组(HTFs未经处理,n=10);TGF-β1诱导组(100 ng/ml TGF-β1诱导HTFs,构建GFS术后细胞模型,n=10);TGF-β1+青光安治疗组(TGF-β1诱导+青光安颗粒剂血清处理HTFs,n=30)。TGF-β1+青光安治疗组按照青光安血清的剂量进一步分为3组:TGF-β1+青光安高剂量组(TGF-β1诱导+青光安颗粒剂血清5 ml处理HTFs);TGF-β1+青光安中剂量组(TGF-β1诱导+青光安颗粒剂血清2.5 ml处理HTFs);TGF-β1+青光安低剂量组(TGF-β1诱导+青光安颗粒剂血清处理1 ml HTFs);每组设10个培养皿。通过CCK-8检测青光安对TGF-β1诱导HTFs增殖的影响;通过流式细胞术评估青光安对细胞周期的影响;通过Cyto-ID免疫细胞化学染色测定青光安颗粒剂对HTFs细胞自噬的影响;采用RT-PCR和Western Blot法测定自噬体形成的必需蛋白质Beclin-1,ATG-5和LC3-Ⅲ基因和蛋白的表达水平。多组间比较采用单因素方差分析,组间两两比较采用LSD-t检验。结果青光安能够抑制TGF-β1诱导HTFs的增殖能力,TGF-β1+青光安高剂量组细胞增殖水平(13.52±1.24)较TGF-β1诱导组(23.42±1.25)降低,差异有统计学意义(F=12.347,P 0.01);TGF-β1诱导G0/G1期的比例(88.29±0.35)降低,而S期的比例(9.04±0.25)升高,而青光安治疗能够导致G0/G1期的比例(91.18±1.04)增加,而S期的比例(5.41±0.59)降低,差异有统计学意义(F=13.857,P 0.01);与TGF-β1诱导组相比,用TGF-β1+青光安治疗组导致荧光染色强度(1.84±0.14)降低,HTFs阳性细胞数目(112.46±12.11)减少,差异有统计学意义(F=12.347,P=18.472);TGF-β1+青光安治疗组能抑制TGF-β1诱导对自噬基因Beclin-1、ATG-5和LC-3ⅢmRNA和蛋白质表达增加(P 0.05)。结论青光安颗粒剂抑制TGF-β1诱导的HTFs增殖,且可能机制为青光安诱导HTFs细胞周期停滞于G0/G1期,而且青光安可减少TGF-β1诱导的HTFs自噬。     

赶黄草总黄酮对活化的肝星状细胞 TGF-β1/Smads信号通路的影响

为研究赶黄草总黄酮对TGF-β1(transforming growth factor beta 1)活化的肝星状细胞的作用及可能的机理,采用TGF-β1诱导人肝星状细胞(hepatic stellate cell LX-2,HSC-LX-2)活化,给予不同浓度赶黄草总黄酮后,MTT法检测赶黄草总黄酮对活化后的LX-2增殖的影响,划痕实验检测细胞迁移率,胶原收缩实验检测胶原收缩情况,酶联免疫吸附实验(enzyme linked immunosorbent assay,ELISA)检测细胞培养液中一型胶原(collagenⅠ,ColⅠ)及纤连蛋白(fibronectin,FN)等细胞外基质的沉积,进一步采用Western blot法检测TGF-β1/Smads信号通路相关蛋白Smad2、Smad3、p-Smad2、p-Smad3、Smad7的表达。结果显示,赶黄草浓度在为5、9、13 mg/L均可抑制TGF-β1活化后的LX-2的增殖和迁移,且13 mg/L时效果最显著(P0.01);另外,赶黄草总黄酮可减少ColⅠ及FN等细胞外基质(extracellular matrix,ECM)的沉积(P0.01),并抑制胶原收缩;Western blot结果显示,赶黄草总黄酮作用后Smad3、p-Smad2和p-Smad3的表达均显著减少(P0.05),Smad7的表达明显增加。赶黄草总黄酮能明显抑制LX-2的增殖,减少ECM的分泌,其作用机制可能与与其抑制TGF-β1/Smads信号通路传导有关。     

人β防御素-2通过TGF-β/Smad信号通路对胃癌SGC7901细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响

该文探讨了人β防御素-2(hBD2)对胃癌SGC7901细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响。将真核表达载体pCMV-hBD2转染于人胃癌SGC7901细胞。采用qPCR和免疫印迹法(Western blot)检测转染效率。Western blot检测TGF-β1、p-Smad2/3、Smad2/3、MMP9的蛋白表达水平。Transwell法检测SGC7901细胞迁移和侵袭能力。EdU法和流式细胞术分别检测增殖能力与细胞周期。结果显示,转染真核表达载体pCMV-hBD2的SGC7901细胞, hBD2的表达水平明显高于SGC7901和转染pCMV-Blank的SGC7901细胞。SGC7901-hBD2细胞中TGF-β1、p-Smad2/3和MMP9的蛋白表达水平均低于SGC7901和SGC7901-Blank细胞,而Smad2/3表达水平不变。同时,其迁移侵袭和增殖能力均受到抑制,细胞周期G0/G1期阻滞。该实验结果表明, hBD2可能通过下调TGF-β/Smad信号通路调控SGC7901细胞的迁移侵袭以及增殖能力。     

调节TGF-β1/Smad信号通路对内质网应激状态下肝癌HepG2细胞凋亡的影响

目的: 探讨TGF-β1/Smad信号通路对内质网应激(ERS)状态下肝癌HepG2细胞凋亡的影响机制。方法: 首先建立内质网应激模型:以3 μmol/L的衣霉素(TM)处理人肝癌HepG2细胞株24 h,诱导细胞发生ERS。实验分为6组,每组3个复孔,实验重复3次,6组分别为:Untreated组(未处理组)、TM组(3 μmol/L TM处理组)、TM+NC组(3 μmol/L TM+si-TGF-β1阴性对照组)、TM+si-TGF-β1组(3 μmol/L TM+si-TGF-β1组)、TM+pEX-3组(3 μmol/L TM+质粒对照组)及TM+TGF-β1 pEX-3组(3 μmol/L TM+TGF-β1过表达质粒组),利用脂质体的方法将TGF-β1小干扰RNA(si-TGF-β1)及TGF-β1过表达质粒(TGF-β1 pEX-3)转染入HepG2细胞,转染24 h后,利用RT-qPCR和Western blot检测各组HepG2细胞TGF-β1/Smad信号通路相关因子TGF-β1、p-Smad2表达的情况;CCK-8和流式细胞术分别检测各组HepG2细胞增殖抑制率和凋亡率变化情况。结果: 与Untreated组相比,TM组细胞的TGF-β1及p-Smad2的表达明显降低(P＜0.05);与TM组相比,TM+si-TGF-β1组细胞的TGF-β1及p-Smad2的表达和细胞的增殖抑制率、凋亡率显著降低(P＜0.01),而TM+TGF-β1 pEX-3组细胞的TGF-β1及p-Smad2的表达和细胞增殖抑制率、凋亡率显著升高(P＜0.01)。结论: TGF-β1/Smad信号通路在肝癌HepG2细胞发生ERS后受到抑制,当该通路被激活后,ERS状态下肝癌HepG2细胞的凋亡率显著升高。     

阿托伐他汀对人肾小球系膜细胞增殖、TGF-β1mRNA和p38MAPK表达的影响

目的观察阿托伐他汀(atorv)对氧化低密度脂蛋白(ox-LDL)诱导的人肾小球系膜细胞(HGMCs)增殖和转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)mRNA及丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(p38MAPK)蛋白表达的影响。方法在体外培养HG-MCs,用MTT法检测细胞增殖,用半定量RT-PCR法检测细胞TGF-β1 mRNA表达,用Western blot法检测细胞p38MAPK蛋白合成。结果1.Ox-LDL(80μg/ml)刺激系膜细胞增殖;2.Ox-LDL(10μg/ml-80μg/ml)以浓度依赖的方式增加HGMCs TGF-β1 mRNA和p38MAPK蛋白表达,3.Atovastatin(6μg-12μg/ml)抑制系膜细胞增殖,降低ox-LDL引起的TGF-β1 mRNA表达上调,抑制p38MAPK信号途径激活。结论阿托伐他汀可能通过对抗p38MAPK信号通路,减少TGFβ1分泌,抑制ox-LDL引起的肾小球系膜细胞增殖,预防和治疗伴有血脂异常的糖尿病肾脏病变。     

硫化氢抑制TGF-β1诱导的人心脏成纤维细胞向肌成纤维细胞的表型转化

心脏成纤维细胞(CFs)具有广泛的功能,在维持正常的心脏结构及心脏重构过程均具有重要作用.转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)被认为是最强的刺激CFs转化为肌成纤维细胞(Myo FBs)的细胞因子并分泌Ⅰ,Ⅱ型胶原纤维.本研究主要探讨外源性硫化氢(H2S)-硫氢化钠(Na HS)是否影响CFs的增殖、迁移,及CFs向Myo FBs的表型转化,并探讨其作用机制.结果表明,H2S显著抑制TGF-β1诱导的HCF-av细胞增殖、迁移、向Myo FBs的表型转化,调节细胞生长,减少胶原合成,并抑制TGF-β1及活化Smad3蛋白表达水平.推测其机制可能为H2S抑制TGF-β1/Smad3信号通路.研究结果为临床治疗心脏纤维化及心室重构提供理论依据.     

HSC的活化、增殖与TGF-β1及其Ⅰ型受体在中晚期纤维化肝组织中的改变及护杆片对其的影响

目的 探讨护肝片对中、晚期纤维化大鼠肝组织肝星状细胞(HSC)的活化与增殖及转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)及其Ⅰ型受体(TβRⅠ)表达的影响.方法 采用12.5% CCl4诱导的大鼠肝纤维化模型,自造模之日起,大鼠分组灌胃给药(护肝片921mg·kg-1)或溶媒,每日一次,直至8或13周末,分别处死动物,取左叶肝组织石蜡包埋,制作组织芯片,免疫组化S-P法检测大鼠肝组织α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)、TGF-β1及TβRⅠ蛋白的表达,并用MetaMorph图像分析系统计数α-SMA阳性细胞数、对TGF-β1及TβRⅠ蛋白表达量进行定量分析.结果 1.模型复制8周和13周,模型组的肝损伤及其纤维化分级均明显高于正常组(P＜0.01),护肝片组的肝损伤及其纤维化分级均轻于模型组.2.模型复制8周和13周,模型组活化的HSC(即α-SMA阳性细胞)数量较正常组明显增多、TGF-β1及TβRⅠ蛋白的表达较正常组明显增强(P＜0.01);3.护肝片显著抑制8、13周纤维化肝组织HSC的活化与增殖和TGF-β1及TβRⅠ蛋白的表达(P＜0.01).结论 抑制HSC的活化与增殖和TGF-β1及TβRⅠ的表达可能是护肝片抗肝纤维化作用的靶点之一.     

缬沙坦对气道平滑肌增殖的影响及机制探讨

目的:观察血管紧张素ⅡⅠ型受体拮抗剂对气道平滑肌细胞增殖的影响.方法:体外培养人体气道平滑肌细胞(HASMCs),用血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)和AngⅡ的Ⅰ型受体拮抗剂缬沙坦予以干预,四甲基偶氮唑蓝(MTT)微量比色法测定HASMCs生长率,流式细胞术检测HASMCs细胞周期,实时荧光定量PCR(Real time PCR)检测HASMCs转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)mRNA的变化.结果:(1)AngⅡ刺激HASMCs后细胞生长率明显高于对照组(P＜0.05),AngⅡ+缬沙坦组细胞生长率明显低于AngⅡ组(P＜0.05);(2)AngⅡ刺激HASMCs后细胞周期S期比例显著高于对照组(P＜0.05),AngⅡ+缬沙坦组细胞周期S期比例低于AngⅡ组(P＜0.05);(3)AngⅡ刺激HASMCs后TGF-β1 mRNA表达量明显高于对照组(P＜0.05),AngⅡ+缬沙坦组TGF-β1mRNA表达量低于AngⅡ组(P＜0.05).结论:血管紧张素ⅡⅠ型受体拮抗剂能抑制气道平滑肌的增殖,可能通过下调TGF-β1起作用.     

900 MHz手机辐射对人视网膜色素上皮细胞增殖活性及转化生长因子β2表达的影响

目的:研究900 MHz手机辐射对人视网膜色素上皮细胞(RPE)增殖活性及转化生长因子β2(TGF-β2)表达的影响。方法:采用体外培养的RPE细胞,给予900 MHz手机电磁辐射者处理作为辐射组,未给予辐射者作为对照组。通过CCK8法检测RPE细胞的增殖活性,Real-Time PCR法检测RPE细胞TGF-β2 m RNA的表达,ELISA法检测RPE细胞培养上清液中TGF-β2的蛋白含量。结果:与对照组相比,辐射组RPE细胞的增殖活性降低,TGF-β2 m RNA表达增加,RPE细胞培养上清中TGF-β2含量上调,且差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:900 MHz的手机辐射可能能通过调节TGF-β2的表达和释放导致RPE细胞增殖活性降低相关的眼部疾病。     

TGF-β信号通路抑制剂LY364947对急性髓系白血病细胞增殖、凋亡和侵袭的影响

该文旨在探讨抑制TGF-β信号通路对人急性髓系白血病(acute myeloid leukemia,AML)细胞体外增殖、凋亡和侵袭能力的影响。使用不同浓度TGF-β信号通路抑制剂LY364947处理AML细胞系(KG1a、OCI-AML3)后,采用CCK-8实验检测细胞体外增殖能力;流式细胞术检测细胞周期分布及凋亡情况; Western blot检测细胞周期调控因子Cyclin D1/p21、凋亡相关蛋白Bcl-2/Bax以及上皮细胞间质转化相关蛋白E-cadherin、N-cadherin和vimentin的表达; Transwell实验测定AML细胞迁移及侵袭能力的变化。结果显示:LY364947作用后,白血病细胞生长明显受抑制;细胞周期阻滞在G1期,伴有Cyclin D1表达下调和p21表达上调;细胞凋亡率增加,同时细胞抗凋亡蛋白Bcl-2的表达水平下降,促凋亡蛋白Bax表达增高;细胞体外迁移和侵袭能力减弱。此外, E-cadherin表达增高, N-cadherin和vimentin表达下降。该研究结果提示,抑制TGF-β信号通路能够抑制白血病细胞的体外增殖,诱导细胞凋亡,降低细胞迁移及侵袭能力。     

Antimitogenic effects of prostacyclin on the G1 phase cyclin-dependent kinases

The prostanoid prostacyclin (PGI2) inhibits proliferation of cultured vascular SMCs by inhibiting cell cycle progression from G1 to S phase. Progression through G1 phase is regulated by the sequential activation of the G1 phase cyclin-dependent kinases (cdks). Recent studies have shown that PGI2-dependent activation of its receptor, IP, inhibits G1 phase progression by blocking the degradation of p27 and the activation of cyclin E-cdk2. High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) and its associated apolipoprotein, ApoE, also inhibit S phase entry of vascular SMCs, and the effects of HDL and ApoE are, at least in part, also mediated by the production of PGI2. The antimitogenic effects of hyaluronan may also be controlled by PGI2. This review summarizes the effects of PGI2 on the G1 phase cyclin-cdks and discusses the potential role of PGI2 as a common component of multiple extracellular signals that attenuate the proliferation of vascular SMCs.     

Regulation of proliferation and differentiation of respiratory tract epithelial cells by TGF beta

In this paper we examined the effects of transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) on the proliferation and differentiation of rabbit tracheal epithelial cells in primary culture. Treatment of these cells with TGF beta inhibits cell proliferation in a time- and dose-dependent manner; concentrations as low as 1 pM are able to inhibit cell growth. Concomitantly, TGF beta causes cells to accumulate in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle and a sharp reduction in the ability of the cells to form colonies after subculture at clonal density. These results indicate that TGF beta induces terminal cell division in these cells. The inhibition of cell growth is accompanied by changes in cell morphology and a stimulation of the formation of cross-linked envelopes. TGF beta enhances the levels of transglutaminase activity and cholesterol sulfate, two markers of squamous differentiation. Our results indicate that TGF beta induces terminal squamous cell differentiation in rabbit tracheal epithelial cells. Retinoic acid (RA) does not affect the commitment to terminal cell division induced by TGF beta, but inhibits the expression of the squamous phenotype. Growth of normal human bronchial epithelial cells was affected by TGF beta in a way similar to that of rabbit tracheal epithelial cells. Several carcinoma cell lines tested were quite resistant to TGF beta, whereas growth of one carcinoma cell line was stimulated by TGF beta. These results indicate that a modified response to TGF beta could be one mechanism involved in the aberrant growth control of malignant cells.     

Epidermal growth factor-like transforming growth factor. I. Isolation, chemical characterization, and potentiation by other transforming factors from feline sarcoma virus-transformed rat cells

An acid-stable transforming growth factor (TGF) that interacts with epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptors and is structurally related to EGF was isolated from serum-free culture fluids of Snyder-Theilen feline sarcoma virus-transformed rat embryo (FeSV-Fre) cells. Purification of this EGF-like TGF (eTGF) was achieved by molecular filtration chromatography and successive reverse-phase high pressure liquid chromatography steps on octadecyl support eluted with acetonitrile and 1-propanol gradients, respectively. Rat eTGF consists of a 7.4-kD single polypeptide chain that co-migrates with biological activity in dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide electrophoresis gels. Like preparations of a related TGF from human melanoma cells (Marquardt, H., and Todaro, G.J. (1982) J. Biol. Chem. 257, 5220-5225), but unlike EGF from rat, human, or mouse, rat eTGF has phenylalanine and lacks methionine. However, the sequence of the first 30 amino acid residues in rat eTGF is H2N-Val-Val-Ser-His-Phe-Asn-Lys-Cys-Pro-Asp-Ser-His-Thr-Gln-Tyr-Cys-Phe-His-Gly - Thr-(x)-Arg-Phe-Leu-Val-Gln-Glu-Glu-(Lys)-(Lys)-, which is significantly (20% and 28%) homologous to the NH2-terminal region of mouse EGF and human EGF, respectively. In addition to eTGF, molecular filtration chromatography of acid-soluble extracts from medium conditioned by FeSV-Fre cells resolved a 14-kD transforming factor(s) apparently devoid of intrinsic mitogenic activity but able to elicit a strong anchorage-independent growth response in the presence of eTGF or EGF. These results show that: 1) a 7.4-kDa TGF structurally and functionally related to EGF has been isolated from FeSV-Fre cells and 2) the full anchorage-independent growth-promoting activity of medium conditioned by FeSV-Fre cells is due to the coordinate action of at least two types of factors, the 7.4-kDa eTGF and a second 14-kDa transforming factor(s).     

内皮细胞生长状态对血管平滑肌细胞增生迁移的影响

实验通过建立细胞共培养体系,探讨内皮细胞生长状态对血管平滑肌细胞增生迁移的影响及机制。检测指标包括~3H-TdR掺入、细胞周期、细胞迁移计数和α-SM-actin mRNA表达。结果显示,融合生长内皮使平滑肌细胞~3H-TdR掺入量明显降低,增加平滑肌细胞停留在G_0/G_1期的比例,上调平滑肌细胞α-SM-actin mRNA表达;而对数生长内皮细胞使平滑肌细胞~3H-TdR掺入量明显升高,促进平滑肌细胞由 G_0/G_1期进入G_2/M和S期,下调平滑肌细胞α-SM-actin mRNA表达。对照组平滑肌细胞在基础状态下存在少量迁移,对数增殖内皮细胞组平滑肌迁移数比对照组增高约4倍(P<0.01),而融合生长内皮细胞组平滑肌迁移数仅为对照组的0.5倍(P<0.05)。结果提示内皮细胞生长状态不同,对平滑肌细胞生物学特性的影响也不同,增殖期内皮明显促进平滑肌细胞增生迁移、下调平滑肌细胞α-SM-actin mRNA表达。     

视黄醇结合蛋白4 对血管平滑肌细胞迁移和增殖的影响及机制

目的:研究视黄醇结合蛋白4(Retinol-binding protein 4,RBP4)对血管平滑肌细胞(SMCs)迁移和增殖的影响及分子机制。方法:体外培养大鼠主动脉SMCs,采用划痕实验及Boyden's迁移小室实验观察RBP4对SMCs迁移的影响,采用免疫印迹实验技术检测Akt的磷酸化水平,采用Boyden's小室实验观察PI3K抑制剂LY294002预处理细胞对RBP4促SMCs迁移的影响,应用MTT比色实验结合流式细胞仪技术,检测RBP4对SMCs细胞增殖及细胞周期的影响。结果:RBP4呈剂量依赖性诱导大鼠血管SMCs迁移(P0.05);RBP4处理细胞显著增加了Akt磷酸化;PI3K抑制剂LY294002预处理细胞则显著抑制了RBP4的促迁移作用(P0.05);RBP4处理有增加SMCs数量的趋势,且可轻微阻滞细胞进入S期,但未达到统计学显著性(P0.05)。结论:RBP4通过PI3K-Akt通路诱导大鼠血管SMCs迁移,对细胞增殖及细胞周期则无显著影响。     

Heparin selectively inhibits a protein kinase C-dependent mechanism of cell cycle progression in calf aortic smooth muscle cells [published erratum appears in J Cell Biol 1990 Mar;110(3):863]

The proliferation of arterial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis. Previous studies have indicated that the glycosaminoglycan heparin specifically inhibited the growth of vascular SMCs in vivo and in culture, although the precise mechanism(s) of action have not been elucidated. In this study, we have examined the ability of specific mitogens (PDGF, EGF, heparin-binding growth factors, phorbol esters, and insulin) to stimulate SMC proliferation. Our results indicate that SMCs derived from different species and vascular sources respond differently to these growth factors. We next examined the ability of heparin to inhibit the proliferative responses to these mitogens. In calf aortic SMCs, heparin inhibits a protein kinase C-dependent pathway for mitogenesis. Detailed cell cycle analysis revealed several new features of the effects of heparin on SMCs. For example, heparin has two effects on the Go----S transition: it delays entry into S phase and also reduces the number of cells entering the cycle from Go. Using two separate experimental approaches, we found that heparin must be present during the last 4 h before S phase, suggesting a mid-to-late G1 heparin block. In addition, our data indicate that heparin-treated SMCs, while initially blocked in mid-to-late G1, slowly move back into a quiescent growth state in the continued presence of heparin. These results suggest that heparin may have multiple targets for its antiproliferative effect.     

EGF family ligand-dependent phenotypic modulation of smooth muscle cells through EGF receptor

The phenotypic modulation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) is closely associated with the development and progression of various SMC diseases. We investigated the molecular mechanism of phenotypic modulation triggered by EGF family ligands using a primary culture system of differentiated SMCs. Among four EGF-receptor (EGFR) family members, the EGFR was solely activated by EGF, heparin-binding EGF (HB-EGF), transforming growth factor alpha (TGF alpha), epiregulin (ER), and betacellulin (BTC), resulting in induction of phenotypic modulation of SMCs. This effect was mediated through the coordinated activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) pathways. These results suggest that EGF family ligand- and EGFR-triggered signaling pathways are critically involved in the phenotypic modulation of SMCs.     

Divergent effects of canonical and non‐canonical TGF‐β signalling on mixed contractile‐synthetic smooth muscle cell phenotype in human Marfan syndrome aortic root aneurysms

Aortic root aneurysm formation is a cardinal feature of Marfan syndrome (MFS) and likely TGF‐β driven via Smad (canonical) and ERK (non‐canonical) signalling. The current study assesses human MFS vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotype, focusing on individual contributions by Smad and ERK, with Notch3 signalling identified as a novel compensatory mechanism against TGF‐β‐driven pathology. Although significant ERK activation and mixed contractile gene expression patterns were observed by traditional analysis, this did not directly correlate with the anatomic site of the aneurysm. Smooth muscle cell phenotypic changes were TGF‐β‐dependent and opposed by ERK in vitro, implicating the canonical Smad pathway. Bulk SMC RNA sequencing after ERK inhibition showed that ERK modulates cell proliferation, apoptosis, inflammation, and Notch signalling via Notch3 in MFS. Reversing Notch3 overexpression with siRNA demonstrated that Notch3 promotes several protective remodelling pathways, including increased SMC proliferation, decreased apoptosis and reduced matrix metalloproteinase activity, in vitro. In conclusion, in human MFS aortic SMCs: (a) ERK activation is enhanced but not specific to the site of aneurysm formation; (b) ERK opposes TGF‐β‐dependent negative effects on SMC phenotype; (c) multiple distinct SMC subtypes contribute to a ‘mixed’ contractile‐synthetic phenotype in MFS aortic aneurysm; and (d) ERK drives Notch3 overexpression, a potential pathway for tissue remodelling in response to aneurysm formation.     

Role of PKC and TGF-beta receptor in glucose-induced proliferation of smooth muscle cells

The role of protein kinase C (PKC) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta in the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) under a high glucose condition was investigated. [3H]-thymidine incorporation under 20 mM glucose was significantly accelerated compared with that under 5.5 mM glucose, and this increase was inhibited by an anti-TGF-beta antibody or a PKC-beta specific inhibitor, LY333531. The amount of active and total TGF-beta1 in the conditioned media did not differ between 5.5 and 20 mM glucose. However, the expression of TGF-beta receptor type II under 20 mM glucose was significantly increased, but that of the TGF-beta receptor type I was not. This increased expression of the TGF-beta receptor type II was prevented by LY333531. These observations suggest that the increased expression of the TGF-beta receptor type II via PKC-beta plays an important role in the accelerated proliferation of SMCs under a high glucose condition, leading to the development of diabetic macroangiopathy.