Engineered Smooth Muscle Tissues: Regulating Cell Phenotype with the Scaffold

Culturing cells on three-dimensional, biodegradable scaffolds may create tissues suitable either for reconstructive surgery applications or as novel in vitro model systems. In this study, we have tested the hypothesis that the phenotype of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in three-dimensional, engineered tissues is regulated by the chemistry of the scaffold material. Specifically, we have directly compared cell growth and patterns of extracellular matrix (ECM) (e.g. , elastin and collagen) gene expression on two types of synthetic polymer scaffolds and type I collagen scaffolds. The growth rates of SMCs on the synthetic polymer scaffolds were significantly higher than on type I collagen sponges. The rate of elastin production by SMCs on polyglycolic acid (PGA) scaffolds was 3.5 +/- 1.1-fold higher than that on type I collagen sponges on Day 11 of culture. In contrast, the collagen production rate on type I collagen sponges was 3.3 +/- 1.1-fold higher than that on PGA scaffolds. This scaffold-dependent switching between elastin and collagen gene expression was confirmed by Northern blot analysis. The finding that the scaffold chemistry regulates the phenotype of SMCs independent of the scaffold physical form was confirmed by culturing SMCs on two-dimensional films of the scaffold materials. It is likely that cells adhere to these scaffolds via different ligands, as the major protein adsorbed from the serum onto synthetic polymers was vitronectin, whereas fibronectin and vitronectin were present at high density on type I collagen sponges. In summary, this study demonstrates that three-dimensional smooth muscle-like tissues can be created by culturing SMCs on three-dimensional scaffolds, and that the phenotype of the SMCs is strongly regulated by the scaffold chemistry. These engineered tissues provide novel, three-dimensional models to study cellular interaction with ECM in vitro.     

The Pro-Proliferative Effects of Nicotine and Its Underlying Mechanism on Rat Airway Smooth Muscle Cells

Recent studies have shown that nicotine, a major component of cigarette smoke, can stimulate the proliferation of non-neuronal cells. Cigarette smoking can promote a variety of pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), atherosclerosis, and cancer. A predominant feature of COPD is airway remodeling, which includes increased airway smooth muscle (ASM) mass. The mechanisms underlying ASM remodeling in COPD have not yet been fully elucidated. Here, we show that nicotine induces a profound and time-dependent increase in DNA synthesis in rat airway smooth muscle cells (RASMCs) in vitro. Nicotine also significantly increased the number of RASMCs, which was associated with the increased expression of Cyclin D1, phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (RB) and was dependent on the activation of Akt. The activation of Akt by nicotine occurred within minutes and depended upon the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAchRs). Activated Akt increased the phosphorylation of downstream substrates such as GSK3β. Our data suggest that the binding of nicotine to the nAchRs on RASMCs can regulate cellular proliferation by activating the Akt pathway.     

Reaction of Human Smooth Muscle Antibody with Liver Cells

SMOOTH muscle auto-antibody (SMA), demonstrable in cryostat sections of human myometrium or rat stomach by indirect immunofluorescence, is one of the serological markers of autoimmune forms of hepatitis¹. It is present also in the sera of most cases of acute infective hepatitis².     

Effects of Trimethoxystilbene on Proliferation and Apoptosis of Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells

Proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMC) is an important contributor to the progress of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Anti-inflammatory therapies may have therapeutic applicability for PAH. Resveratrol (RES) has prominent anti-inflammatory effects in vitro, but in vivo its beneficial effects are limited by short systemic half life and poor lipotrophy. A derivative of RES, trimethoxystilbene (TMS), has higher lipotropy and extended half life compared with RES, and can potentially overcome the limitations of RES. In the present study, we studied the effects of TMS and RES on proliferation and apoptosis of PASMC stimulated with Tumor Necrosis Factor-??. The effects on PASMC proliferation were quantified by MTT, while apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry (Annexin V/propidium iodide assay). We observed strong inhibitory effects of TMS on the growth of PASMC, and these effects were 20 times more potent than those of RES. We further documented induction of apoptosis in PASMC treated with TMS, again, to a higher degree than with RES. In conclusion, TMS is more potent than RES in the inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis of PASMC, demonstrating its potentially beneficial role for treating PAH.     

番茄红素对血管平滑肌细胞增殖与凋亡的影响

目的:VSMCs增殖是动脉粥样硬化的主要病理过程之一.本研究通过观察番茄红素对人血管平滑肌细胞(VSMC)增殖和凋亡的影响,并探讨与Toll样受体4(TLR-4)有关的信号通路相关分子机制,旨在为番茄红素治疗动脉粥样硬化提供理论基础.方法:番茄红素处理体外培养的VSMC,分别应用MTT及流式细胞术分析处理后的VSMC增殖及凋亡情况;采用荧光定量PCR和Western blot检测处理后VSMC的TLR-4及骨髓分化分子88 (MyD88)表达水平的变化;ELISA检测番茄红素对VSMC肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)及白细胞介素6 (IL-6)分泌量的影响.结果:番茄红素处理后VSMC细胞增殖速度降低,凋亡增加;番茄红素处理后VSMC内TLR-4及MyD88的表达降低,TNF-α及IL-6分泌减少.结论:番茄红素可抑制VSMC生长增殖;促进凋亡,从而发挥治疗动脉粥样硬化的作用,其机制可能与TLR-4及MyD88表达降低、TNF-α及IL-6分泌减少有关.     

平滑肌内向整流钾通道(K_(IR))

平滑肌内向整流钾通道在维持和调节细胞膜电位中发挥重要作用,并可能成为新的治疗靶点.综述了其分子学基础、电生理特性、生理功能和调控机理等研究进展.     

Effects of a Component of Green Tea on the Proliferation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

The effects of a component of green tea on the proliferation of smooth muscle cells were measured in terms of [³H]thymidine uptake. When green tea tannin mixture was added to the medium of cultured smooth muscle cells, it suppressed the proliferation of the cells dose-dependently. Similarly to the effects of the green tea tannin mixture, (–)-epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate, its main ingredient, had an inhibitory effect on smooth muscle cell proliferation at a low concentration. (–)-Epicatechin 3-O-gallate was also an effective component. Among four types of gallate-free tannin, (–)-epigallocatechin, (–)-epicatechin, and (+)-catechin showed significant dose-dependent inhibition of smooth muscle cell proliferation. However, caffeine and theanine were found to have no such action.     

Effects of NS1608 on MaxiK Channels in Smooth Muscle Cells from Urinary Bladder

Using the patch-clamp technique, we have characterized membrane currents in single detrusor smooth muscle cells from rat and human urinary bladder. From the voltage- and Ca²⁺-dependence of the current as well as the single channel conductance we conclude that rat and human urinary bladder smooth muscle cells express MaxiK channels. In smooth muscle cells from rat urinary bladder we tested the action of NS1608 on current through these MaxiK channels. Application of 10 μm NS1608 increased the amplitude of the current and this increase could be explained by a shift in the activation voltage of the MaxiK channels ∼100 mV towards more negative potentials. Charybdotoxin as well as paxilline, well known blockers of MaxiK channels, were able to reduce current through MaxiK channels in our cell preparation. In addition, application of 10 μm NS1608 hyperpolarized the membrane potential of the investigated cells. This hyperpolarization could be antagonized by the application of paxilline. We conclude that application of NS1608 results in the opening of MaxiK channels under physiological conditions that leads to a hyperpolarization of the cells. This hyperpolarization in turn could relax urinary bladder smooth muscle cells. MaxiK channels in these cells could therefore play a role in directly controlling muscle tone by regulating the membrane potential. This opens up the possibility of MaxiK channels being targets for the treatment of urge incontinence. Received: 19 July/Revised: 20 September 1999     

平滑肌细胞骨架结构及其信号调节途径

平滑肌细胞骨架是一个复杂的动态性网络,是细胞生命活动不可缺少的细胞结构。Rho通过活化其下游靶分子促进应力纤维的形成,其中Rho—associated coiled—coil kinase(ROCK)和Dial在该过程中起关键作用;PKC通过在细胞内不同定位的亚型使细胞骨架蛋白磷酸化,发挥其调节细胞骨架重构的作用。两条信号转导途径通过Src途径相互联系,共同参与细胞骨架动力学的调节。     

外加直流电场对血管平滑肌细胞形态及迁移行为的影响

在外加直流电场(electricalfields,EFs)作用下血管平滑肌细胞(VSMCs)膜表面细胞生长因子受体表达发生明显的变化,并影响细胞形态、迁移的特性。通过EFs干预装置干预体外培养的大鼠主动脉VSMCs,记录和分析细胞图像,研究不同强度电场、不同作用时间下VSMCs迁移和细胞形态的变化,并用免疫细胞化学或免疫荧光染色方法检测与VSMCs迁移相关的血小板衍化生长因子受体(PDGFR)、血管紧张素II1型受体(AT1R)和2型受体(AT2R)等受体的表达情况,研究EFs影响VSMCs形态及迁移的机制。研究结果提示,在EFs干预作用下,VSMCs膜PDGFR表达增加,部分细胞呈不对称分布,在EFs阴极面较集中;细胞中AT1R表达亦增加,但无明显不对称分布现象;AT2R表达没有改变;EFs长时间作用下,培养的VSMCs有明显的电场趋化性,细胞向阴极迁移的距离明显高于无EFs作用对照组,细胞膜向阴极方向伸展,发生形状改变,定向迁移依赖于EFs强度。EFs作用下,部分细胞生长因子受体的表达上调和重分布,可能与细胞定向迁移的启动和维持有关。     

同型半胱氨酸对大鼠血管平滑肌细胞增殖的作用

血中同型半胱氨酸（ｈｏｍｏｃｙｓｔｅｉｎｅ,ＨＣＹ）浓度的升高已成为动脉粥样硬化发生的一个独立危险因子．为进一步阐明ＨＣＹ促进血管平滑肌细胞（ｖａｓｃｕｌａｒｓｍｏｏｔｈｍｕｓｃｌｅｃｅｌｓ,ＶＳＭＣｓ）增殖,从而引起动脉粥样硬化发生的机理．本实验采用细胞计数、３Ｈ－ＴｄＲ参入、细胞周期分析、Ｎｏｒｔｈｅｒｎ杂交方法证明,一定剂量的ＨＣＹ可促进离体培养的ＷＫＹ大鼠血管平滑肌细胞增殖,使其ＤＮＡ合成增加,细胞周期中Ｓ期细胞所占比例增加４３％,并促进ｃ－ｍｙｃ与ｃ－ｆｏｓ原癌基因ｍＲＮＡ表达增加．提示ＨＣＹ可能通过促进ＶＳＭＣｓ增殖而诱发动脉粥样硬化     

机械拉伸对血管平滑肌细胞粘附及生长的影响

通过自行研制的“四点弯曲梁”实验装置对血管平滑肌细胞（VSMC）加载培养,并结合显微形态观察和计算机图像处理系统测量细胞铺展投影面积、微管吸吮实验系统检测细胞与表面的粘附力、α-肌动蛋白(actin)免疫组化试验,了解细胞骨架发育和排列取向、流式细胞仪检测细胞动力学以及细胞生长行为等认识VSMC对应变刺激的响应.发现VSMC粘附铺展与实验时间正相关,细胞粘附力、铺展面积、单位面积粘附力4 h后实验组与对照组无显著性差异.VSMC内α-actin发育随加载时间延长呈增加趋势.细胞动力学检测实验组加载24 h后VSMC增殖活动受到抑制.VSMC可能通过调节细胞铺展行为、胞内应力纤维发育等主动机制,实现对机械拉伸的适应性改建.应变刺激有利于体外培养的VSMC维持收缩表型.     

d-尼古丁对血管平滑肌细胞迁移的影响

为了在分子水平上揭示吸烟导致动脉粥样硬化的机制,探讨了烟草致病的主要成分d-尼古丁对豚鼠大脑基底动脉血管平滑肌细胞GbaSM-4迁移作用的影响。应用Boyden小室实验发现,d-尼古丁具有促进GbaSM-4细胞迁移的作用。免疫荧光染色显示,在d-尼古丁作用下有GbaSM-4细胞伪足内肌动蛋白表达和分布增加的现象。为了进一步阐明d-尼古丁促进平滑肌细胞迁移作用的分子机制,应用RT-PCR方法检测到在GbaSM-4细胞内有α7型烟碱乙酰胆碱受体的表达。应用烟碱乙酰胆碱受体的特异性抑制剂甲基牛扁碱和肌肉收缩的关键酶——肌球蛋白轻链激酶（myosin light chain kinase,MLCK）抑制剂ML-9作用GbaSM-4细胞后,发现d-尼古丁对GbaSM-4细胞的诱导迁移作用被明显的抑制。采用RNA干扰技术,成功地使GbaSM-4细胞内MLCK的表达水平下调,观察到d-尼古丁对GbaSM-4细胞的诱导迁移作用也被明显的抑制。上述研究结果表明,d-尼古丁以趋化因子的作用促进血管平滑肌细胞迁移,其分子机制可能与α7型烟碱乙酰胆碱受体和MLCK等因素有关,这一发现为揭示吸烟导致动脉粥样硬化提供了实验依据。     

己糖激酶介导小豆蔻明改善血管平滑肌细胞糖代谢的作用

目的：探讨小豆蔻明对胰岛素抵抗状态（IR）血管平滑肌细胞（VSMCs）糖代谢的影响及其作用机制。方法：采用高糖（2.5×l0-2 mol·L-1）高胰岛素（100 U·L-1）培养VSMCs,72 h后加入小豆蔻明培养48 h,观察培养液中葡萄糖消耗量、细胞内己糖激酶活性以及细胞增殖。结果：高糖高胰岛素培养72h后,血管平滑肌细胞糖消耗量降低（P〈0.01）;小豆蔻明能显著性增加IR细胞的平均糖消耗量（P〈0.01）,增强己糖激酶活性（P〈0.01）;同时明显抑制高糖高胰岛素引起的VSMCs增殖（P〈0.01）。结论：小豆蔻明能增强己糖激酶活性,改善IR状态下细胞糖代谢;同时抑制高糖高胰岛素刺激引起的VSMCs异常增殖。     

Electrical Transmission at the Nexus between Smooth Muscle Cells

The hypothesis that nexuses between cells are responsible for the core conductor properties of tissues was tested using smooth muscle preparations from the taenia coli of guinea pigs. Action potentials recorded from small diameter preparations across a sucrose gap change from monophasic to diphasic when a shunt resistor is connected across the gap. This indicates that transmission between smooth muscle cells is electrical, because the resistor only allows current to flow. Nexal fusion of cell membranes occurs especially where one cell sends a large bulbous projection into a neighbor. Hypertonic solutions rupture the nexuses between smooth muscle cells. Hypertonicity also increases the resistance of a bundle across the sucrose gap and blocks propagation of action potentials. Thus the structural and functional changes in smooth muscle due to hypertonicity correlate with the hypothesis.     

己糖激酶介导小豆蔻明改善血管平滑肌细胞糖代谢的作用

目的:探讨小豆蔻明对胰岛素抵抗状态(IR)血管平滑肌细胞(VSMCs)糖代谢的影响及其作用机制。方法:采用高糖(2.5×l0-2 mol·L-1)高胰岛素(100 U·L-1)培养VSMCs,72 h后加入小豆蔻明培养48 h,观察培养液中葡萄糖消耗量、细胞内己糖激酶活性以及细胞增殖。结果:高糖高胰岛素培养72h后,血管平滑肌细胞糖消耗量降低(P<0.01);小豆蔻明能显著性增加IR细胞的平均糖消耗量(P<0.01),增强己糖激酶活性(P<0.01);同时明显抑制高糖高胰岛素引起的VSMCs增殖(P<0.01)。结论:小豆蔻明能增强己糖激酶活性,改善IR状态下细胞糖代谢;同时抑制高糖高胰岛素刺激引起的VSMCs异常增殖。     

细胞代数和密度影响血管平滑肌细胞表型重塑和收缩反应性的机制

探讨细胞代数和密度对血管平滑肌细胞(vascular smooth muscle cell,VSMC)表型重塑能力的影响及机制,观察血清饥饿诱导的不同代数和密度的VSMC骨架的组构特征及收缩反应性,检测细胞骨架中收缩蛋白的含量和比例变化。结果发现,低代数(3代)、高密度的VSMC经血清饥饿诱导后易于形成束状、极性排列的应力纤维,乙酰胆碱(Ach)刺激可产生明显的收缩反应。Western印迹显示,3代高密度VSMC中,平滑肌22α(SM22α)在F-肌动蛋白中的组成比例及其在F-/G-肌动蛋白的含量之比明显高于8代细胞。结果提示,SM22α在F-肌动蛋白中的分布比例可能决定了应力纤维的排布方式,是细胞获得收缩性的主要调节因素,在VSMC表型重塑过程中具有重要意义。     

Steroid-sensitive Gene 1 Is a Novel Cyclic GMP-dependent Protein Kinase I Substrate in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

NO, via its second messenger cGMP, activates protein kinase GI (PKGI) to induce vascular smooth muscle cell relaxation. The mechanisms by which PKGI kinase activity regulates cardiovascular function remain incompletely understood. Therefore, to identify novel protein kinase G substrates in vascular cells, a λ phage coronary artery smooth muscle cell library was constructed and screened for phosphorylation by PKGI. The screen identified steroid-sensitive gene 1 (SSG1), which harbors several predicted PKGI phosphorylation sites. We observed direct and cGMP-regulated interaction between PKGI and SSG1. In cultured vascular smooth muscle cells, both the NO donor S-nitrosocysteine and atrial natriuretic peptide induced SSG1 phosphorylation, and mutation of SSG1 at each of the two predicted PKGI phosphorylation sites completely abolished its basal phosphorylation by PKGI. We detected high SSG1 expression in cardiovascular tissues. Finally, we found that activation of PKGI with cGMP regulated SSG1 intracellular distribution.